Methyl Alcohol: Wood Naphtha.—Used to produce intoxication by painters, furniture-polishers, etc.
Symptoms are those of alcoholic poisoning, but vomiting and delirium are more persistent. Total or partial blindness may follow as a sequel of optic atrophy. A fatal result not infrequently follows.
The following table gives the points of distinction between concussion of brain, alcoholic poisoning, and opium poisoning:
| Concussion of Brain. | Alcohol. | Opium. |
| 1. Marks of violence on head | 1. No marks of violence, unless person has fallen. History will be of use. | 1. As alcohol. |
| 2. Stupor, sudden. | 2. Excitement precedes sudden stupor. | 2. Symptoms slow. Drowsiness, stupor, lethargy. |
| 3. Face pale, cold; pupils sluggish, sometimes dilated. | 3. Face flushed; pupils generally dilated. | 3. Face pale; pupils contracted. |
| 4. Remission rare. Patient recovers slowly. | 4. Partial recovery may occur, followed by death. | 4. Remission rare. |
| 5. No odour of alcohol in breath. | 5. Odour of alcohol in breath. | 5. Odour of opium in breath. |
Ether is a volatile liquid prepared from ethylic alcohol by interaction with sulphuric acid. It contains 92 per cent. of ethyl oxide (C2H5)O. It was formerly called 'sulphuric ether.' It is a colourless, inflammable liquid, having a strong and characteristic odour, specific gravity 0.735. Purified ether from which the ethylic alcohol has been removed by washing with distilled water, and most of the water by subsequent distillation in the presence of calcium chloride and lime. It is this preparation which is used for the production of general anæsthesia. It has a specific gravity of 0.722 to 0.720, and its vapour is very inflammable.
Symptoms.—When taken as a liquid, same as alcohol. When inhaled as vapour, causes slow, prolonged, and stertorous breathing; face becomes pale, lips bluish, surface of body cold. Pulse first quickens, then slows. Pupils dilated, eyes glassy and fixed, muscles become flabby and relaxed, profound anæsthesia. Then pulse sinks and coma ensues, sensation being entirely suspended. Nausea and vomiting not uncommon.
Post-Mortem Appearances.—Brain and lungs congested. Cavities of heart full of dark, liquid blood. Vessels at upper part of spinal cord congested.
Treatment.—Exposure to pure air, cold affusion, artificial respiration, galvanism.
Method of Extraction from the Contents of the Stomach.—Same as for alcohol. During distillation pass some of the vapour into concentrated solution of bichromate of potash, nitric and sulphuric acids, and note reaction as for alcohol.