Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed.

by Pierre Joseph Macquer

We have shewn, that the production of the æthereal liquor is owing to a semi-decomposition of the Spirit of Wine effected by the Vitriolic Acid during the distillation; that this Acid continuing to act, produces a total decomposition, or perfect separation of the Oil and Phlegm of the Spirit of Wine from each other; and that the Vitriolic Acid, uniting with these two principles, forms the sulphureous phlegm, the fluid oil, and the bituminous matter, all frequently mentioned above. Why then, in this experiment of Mr. Hellot's, do we obtain only a Spirit of Wine replete with Æther, while none of the other productions appear? The reason is a very natural one, and very clear: it is this; the potter's clay containing an earth of that kind which we called Absorbent, because it possesses the property of uniting with Acids, that earth joins with the Vitriolic Acid in the mixture, reduces it to a Neutral Salt, and thereby prevents its continuing to act upon the Spirit of Wine, as is necessary to the total decomposition thereof.

Mr. Hellot says on this occasion, "that part of the Vitriolic Acid turning its action on this soluble earth or bole, which it finds in the potter's clay, ceases to act on the inflammable principle of the Spirit of Wine; that, consequently, as there is not an immediate and continuous combination of these two substances, neither a resin nor a bitumen can result therefrom. This is so true, that a great part of the Oil of Vitriol may be afterwards recovered from the potter's clay as colourless as when it was first used."

Mr. Hellot makes use of the following method for procuring the Æther from the acid vinous Spirit obtained by this distillation. "You must," says he, "put all this liquor into a glass body, made of one piece with its head; pour upon it, through the hole in the upper part of the head, twice or thrice as much well-water, the hardest to the taste, and the most impregnated with gypsum, that can be got. Very pure water, he observes, produces much less Æther.

"If the vinous acid Spirit have such a sulphureous smell, as to occasion a suspicion that it contains a little too much of a Volatile Vitriolic Acid, you must add to the water two or three drams of Salt of potash to absorb that Acid; and then distil with a lamp-heat.

"While any true Æther remains in the mixture, you will see it ascend like a white pillar issuing from the midst of the liquor, and consisting of an infinite number of air bubbles inexpressibly small. Nothing seems to condense in the cavity of the head, which always remains clear, and without any visible humidity. The gutts which light on the sides of the receiver, instead of forming a net-work thereon, as Spirit of Wine doth when it is a little aqueous, spread to the breadth of two inches or more, when they consist of true Æther. As soon as you perceive this track begin to grow considerably narrower, the fire must be put out; for what rises afterwards will be mixed with water, and communicate that fault to the Æther already collected in the receiver.

"Then pour this ætherial liquor into a long bottle, and add to it an equal quantity of well-water. Shake the bottle; the liquor will become milky, and the true Æther will instantly separate, float upon the water, and mix no more with it. Separate it then by a siphon, and keep it in a glass bottle shut close with a glass stopple."

PROCESS II.

Spirit of Wine combined with Spirit of Nitre. Sweet Spirit of Nitre.

Into an English retort of crystal glass put some highly rectified Spirit of Wine; and, by means of a glass funnel with a long pipe, let fall into your Spirit of Wine a few drops of the Smoking Spirit of Nitre. There will arise in the retort an effervescence attended with heat, red vapours, and a hissing noise like that of a live coal quenched in water. Shake the vessel a little, that the liquors may mix thoroughly, and that the heat may be equally communicated to the whole. Then add more Spirit of Nitre, but in a very small quantity, and with the same precautions as before. Continue thus adding Spirit of Nitre, by little and little at a time, till you have put into the retort a quantity equal to a third part of your Spirit of Wine. Let this mixture stand quiet, in a cool place, for ten or twelve hours; then set it to digest in a very gentle warmth for eight or ten days, having first luted on a receiver to the retort.