CHAPTER IX.. Ether.

ETHER.

The drug commonly known as ether and otherwise described as ethylic ether or sulphuric ether, has a chemical formula (C{2}H{5})_{2}O. It is a transparent colourless fluid with a specific gravity of ·720 to ·723. A brand much used in the States has an S.G. of ·713 only, a point which is greatly emphasised by its supporters, who claim that it volatises quicker and therefore is more powerful in action. The author has in actual practise not found much difference between this brand and any good British one.

Ether is highly inflammable and volatilises readily at ordinary room temperatures. Its boiling point is 96° to 98° Fahr. Whether evaporating from a fabric such as gauze, or from bulk in a jar, ether cools very rapidly, and the fall in temperature soon reduces the ease of its volatisation. This point is of some practical importance in anæsthetics, and some years ago the author made a number of observations, hitherto unpublished, with a view of ascertaining some definite facts in this connection. His results will be found in