SPIRITUS AETHERIS NITROSI--SPIRIT OF NITROUS ETHER--SWEET SPIRITS OF NITER An alcoholic solution of ethyl nitrate, yielding when freshly prepared not less than four per cent of ethyl nitrate. DERIVATIVE.--Mix sulphuric acid (40 c. c.) with water (120 c. c.), cool and add alcohol and water each, (85 c. c.) and place in (1000 c. c.) flask surrounded by ice and water. Dissolve sodium nitrate (100 gm.) in water (285 c. c.), filter and allow filtrate to drop slowly into the flask above. Wash ethyl nitrate formed with sodium carbonate solution, to remove acid, and agitate with potassium carbonate, to remove water. Add ethyl-nitrate to 22 times its weight of alcohol. PROPERTIES.--A clear, mobile, volatile, inflammable liquid, of a pale-yellowish or faintly greenish-yellow tint, having a fragrant ethereal and pungent odor, free from acidity, and a sharp burning taste. Mixes freely with water and alcohol. DOSES AS A STIMULANT AND ANTISPASMODIC.--Horses, 1 to 3 oz.; cattle, 1 to 4 ozs.; sheep, 2 to 4 dr.; pigs, 1 to 2 dr.; dogs, 15 m. to 1 dr. As a febrifuge and diuretic horses take from 4 dr. to 1 oz.; 4 dr. is sufficient as a rule every two, three or four hours, usually combined with other medicines for all of its purposes, in fever and colic cases. ACTIONS.--Spirit of nitrous ether conjoins the action of the alcohol and ethyl nitrite of which it consists. It is hence a general stimulant and a relaxer and paralyzer of non-striped muscle. It relieves acute fever and the difficult breathing of bronchitis and asthma. It is antispasmodic, diaphoretic and diuretic. Large doses are narcotic.