ALCOHOLS

a group of organic comPounds consisting of a hydrocarbon radical or group combined with one or more hydroxyl groups. According to the number of hydroxyl (a group consisting of an atom of oxygen and one of hydrogen=HO) groups present, monatomic, diatomic, triatomic, etc., a. | may be distinguished, (e.g.) ordinary a. (ethyl a. CH,CH: OH), glycol (ethylene | alcohol CH,OH.CH.OH), glycerin (glymary a’s contain the group CH.OH, | and ‘are oxidized to form a corresponding aldehyde or acid with the same number | of carbon atoms. Secondary a’s contain the group CHOH combined with two | hydrocarbon radicals, and form ketones on oxidation and acids with a le er number of carbon atoms on futher oxidation. Tertiary a’s are characterized by the group C.OH combined with three hydrocarbon radicals, and yield simpler compounds on oxidation. ‘Spirits of wine’ or ethyl alcohol is a Colorle , mobile, inflammable liquid, formed by the fermentation of sacchar- |ine liquids, the raw materials being | grapes, barley and other Cereals, pot a- | toes, mola es, sugar, honey, apples, cherries, etc. It is used in beverages, in med., and for industrial purposes as | solvent a or as fuel, In the latter case it is ‘denaturized,’ to avoid the high excise duty, by different agents according | the purpose for to which it is required, methyl a. and pyridine being most comais only 1 be raed a ie: sie eee aad The physiological effects of a. on animal organisms are mainly depre ant after a period of stimulation, and toxic effects appear when a. is taken in large quantities, causing diseases of stomach, liver, kidneys, heart, blood-ve els, and nervous system. As regards the hereditary consequences of chronic alcoholism it may be said that alcoholism is in most cases not so much the cause as the effect of a disordered nervous system.—Alcoholometry, estimation of amount of a. in liquid either by HypRomETER when a. diluted by water only, or in other cases by distilling it off. 1888), Amer. educationalist; was a ociated much with Emerson, and lectured on Transcendentalism; author of T'ablets Gor: Concord Days (1872), and other ooks.