Latin, Alcohol (Gen., Alcoholis)

Eng., Alcohol. Synonyms, Spiritus Rectificatus, Spiritus Vini Rectificatus, Rectified Spirit, etc. Formula, C2H5OH.

Form

A colorless liquid containing not less than 94.9 per cent. by volume of absolute Ethyl Alcohol.

Odor And Taste

Slight odor and burning taste.

Solubility

Miscible in all proportions with water, chloroform, ether, glycerin and most oils.

Incompatibles

Acacia, albumin, bromine, chlorine, chromium trioxide, permanganates.

Official Preparations.

Alcohol is a constituent of the majority of official liquids, as fluidextracts, spirits, tinctures, wines, etc.

Alcohol Dehydratum (Gen., Alcoholis Dehydrati)

Eng., Dehydrated Alcohol. Synonym, Absolute Alcohol. A liquid containing not less than 99 per cent. of C2H5OH.

Alcohol Dilutum (Gen., Alcoholis Diluti)

Eng., Diluted Alcohol. Synonym, Proof Spirit. Alcohol, 500 mils; water, 500 mils.

Unofficial Preparations.

Spiritus Vini Gallici (Gen., Spiritus Vini Gallici)

Eng., Brandy. Contains from 44 to 55 per cent. by volume of absolute alcohol.

Spiritus Frumenti (Gen., Spiritus Frumenti)

Eng., Whiskey. Contains from 44 to 55 per cent. by volume of absolute alcohol.

Vinum Album (Gen., Vini Albi)

Eng., White Wine. Contains from 8.5 to 15 per cent. by volume of absolute alcohol.

Vinum Rubrum (Gen., Vini Rubri)

Eng., Red Wine. Contains 8.5 to 15 per cent. by volume of absolute alcohol.

Vinum Xericum (Gen., Vini Xerici)

Eng., Sherry Wine. Usually contains about 15 per cent. of alcohol.

Therapeutic Action

Antiseptic, germicide, diaphoretic, possibly stimulant, hypnotic and nutrient.

Uses

Used in medicine as a preservative and solvent. Extensively employed for cleaning the skin for operations and for cleansing instruments. Used in antiseptic solutions for dressing wounds, infections, etc., and for suppurative conditions, as otitis media. Recommended as a dressing to abort furuncles, felons, etc. Alcohol as such, or various dilutions, are used for giving sponge baths to reduce temperature in febrile conditions and to prevent bedsores in protracted illness. It is sometimes used in concentration to harden the skin, as to prevent chafing from trusses or other mechanical devices, and to relieve local areas of excessive perspiration. Internally alcoholic liquids are frequently employed for pneumonia, bronchitis, etc., and brandy, particularly, is quite frequently used in the treatment of dysentery, diarrhea, typhoid fever, and other related troubles.

Administration

Alcohol as a solvent is not often prescribed as such by the physician, but alcoholic tinctures, spirits, etc., are employed.

For its effect, alcohol is often a factor in selecting a vehicle.

Some prescriptions illustrating the uses of alcohol follow:

To abort furuncle:

M.

Sig

Saturate pad and keep applied to boil. (Poison-label.)

In the treatment of alopecia:

M.

Sig

Apply as directed.

1 Stelwagon: Diseases of the Skin.

For"liver spots,"freckles, etc.:

M.

Sig

Apply to spots three times a day.

When used only as a stimulant, brandy or whisky is usually employed. For example:

For the exhaustion attendant upon intestinal trouble, etc. (in a child 2 years old):

M.

Sig

Teaspoonful in water every four hours.

In the treatment of bronchitis:

M.

Sig

Teaspoonful every three hours.

For cough, bronchitis, colds, etc.:

Sig

Teaspoonful in water every two hours.