ALCOHOL AND NITRIC ACID. 
319 
and deferve our notice. Internally taken in water, in the quantity of 
10, 20, 30, or 40 drops, it is a powerful antispaſmodic. But its 
effects as an external application are the most remarkable. Applied 
to the forehead in the palm of the hand, it performs all the wonders 
of Dr. Ward’s volatile essence, in resolving spasms and removing ner 
vous pains in a moment, as it were by charm. Toothache and head 
ache commonly yield to it. I am inclined to think that it acts in such 
cases by a fort of revulsion. It brings on, in a moment, heat and in 
flammation upon the tkin, which, to some, become insupportable. 
But it goes off immediately when the hand is removed. It brings 
on this superficial inflammation more quickly than any blister, sina 
pism, or such application; and it is much more under command, 
for as soon as the hand is removed from the part, the heat and un 
easiness abate, and soon go off entirely. I am therefore persuaded 
that it is very proper in may cases in which it has not been thought of, 
as in pleuritic stitches, rheumatic pains, and other such cases, in which 
blistering and cupping are of fervice. There are many such cases, in 
which it is expedient to apply remedies of quick operation. Recti 
fied æether ſhould be uſed. 
Of the effects of mixing alcohol with the nitric acid, chemistry fur 
niſhes many examples, which are remarkable, both for the appearances 
which they exhibit, and the information that we derive from them. 
This acid, when obtained from nitre by the process formerly de 
scribed, and which has the name of Glauber's smoking spirit of nitre, 
and was thought the strongest and purest, is in fact the weakest as an 
acid, and impure. It is a mixture of two acids, now distinguiſhed 
by the name of NITRIc and NITRoUs. The Latin names expreſs 
their distinction more precifely, nitrosum denoting an abundance of 
that which diſtinguiſhes it as nitrous, viz. the fiery colour, and copious 
deep blood-coloured fumes, and offensive suffocating smell. The 
nitric, on the other hand, is colourless, and emits no sensible fumes. 
Yet, in all the distinguishing properties of an acid, it exceeds the other,