Anaesthesia and Anaesthetics, General and Local (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1905. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... chapter ix. ether. Ether, ethyl oxide, ethylic ether, vinous ether, sulphuric ether has a chemical formula of C4H10O. It is said to have been discovered by Valerius Cordus about 1540, and was called by him "Oleum Vitrioli Duke." Ether fortior--stronger ether--is composed of about 94 per cent. ethyl oxide, and about 6 per cent. of alcohol containing a little water. Its specific gravity should be not higher than 0.725 at 6o F. All formulas for the preparation of ether agree in obtaining it from the action of sulphuric acid on alcohol. The term ether is used in relation to the grade recognized by the U. S. Pharmacopoeia (sp. gr., 0.725 to 0.728), which corresponds to the pure ether (Either purificatus) of the British Pharmacopoeia, which has a sp. gr. of 0.720. Ether is a thin liquid, Very diffusive, transparent, highly volatile, with a characteristic, refreshing, pungent odor and sweetish, burning taste, a slightly bitter after-taste, and a neutral reaction. It is soluble in all proportions in alcohol, chloroform, benzol, benzin, fixed and volatile oils, and in eight times its volume of water at 6o F. Its boiling point is about 98.60 F. Ether is highly inflammable, and a mixture of ether vapor and air is violently explosive when ignited. These properties of ether should be remembered when administering it in the vicinity of artificial light, or in pouring it from one receptacle to another Serious burns have resulted from attempting to use the actual cautery about the mouth under complete anaesthesia with ether. Light blue litmus paper moistened with water should not be changed when immersed in ether for ten minutes. If 10 c. c. of ether be poured in portions on blotting paper and evaporated spontaneously, no foreign odor should be perceptible after the last trace...