Memoirs of Dr. Samuel Guthrie, and the history of the discovery of chloroform / by O. Guthrie.

  • Guthrie, O. (Ossian), 1826-
Date:
1887
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Memoirs of Dr. Samuel Guthrie, and the history of the discovery of chloroform / by O. Guthrie. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    I have commonly used the above proportions and proof and have every reason to be satisfied with them. From the above quantity I have usually obtained about one gallon of etheral spirit. (See note A.) Note A. The affinity of chlorine to lime is so weak, and to alcohol so strong, that the chlorine is all taken up, long be- fore the distillation is over; hence, the absolute necessity of watching the process, so as to know when to set aside the etheral portion. By re-distilling the product from a great excess of chloride of lime, in a glass retort in a water bath, a greatly concentrated solution will be obtained. This new product is caustic and in- tensely sweet and aromatic. 1,1 By distilling solution of chloric ether from carbonate of potash, the product is concentrated and refined. By distilling it from caustic potash, the ether is decomposed, and muriate of potash is thrown down, while the distilled product consists of alcohol. I Unfortunately Art. VI is without date, but is preceded by Art. V, bearing date July, iS31 and followed by another dated July 2, 1S31. (See page 69 same vol.) Hence, may we not reasonably assume the date to be about July 1st? Let it be also understood that Vol. XXI contains two parts, numbers one and two. Number one containing eighteen articles and sixty pages of miscellanies—200 pages in all, page 200 bearing date October 2nd. Dr. Guthrie says, page 65: During the last six months a great number of persons have drunk of the solution of chloric ether in my laboratory, not only very freely, but fre- quently to the point of intoxication; and so far as I have ob- served, it has appeared to be singularly grateful, both to the palate and stomach, producing promptly a lively flow of animal spirit and consequent loquacity, and leaving after its operation, little of that depression consequent to the use of ardent spirits. This free use of the article has been permitted, in order to ascertain the effect of it in full doses on the healthy subject; and thus to discover as far as such trials would do, its probable value as a medicine. From the invariably agreeable effect of it on persons in health, and the deliciousness of its flavor, it would seem to