Alcohol

(al'-ko-hol). Ethyl alcohol, A liquid obtained by the distillation of fermented grain or starchy substance. It is used in pharmacy as a solvent for resins, and as a base for all tinctures. Commercial alcohol contains 91 per cent, of absolute alcohol, with 9 per cent, of water. It is inflammable, colorle , and po e es a pungent odor and burning taste. Sometimes it is used externally as a stimulant lotion. Internally, it is a powerful cerebral excitant; in large doses a depre ant, narcotic poison, producing muscular incoordination, delirium, and coma. It is a food within the limits of Jjper day; its continued use is apt to result in epilepsy, amblyopia, and insanity. In the form of wine, whisky, or brandy, it is valuable in diphtheria, adynamic fevers, and poisoning by cardiac depre ants. A., Absolute, spirit containing no water. A., Amyl, commonly known as "Potato Spirit" and " Fusel Oil"/ a transparent, colorle liquid. A., Anhydrous, one free from water. A., Aromatic, an alcohol containing phenyl. A., Benzyl, obtained from benzaldehyd by the action of sodium amalgam. It is a colorle liquid, with a faint aromatic odor; boils at 206°; its sp. gr. at o° is 1.062. It di olves with difficulty in water, but readily in alcohol and ether. A. deodoratum, deodorized alcohol, containing 92.5 per cent, by weight of ethyl-alcohol and 7.5 per cent. of water. A., Dilute, composed of 41 per cent, by weight of ethyl -alcohol. A., Ethyl. See Alcohol. A. of Fermentation, has a disagreeable odor; boils at 129-130°; occurs in fusel-oil; consists mainly of inactive isobutyl carbinol. A., Methyl, known as "Wood Spirit." A., Phenic. 'see Acid, Carbolic.