XXXV.—CHLORAL HYDRATE
It was formerly largely used as a hypnotic, and many fatal consequences ensued. It is prepared from alcohol and chlorine.
Symptoms.—Deep sleep, loss of muscular power, diminished or abolished reflex action and sensibility, followed by loss of consciousness and marked fall of temperature. Pulse may become quick, and face flushed or livid and bloated. Prolonged use of this drug may produce a peculiar eruption on the skin. Supposed to act in the blood by being decomposed into chloroform and sodium formate. Its effects are due chiefly to depression of the central nervous system, the medulla being the last part of the nervous system to be attacked.
Method of Extraction from the Stomach.—By distillation in strongly alkaline solutions, when it may be obtained as chloroform and tested as such.
Treatment.—Stomach-tube or emetic. Hypodermic injections of strychnine. Keep patient warm, and inject a pint of hot strong coffee into the rectum. Nitrite of amyl and artificial respiration.
Tests.—Heated with caustic potash, it yields chloroform and potassium formate. The chloroform is readily recognized by its odour, and, if the solution be concentrated, by separating as a heavy layer at the bottom of the test-tube.