Page 340 - My FlipBook

338 DENTAL MEDICINE.
a hot, aromatic, sweetish taste, and a peculiar fragrant odor. It
is readily soluble in alcohol and in ether, and, if pure, it sinks into
water as transparent globules free of milkiness. It is antiseptic,
and will not coagulate albumen. It should be kept in a dark,
cool place. If exposed to the light for any length of time,
chloroform becomes unfit for use as it develops chlorine, hy-
drochloric acid, and carbonyle chloride. The presence of acid
in chloroform will turn blue litmus paper red, and if chlorine is
present it will form a white precipitate with nitrate of silver. If
impure from improper manufacture, an oily odor will remain on
the hand after evaporation. Chloroform fit for use {Chlorofor-
mum Purificatuni) should have a specific gravity of from 1.49 1 to
1,525, absolutely transparent and colorless, neutral to test paper,
non-irritating when inhaled, and should evaporate entirely, leav-
ing no residue or smell on a glass surface. Chloroform purified
by crystallization is considered to be the best form for purity.
The boiling point is 142° F.
Medical Properties and Physiological Action.—Chloroform, when
inhaled, is an anaesthetic; and when administered internally, is
anodyne and antispasmodic. Its effects on the system are similar
to those of ether, but more powerful and more rapidly produced,
and it requires more care in its administration, both internally
and by inhalation of the vapor. When inhaled, the vapor of
chloroform causes a sensation of warmth in the mouth and
throat, a sense of relaxation, and finally unconsciousness.
Respiration is at first full and deep, but soon becomes more
rapid and shallow. The pulse becomes at first somewhat fuller
and stronger for a short time, and then fails in strength, and is
more rapid. Total muscular relaxation is dangerous. The
effect on the air passages is slight irritation, with no primary ar-
rest of the respiration, as is the case with ether. The pupils at
first slightly dilate, but afterwards contract : but if they dilate
after such contraction the case becomes dangerous, and death
may suddenly ensue. In some patients, the first effects of the chlo-
roform are violent struggles, and, in such cases, it is dangerous
to continue the inhalation rapidlv. Drunkards and athletes are
prone to be thus affected. When taken internally it causes a