SPIRITUS ÆTHERIS SULPHURICI COMPOSITUS. L.
This is intended as a substitute for the Liquor Anodynus of Hoffmann, although its composition was never revealed by him. In addition to its stimulating properties, it is supposed to add those of an anodyne nature. Dose, fʒss to fʒij. See Form. 7.
SPIRITUS CAMPHORÆ. L.
Spirit of Camphor; vulgo, Camphorated Spirits.
This preparation is principally useful as an external application. As an embrocation to chilblains it is often of essential service; and it has been found useful when thus applied to parts affected with chronic rheumatism and paralytic numbness. It is instantly decomposed by water, which precipitates the camphor. It furnishes an easy mode of forming camphor mixture extemporaneously, and if a few drops be rubbed with mucilage, we are thus enabled to form a stronger preparation than by the ordinary process.
SPIRITUS RECTIFICATUS. L.
Alcohol Fortius. E. Spiritus Vinosus Rectificatus. D.
In this preparation, alcohol is nearly in the highest state of concentration, in which it can be easily prepared in the large way for the purposes of trade; its specific gravity however varies in the different pharmacopœias, viz. the London and Edinburgh preparation is stated to have that of ·835, while the rectified spirit of Dublin is ordered to be only ·840. The former at the temperature of 60° Fah. consists of 85 parts of pure alcohol and 15 of water, the latter only of 83 per cent. of alcohol. It is a most powerful stimulant, but is rarely employed except in combination; as a pharmaceutical agent, its use is highly valuable and extensive. (See Tincturæ.) During the evaporation of spirit, a considerable reduction of temperature takes place, which renders it a useful ingredient in refrigerating lotions. See Form. 147, 148. It has lately been ascertained by Mr. Ritchie of Perth, that “the degree of cold induced by the evaporation of spirit of different degrees of strength are proportional to the strength of these spirits, reckoning from the degrees of cold induced by the evaporation of water.” The application of this theorem will enable us to ascertain the strength of a spirit by the “Differential Thermometer” of Leslie.
SPIRITUS TENUIOR. L.
Alcohol Dilutum. E.