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NITRITE OF AMYL. 287
taste in their mouths and complaining of a disagreeable
smell, symptoms which nearly always follow the use of paral-
dehyde.
9. Whether or ndt a habit and tolerance for the drug may
be formed remains yet to be seen. As yet, even when the dose
has been used continually, an increase of dose was never found
necessary.
Dose.—Of hydrate of amylene, grs. xii to grs. xxxvii. It may
be administered in gelatin capsules containing 15^ grains each,
or in the fluid form mixed with claret and water, or raspberry
syrup.
AMYL NITRIS—NITRITE OF AMYL.
Formula.—CgHnNOj. Sp. gr., 0.877.
Derivation.—Nitrite of Amyl is prepared by the action of
nitric acid on amylic alcohol (fusel oil). The distilled portion ob-
tained below 212° F. is rectified by means of carbonate of potas-
sium, and that portion only distilling between 200° and 206° F.
is reserved, being a nitrite of oxide of amyl. It is a yellowish or
amber-colored liquid, somewhat oily, very volatile and inflam-
mable, and boils at 182° F. It has an odor like that of ripe
pears, and belongs to the class of compound ethers.
Medical Properties and Physiological Action.—It is used by inhala-
tion, causing an accelerated action of the heart, sudden flushing of
the face, dilatation of the arteries, paralysis of the action of the
smaller arteries, a sense of great fullness of the brain, a lowering of
the blood-pressure and temperature, and complete resolution of the
muscular system. The vapor of nitrite of amyl, when applied
directly to the muscular or nervous tissues, arrests their functional
activity, and, circulating in the blood, appears to act most on the
vaso-motor system and unstriped muscular fibre. It affects
respiration and the composition of the blood, producing head-
ache, which is often prolonged.
Therapeutic Uses.—Being a powerful stimulant to the heart,
it is an antidote to chloroform and cocaine. A case is mentioned
in the British Medical 'Journal^ where, during chloroform narcosis,
respiration ceased, and artificial respiration failed to restore the
