Source. - Made by adding iodine to a mixture of Alcohol and Phosphorus, distilling, and purifying. 5C2H5HO + PI5 (iodide of phosphorus) = 5C2H5I + H3PO4 + H1O.

Characters. - A colourless volatile liquid, with a peculiar powerful odour, and a pungent taste. Sp. gr., 1.92. Non-inflammable. Decomposed by light, yielding iodine. Soluble in alcohol and ether; very sparingly soluble in water.

Dose. - 5 to 20 min. Inhaled from a broken capsule.

Action And Uses

Iodide of ethyl acts chiefly by virtue of the iodine element, and very slightly, if at all, as an anaesthetic ethyl compound. It introduces iodine very rapidly into the system, and has been chiefly used to stimulate the respiratory passages, and thus to act as an antispasmodic in asthma attended by scanty or tough secretion. In some instances it gives instant relief.