Properties.—A transparent, colorless, mobile liquid, having a characteristic odor and a burning and sweetish taste. Ether is highly volatile and inflammable; its vapor, when mixed with air and ignited, explodes violently. Miscible in all proportions with alcohol, chloroform, benzine, benzol, fixed and volatile oils. Ether is a solvent for fats, oils, alkaloids, resins, gutta percha and guncotton. Upon evaporation ether should have no residue. Ether vapor is heavier than air and consequently etherization should never be done above a light or fire.
Dose.—Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 ozs.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 drs.; dogs, 10 ms. to 1 dr.
As an anaesthetic, horses and cattle require from 4 to 16 ozs. Smaller animals from 4 drs. to 4 ozs. Chloroform is usually prescribed for large animals and ether for smaller animals. Ether never paralyzes a healthy heart, while chloroform sometimes does. For anaesthetic purposes see anesthesia.
PREPARATIONS
SPIRITUS AETHERIS—SPIRIT OF ETHER
Composed of ether, 325 parts, alcohol to make 1000.
Dose.—Same as ether.
SPIRITUS AETHERIS COMPOSITUS—COMPOUND SPIRIT OF ETHER—HOFFMAN’S ANODYNE
Composed of ether, 325 parts; alcohol, 650 parts; ethereal oil, 25 parts.
Dose.—Same as for ether.