4279. Sulphuric Ether

4279. Sulphuric Ether - also called oxide of ethyl- is a colorless, transparent, very limpid fluid, having a penetrating and agreeable smell and a burning taste.

4280. To Obtain Sulphuric Ether

4280. To Obtain Sulphuric Ether. Put 2 pounds rectified spirit into a glass retort, and add 2 pounds sulphuric acid; place the retort on a sand-bath, and apply heat so that the liquor may boil as quickly as possible, and the ether pass into a receiver cooled by ice or water; continue to distill until a heavier fluid begins to pass over; then lower the heat, add another pound of spirit, and distill as before. Mix the distilled liquors together, pour off the supernatant portion, add 1 ounce carbonate of potassa (previously ignited), and agitate occasionally for one hour; finally, distill the ether from a large retort, and keep it in a well-stoppered bottle. This ether should have a specific gravity of .750.

It is recommended to mix only a portion of the alcohol at first with the acid, and as soon as it reaches boiling point (about 280° Fahr.), add the remainder only fast enough to replace the fluid as it distills over; also not to allow the heat to exceed 286°.

Another method is, to heat the sulphuric acid to 280°, and then introduce the alcohol in a fine stream, by means of a tube with a fine lower orifice, introduced through a cork fitted to the mouth of the retort; a thermometer being adjusted in a similar manner, so that its bulb is immersed in the contents of the retort. By this means the danger of the heat rising above 236° is obviated.

4281. Stronger Ether

4281.    Stronger Ether. Officinal AEther Fortior. Take 3 pints each of ether and water; shake them thoroughly together in a bottle; and, when the water has subsided, separate the ether from it, and agitate it well with 1 troy ounce each of chloride of calcium and lime, both in fine powder. After standing for 24 hours, decant the ether into a retort, with a Liebig's condenser, connected with a receiver surrounded by ice-cold water, and distill 11/2 pints stronger ether, which should be of a specific gravity not exceeding .728.

4282. To Purify Ether

4282.    To Purify Ether. Ordinary ether is purified by first agitating it with 2 or 3 times its volume of distilled water containing a few grains of carbonate of potassa, or a few drops of milk of lime; and, after decantation, again agitated with a like quantity of water only. This may be used for inhalations. The washed ether is afterwards digested on chloride of calcium to deprive it of retained moisture.

4283. Cautions About Ether

4283.     Cautions About Ether. The vapor of ether is very inflammable, and when mixed with atmospheric air it forms a violently explosive mixture. The density of this vapor is 2.586, that of air being 1, hence it rapidly sinks, and frequently accumulates in the lower parts of buildings, especially cellars which are badly ventilated. Every crack, every joint in the floors of rooms, the space beneath doors, etc., offer a road for the passage of this vapor, which, though invisible, as surely runs out of every orifice, and finds its level, as a stream of water would do. The only remedy is thorough ventilation. Many serious accidents have arisen from this cause; a light carried where such vapor is present causes an explosion.