condition, as it still is, by a process of fermentation followed by distillation. Alcohol can be built up from its elements thus:—When an electric arc burns between carbon rods in an atmosphere of hydrogen, acetylene is formed; acetylene can be made to combine with hydrogen, forming ethane; ethane reacts with chlorine, yielding ethyl chloride; and this acted upon by an aqueous solution of potash gives alcohol as a result. The steps of the process are shown below:—
 | An image should appear at this position in the text. To use the entire page scan as a placeholder, edit this page and replace "{{missing image}}" with "{{raw image|Chronicles of pharmacy (Volume 2).djvu/285}}". Otherwise, if you are able to provide the image then please do so. For guidance, see Wikisource:Image guidelines and Help:Adding images. |  |
CH CH3 CH2Cl CH2OH
| --> | --> | --> |
CH CH3 CH3 CH3
Acetylene. Ethane. Ethyl chloride. Ethyl alcohol.
Alcohol is the basis of a number of substances used
in medicine. On treating it with a dehydrating agent
such as strong sulphuric acid, the elements of water are
removed, and two molecules of alcohol unite into one,
the resulting product being ether (diethyl oxide). The
reaction is rather more complicated than is explained
here, but the net result is as stated. The process was
described by the German physician, Valerius Cordus,
and was incorporated in the "Dispensatory" published
after his death by the Senate of Nuremberg, under the
title of "Oleum vitriole dulce verum." As explained in
the article on Ether (Vol. I. p. 347), the chemical reaction
was, until recent times, a favourite topic for investigation.
When alcohol (C2H5OH) is oxidised, a substance known as aldehyde (CH3CHO) is formed. This was first prepared and described by Fourcroy and Döbereiner, but its constitution was explained by Kolbe. On further oxidation acetic acid (CH3COOH) is formed. The relationship between the alcohol, aldehyde and acetic acid was traced by Liebig.
