[3] 1·064—H. M. Witt (Ure’s ‘Dict., of Arts, M. & M.,’ 5th ed.); 1·063 to 1·065—Muspratt (‘Chemistry, Theor. & Prac.,’ p. 2); 1·06296—Pereira (4th ed.); 1·0629—Brande; 1·062—Ure; 1·057—Berzelius (‘Jahr. ber.,’ xvi, 192):—variations evidently arising from difference of purity in the acid examined, or from difference of temperature. The sp. gr. 1·080, with other numbers given by Prof. Lehmann (‘Chemistry,’ Day’s Transl.), is probably a misprint.
[4] This is the boiling-point given by the best authorities, and confirmed by Gerhardt (‘Chimie Organique,’ i, 718). Ure made it 230°(an error corrected in 5th ed.), Lehmann says 243·140, and others give it at 235°, 240°, &c. An acid of about 80% (sp. gr. 1·073 to 1·0743), its maximum density, boils at 219° to 220° Fahr.
Char., Tests, &c.—1. Free acetic acid reddens litmus paper, like the other acids; and may be readily recognised by its odour and volatility:—2. Sesquichloride of iron being added, and the acid then nearly saturated with ammonia, the fluid acquires a deep dark-red colour.
Estim. See Acetimetry. Organic mixtures that cannot be thus tested, or from which the acid cannot be obtained by simple distillation, may be neutralised, if acid, with carbonate of lime, boiled for a few minutes, cooled, filtered, the lime precipitated with dilute sulphuric acid, and the whole submitted to distillation, when the acid contents of the distillate may be estimated as above.
Pur. By heat, it escapes (entirely) in vapour; nothing is precipitated on the addition of either hydrosulphuric acid, nitrate of silver, or chloride of barium. Sometimes it is contaminated with sulphurous acid, which may be recognised by putting a fluid drachm of the acid, mixed with an ounce of distilled water and half a drachm of pure hydrochloric acid, also a few pieces of granulated zinc, into a flask. While effervescence continues suspend a slip of white blotting-paper, moistened with solution of sub-acetate of lead, in the upper part of the flask above the liquid, for about five minutes. The paper should not be discoloured, and thus indicate the absence of sulphurous acid.
Adult. The acetic acid of the shops is chiefly adulterated with water. Sulphurous acid and lead are accidental contaminations; that of the latter often reaches 2%, making the acid poisonous.
Phys. eff., &c. In its concentrated state it is a corrosive and an acrid poison. Taken internally, it acts by dissolving the animal tissues, and by thus destroying the organisation causes death, like the other acids. In the dilute form it acts as a stimulant, rubefacient, alterative, refrigerant, and escharotic.
Uses. Acetic acid is much employed by the chemist and pharmaceutist, in the manufacture of various preparations, and in analysis; by the perfumer, in the composition of several of his most refreshing and agreeable scents; and in medicine, as an antiseptic, stimulant, rubefacient, alterative, refrigerant, and escharotic. Acetic acid (B. P.) applied by means of a piece of rag tied to the end of a small stick, is a nearly certain cure for ring-worm and scaldhead—one or two applications generally effecting a cure, and the severe smarting it causes is only of short duration; as a caustic, it removes warts and corns; a piece of lint or blotting-paper wetted with it and applied to the skin (evaporation being prevented), forms a useful extemporaneous blister. It was once employed as a disinfectant; but is now only used as a fumigation, to disguise the unpleasant smell of the sickroom and crowded assemblies. It is a popular refreshing scent in faintings, asphyxia, and nervous headache; and is a valuable rubefacient, astringent, and local stimulant. It is also used as a rubefacient and caustic in veterinary practice.
In the arts, the commercial acid (pure pyroligneous acid) is used by the engraver to etch his plates; as an antiseptic in pickling and preserving animal and vegetable substances used as food, and anatomical preparations; in dyeing and calico printing, and in the manufacture of medicated vinegars and other pharmaceutical preparations.
In the dilute state, its properties and applications are similar to those of ordinary vinegar, and are noticed under that head.