SPIRITUS ÆTHERIS NITRICI. L.
Spiritus Ætheris Nitrosi. E.
Spiritus Æthereus Nitrosus. D.
Spiritus Nitri dulcis. P.L. 1745.
Qualities. A colourless fluid of the specific gravity ·850. Odour, extremely fragrant; Taste, pungent and acidulous; it is very volatile and inflammable. Chemical Composition. A portion of nitric æther and nitric acid, combined with alcohol. Solubility. It is soluble both in water and alcohol. Incompatible Substances. With a solution of green sulphate of iron it strikes a deep olive colour, owing probably to its holding a portion of nitrous gas in solution; with the tinctures of guaiacum it produces a green or blue coagulum. Med. Uses. When properly diluted, it is refrigerant and diuretic; and has been long employed as a grateful draught in febrile affections; as a diuretic, it frequently proves a valuable auxiliary in dropsy, (see Form. 113, 116.) Dose, ♏︎x to xl. in any aqueous vehicle. By age and exposure to the air, it is gradually decomposed, and gives rise to the reproduction of nitrous acid.
SPIRITUS ÆTHERIS SULPHURICI. L.
Æther Sulphuricus cum Alcohole. E.
Liquor Æthereus Sulphuricus. D.
Spiritus Ætheris vitriolici. P.L. 1787. Spirit. Vitrioli dulcis. 1745.
Qualities. A fluid of the specific gravity ·816, consisting of two parts (by measure) of rectified spirit, and one part of sulphuric æther. Med. Uses. It has all the properties of æther, but in an inferior degree. Dose, fʒj to fʒiij.