Spiritus Vinosus Tenuior. D.
Weaker or Proof Spirit.
This is rectified spirit diluted with a certain proportion of water, and it is to be regretted that the quantity ordered for this purpose, should vary in the different Pharmacopœias; thus, according to the London and Dublin Colleges, its specific gravity is ·930, while the College of Edinburgh directs it to be of ·935. The former consists of 44 per cent. of pure alcohol, and may be formed by mixing four parts, by measure, of rectified spirit, with three of water; the latter contains only 42 per cent. of pure alcohol, and may be made by adding together equal parts of rectified spirit and distilled water. Alcohol in this state of dilution, is better adapted for taking up the principles of vegetables than rectified spirit; indeed, diluted alcohol acts upon bodies as a chemical compound, and will dissolve what neither the same proportion of water nor of alcohol would, if separately applied; we perceive therefore the importance of ensuring uniformity of strength in our spirits. (See Tincturæ.) It is necessary to remark that almost all the spirit sold under the name of “Proof Spirit,” is contaminated with empyreumatic oil, and is unfit for the purposes of pharmacy; it ought therefore to be extemporaneously prepared by mixing together rectified spirit and water, in the proportions above stated. This however is rarely done, except the liquors are intended for the toilet, and hence it has been observed, that the cordials of the apothecary are generally less grateful than those of the distiller, the latter being extremely curious in rectifying and purifying his spirit. If common water be employed for the dilution of alcohol, the resulting spirit will be turbid, owing principally to the precipitation of sulphuric salts; this circumstance lately occasioned considerable embarrassment to the Curators of the Hunterian Museum at the College of Surgeons, who were compelled to prepare their own spirit, in consequence of an excise regulation preventing the distiller from sending out any spirit of that strength which is required for their anatomical purposes. A curious fact has just been noticed in the Laboratory of the Royal Institution, which is, that diluted spirit becomes stronger by being kept in vessels that are carefully closed by bladder! whence it would seem, that alcoholic vapour transpires through this animal membrane less freely than aqueous vapour; we are at present unable to offer a satisfactory explanation of this anomalous case of distillation, but it is probably connected with the different solvent powers of these two liquids, in relation to the animal membrane. Med. Uses. Alcohol, although diluted to the degree of proof spirit, is still too strong for internal exhibition; indeed, where its use is indicated, it is more generally given in the form of wine, malt liquors, or ardent spirits, which must be regarded only as diluted alcohol, although each has a peculiarity of operation, owing to the modifying influence of the other elements of the liquid; thus Brandy[[647]] is said to be simply cordial and stomachic;[[648]] Rum,[[649]] heating and sudorific; Gin and Whiskey, diuretic; and Arrack,[[650]] styptic, heating, and narcotic; it seems also probable that a modified effect is produced by the addition of various other substances, such as sugar and acids, which latter bodies, besides their anti-narcotic powers, appear to act by favouring a more perfect combination and mutual penetration of the particles of spirit and water. Foreign brandy derives its colour from the oak cask, the intensity of which, therefore, affords some criterion of its age. The English have been in the habit of colouring their spirits with burnt sugar until lately, but now since the cause of the foreign colour is discovered, the scrapings of gall-nuts are employed for that purpose, whence the sulphate of iron is no longer a test of brandy being genuine.[[651]] The effects, also, which are produced by the habitual use of fermented liquors, differ essentially according to the kind that is drunk; thus Ale and Porter, in consequence of the nutritive matter, and perhaps the invigorating bitter with which they are charged, and the comparatively small proportion of alcohol which they contain, dispose to a plethora, which is not unfrequently terminated by apoplexy; Spirits, on the other hand, induce severe dyspepsia, obstructed and hardened liver, dropsy, and more than half of all our chronical diseases; and Dr. Darwin moreover remarks that when they arise from this cause, they are liable to become hereditary, even to the third generation, gradually increasing, if the cause be continued, till the family become extinct; with regard to Wine, Rush has truly observed that its effects, like those of tyranny in a well formed government, are first felt in the extremities, while spirits like a bold invader, seize at once upon the vitals of the constitution; the different kinds of wine, however, produce very different and even opposite effects, as stated under the history of that article, (see Vinum.) The excise officers frequently avail themselves of the peculiar power of the sub-acetate of lead to precipitate colouring matter, in order to remove from seized Holland Gin, the colour which it contains by being long kept in the tubs in which it is smuggled over. This practice, however, renders the gin liable to gripe.
SPIRITUS TEREBINTHINÆ.
See Terebinthinæ Oleum.
SPONGIA USTA. L. See Carbo Ligni.
STANNI LIMATURA. L.E.D.
The filings of Tin.
The anthelmintic properties of Tin have been explained by three different hypotheses, viz. 1. That it acts mechanically by dislodging the mucus from the intestines; if this be true, it is difficult to explain the fact of its activity being increased by pulverization. 2. That its efficacy depends upon the presence of arsenic; if so, why should the purest specimens act with equal efficacy?[[652]] 3. That it operates by generating hydrogen gas in the intestinal canal: it has been observed that this opinion is rendered probable by the fact, that sulphur increases its powers.[[653]] Dose, ʒj or ʒji, mixed with honey, treacle or conserve, and exhibited for several successive mornings, a purgative medicine being occasionally interposed, (see Form. 150.) The use of this remedy however is entirely superseded by the more efficacious exhibition of oil of turpentine.
STATICE LIMONIUM.