ether

(c’ther) [Gr. αἰθήρ air; L. a’ther]. 1. A fluid of the utmost tenuity, which is conceived to fill all space, and to serve as a medium for the transmi ion of waves of heat and light. Called also luminiferous ether. 2. Ethyl oxid, (C,H;),0, a highly volatile liquid, obtained by the action of strong sulphuric acid upon ordinary alcohol. 3. A term applicd to various volatile liquids, mostly containing ethylic ether or resembling it. 4. Any member of a group of bodies resembling ordinary ether in composition. Such are methyl, ropyl, amyl, and butyl ethers: these are double ydrocarbon radicals united with oxygen. abso- lute e., a liquid of peculiar odor and burning taste, with a specific gravity of 0.71. Ordinary ether, or dilute ether, contains 83 per cent. of ether and 17 per cent. of alcohol. Stronger ether (a’ther for'tior) contains 4 per cent. of alcohol. Ether is used chietly as an anesthetic, by inhala- An incorrect Both tion: it is used also internally as an antispasmodic and heart stimulant; hypodermically as an anodyne and a stimulant in collapse; and in the form of spray to produce local anesthesia by chilling. | Dose, 30 min.-} fl.oz. (2-10 ¢.c.); hypodermically, 1 dr. (4 ¢.¢.). Dose of spirit: of ether, 1 dr. (4 ¢.c.); compound spirit of ether (Hoffmann’s anodyne), 3-1 dr. (2-4 ¢.c.). acetic 6., ethyl acetate. chloric e., a mixture of chloroform and alcohol. compound e., any compound of a univalent fatty hydrocarbon with an acid. Compound ethers are also called esters. @.-cone, an apparatus for the administration of ether by inhalation. formic e., ethyl formate. hydramyl e., hydra my! and ethylic ether in equal’ parts: a local and general anesthetic. hydriodic e., ethyl iodid. hydrobromic e., ethyl bromid. hydrochloric e., ethyl chlorid. luminiferous @. See ether (1st def.). methyl e., methyl oxid, (CH;),0: a liquid ‘anesthetic. mixed e., any cther containing two distinct hydrocarbons. nitrous 6., ethy! nitrite. petroleum e., a colorle liquid derived from petroleum: used to produce cold by its rapid evaporation. stronger e., ethylic ether with 4 per cent. of alcohol. sulph hur e. See thio-e. sulphuric e., ordinary ether: so called because made with sulphuric acid. thio-e., a sulphur ether: an ether in which sulphur replaces oxygen.