Spiritus ætheris nitrosi. Sweet spirits of nitre.

This substance is essentially a solution of æthyl nitrate (C2H5

NO2 )

Authorities.

1 , Lembke, Zeit. f. Hom. Kl., 4, p. 145, took repeated doses of 5 to 30 drops; 2 , same, Neue Zeit. f. Hom. Kl., 17, p. 36, took repeated doses of 10 to 40 drops; 3 , same, subsequently repeated the proving; 4 , same, subsequent proving with doses of 10 to 60 drops; 5 , Brown, Pharm. J., 16, p. 455, effects of inhalation of vapor of "nitrous ether;" 6 , second case; 7 , third case; 8 , effects in self.

MIND

Slight confusion of ideas, 6.
Some anxiety, 6.

HEAD

Confusion.
Confusion of the head (soon after a dose), 1.
Head very much confused, heavy, and hot, for three hours, 4.
Vertigo.
Vertigo, 1, 6.
Sensation of impending vertigo several times, soon; also, while sitting, a sensation as if the upper part of the body swayed to and fro, 1.
Sensation in the head as if vertigo would occur, repeated several times (soon); between these attacks, while sitting, a sensation as if the upper part of the body swayed to and fro, 2.
General Head.
A dull annoying pain is felt in the head, more acutely along the course of the temporal arteries, which continues for five or six hours (after five or six hours), 5.
Violent tearing in the head, 4. [10.]
Tearing in the head, 4.
Tearing pains in various parts of the head, 3.
Drawing and tearing in the head, especially in the right side, 4.
Drawing pressure in various parts of the head, 2, 3.
Frequent pressure in the head, 1.
A slight degree of swimming in the head, scarcely perceptible even when at the worst, 5.
Pressure and heaviness in the head, 4.
Pressure and heaviness in the head, lasting a long time, 4.
Heaviness in the head, with pressure in the forehead, 4.
Heat and heaviness in the head, soon after a dose, 4. [20.]
Stitches on the head, 3.
Headache, continued for seventeen hours (after half an hour), 6.
Forehead.
Confusion in the forehead, 1.
Confusion in the forehead, on rising in the morning, with persistent pressure and heaviness, lasting several hours, 3.
Violent boring in the forehead, 3.
Violent persistent pain in the frontal bones, .

EYE

Dull appearance of the eyes, 5.
Stitches in the eyes, 3.
Lids.
Visible twitches in the right upper lid, 3.
Frequent twitching in the margin of the right upper lid, 1.
Stitches and burning in the lids and their margins, 3.
Burning in the margins of the lids, 3.
Stitch in the upper lid and above the right eye, 3.
Lachrymation, 1. [70.]
Stitches in the eyeballs, 3.
Black spots and rings float before the eyes, always after a dose, with heat in the head and contracted pupils, 4.

EAR

(The left ear is closed, without swelling or pain, lasting more than an hour; it seemed to be the commencement of a violent coryza that developed the same day), 1.
Pressure behind the ears, 2.
Pressure in the left mastoid process, 1.
Stitches in the left ear, 4.

FACE

The first observed effect is a bluish-purple color which the lips take on; this occurs even when the vapor is very dilute, and it may exist quite unconsciously and without any bad effects whatever; after being exposed for one or two hours to a rather diluted vapor, or after exposure for only a few seconds to a very partially diluted vapor-after it may be only three or four natural inspirations-the lips assume a deeper purple tint, the eyes a dull appearance, and the whole countenance has a ghastly, dirty-looking pallor about it, as if smoked all over; the hands, more especially beneath the nails, partake of the purple color; afterwards the hands are of a leaden blue or purple color, 5.
Visible twitching in the middle of the left part of the upper lip, along the margin, 1.
Boring in various parts of the bones of the face, 3.
Boring in the bones of the face, 2. [80.]
Pressure in the bones of the face, 3, 4.
Stitches in the muscles of the face, 3.
Frequent stitches in the muscles of the face, 4.
Pressure in the bones of the face, worse on the right side, 4.
Sensation as of a cloud over the upper portion of the face, 1.
Stitches in the masseter muscles, 2.
Drawing stitches in the cheeks, 3.
Drawing in the right upper jaw, 1.
Violent boring in the lower jaw, especially in the angles, 3.
Drawing in the upper jaw, 2.

