ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

190

the vinous liquid is obtained by the fermentation of molasses or treacle,the spirit is termed rum (spiritus sacchari) ; when the liquid is a fer-mented infusion of grain {wash), the spirit is denominated corn spirit(.spiritus frumenti) ; and when the vinous liquid is either a fermented in-fusion of rice or toddy ( palm wine), the spirit is named arrack (if fromthe former, it is termed spiritus onjzte). The well-known liquors calledpin, Hollands or geneva, and whiskey, are corn spirits flavoured.

Ardent spirit, from whatever source obtained, consists of water, alcohol,volatile oil, and, frequently, colouring matter. The following are, accord-ing to Mr. Braude (Phil. Trans, for 1811 & 1813), the average quantitiesof alcohol (sp. gr. 0'825 at 00° F.) in some kinds of ardent spirit:—

Alcohol

100 parts (by measure) of (by measure).

Brandy contain.53*39

Rum.53*08

Gin.51*60

Alcohol

100 parts (by measure) of (by measure)Whiskey (Scotch) contain . . 54*32Whiskey (Irish).53*90

When wash is distilled, the fluid that comes over is called singlings, orlow wines. It is concentrated or doubled by a second distillation, bywhich raw corn spirit is obtained. Towards the end of the distillationthe distilled product acquires an unpleasant odour and taste from thepresence of volatile oil, and is called faints, ltaw corn spirit is soldby the distiller to the rectifier at 11 or 25 per cent, over proof, in thelanguage of Sykes’ hydrometer.

Stage 3. Rectification .— The object of the rectifier is todeprive ardent spirit of its volatile oil and water. This is effected byrepeated distillations, and by the use of pearlash (carbonate of potash),which, by its powerful affinity for water, checks the rise of this lluid indistillation.

All kinds of ardent spirits contain a volatile oil, which is termed bythe Germans Fuselol. That obtained from potatoe spirit has beendescribed by Pelletan (Jour, de Chimie Medicate, tom. l er . p. 70), underthe name of huile volatile de pomme-de-terre : it appears to be analogousto the oil procured from com spirit, and -which has been noticed byBuchner ( Report. 24, 270). From Messrs. Bowerbank, rectifiers, ofLondon , I have received, under the name of oil of grain, a sample ofvolatile oil obtained by them in the rectification of com spirit. It is alimpid, transparent liquid, of a pale yellow colour, having an unpleasantodour and an acrid taste. When washed with water, and then distilledfrom chloride of calcium, it is quite colourless. Its sp. gr. is 0'833 at56° F. It burns in the atmosphere with a flame like that of light carbu-retted hydrogen gas. It dissolves iodine, and is soluble in alcohol andether, but is insoluble in water, in liquor ammonia), and in liquor potass*.It dissolves in strong nitric acid, but acquires a slightly yellowish redtinge, and when the mixture is heated, violent re-action takes place;nitrous fumes mixed with nitric ether are so rapidly evolved, that if theexperiment be performed in a tubulated retort the stopper is sometimesforced out with considerable violence. Sulphuric acid added to this oilforms with it a deep, blood-red coloured, thick liquid, and evolves heatand an odour analogous to that of mint. Potassium rapidly decomposesit with the evolution of hydrogen. I am informed by Messrs, Bowerbankthat they obtain from 500 gallons of com spirit about 1 gallon of oil ofgrain, which they employ as a substitute for lamp oil. .