MOUTH

Teeth. [90.]
Tearing in the upper teeth, 2.
Tearing in the lower teeth, 3.
Tearing in the upper canine and incisor teeth of the right side, 1.
Tongue.
Cutting deep in the forepart of the tongue, 1.
Drawing in the lower teeth, 3.
Burning in the tongue, 3.
Sticking and burning in the tip of the tongue, 3.
Sharp stitches in the tongue, 1.
Stitches deep in the mass of the tongue, 1.
Violent stitches in the tip of the tongue, 3. [100.]
Stitches in the tip of the tongue, 1, 2.
Fine stitches in the tip of the tongue, 1.
Stitches in the tongue, 1, 2, 4.
Very flat odor in the mouth, 1.
Saliva.
Profuse clear saliva collects in the mouth after a dose, 1.
Much thin saliva in the mouth, 2.
Much thin saliva with a constant salty taste on the tip of the tongue (soon after a dose), 1.
Profuse mucus constantly in the mouth, with a taste of lye, 1.
Much mucus in the mouth, 2.
Sensation like that preceding nausea, together with increased mucus in the mouth, 1. [110.]
Salty taste on the tongue and salivation, 1.

THROAT

Constant dryness in the throat, 1.
Cramp extending from below upward in the œsophagus, 1.
Increased accumulation of mucus in the throat, 1.

STOMACH

Violent paroxysmal cutting pain deep in the pit of the stomach, together with flushes of heat and general hot sweat, 1.
Peculiar sensation of aching in the pit of the stomach, 1.
Heaviness, fulness, and oppression in the pit of the stomach, 1.
Pressure in the stomach, extending up the œsophagus, 2.
Pressure in the stomach, 1.
Pressure in the stomach, as from a dull instrument, aggravated by deep inspiration, pressure, and keeping the body erect, relieved by bending inward the abdomen, which is not at all soft; after half an hour the pain increased, became cutting, extended to the umbilical region, and was aggravated by even slight inspiration; the pain continued four hours; was very much increased by eating, when it became cutting; there was much accumulation of gas in the abdomen, after the evacuation of which the pain was relieved, 1.
Eructations. [120.]
Eructations of air tasting of the drug, 4.
Eructations of air, 1.
Sensation of qualmishness in the pit of the stomach rising into the mouth, with much mucus in the mouth, 1.
Vomiting at an early stage, not either severe or persistent, 1.
Nausea.
Frequent nausea, 1.
Nausea, with some sensation of qualmishness in the stomach, accumulation of saliva and hunger, 1.

ABDOMEN

Many noises of gas in the abdomen, 1.
Rumbling in the abdomen, 2.
Rumbling in the abdomen and pressure in the umbilical region, 2.
Some pressure in the epigastric region, 2. [130.]
Sudden stitches in the left side, below the navel, extending towards the bladder, 1.

URINARY ORGANS

Urethra.
Violent cutting in the tip of the urethra, 3.
Stitches in the tip of the urethra, 1, 3, 4.
Violent stitches in the tip of the urethra, 3.
Numerous stitches in the tip of the urethra, 3.
Violent stitches in the tip of the urethra while urinating, 4.
Frequent stitches in the tip of the urethra, 3.
Micturition.
Frequent inclination to urinate, 1, 2.
Much desire to urinate, 3.
Frequent micturition of profuse urine as clear as water, 4. [140.]
Frequent painless micturition, 4.
Urine.
Frequent micturition of yellow urine, 2.
Urine very clear in color, with frequent desire, but not increased quantity, 1.
Urine passes frequently, 2.
Urine yellow during the whole proving, not increased in quantity, 2.
Urine scanty, 1.
The diuretic action was not apparent until twelve or fourteen hours after exposure to the vapor, 5.
Diuretic effects (within an hour or two), 6.

SEXUAL ORGANS

Stitches in the glans penis, 1.

RESPIRATORY ORGANS

*Breathing slow and regular; on walking a short distance it becomes very hurried; if the attempt is persevered in it becomes quick, difficult, and painful, and a most distressing sense of painful constriction is felt underneath the sternum, 5. [150.]
Tickling in the larynx, with short dry cough, 2.
Tickling in the larynx, with a dry cough, in the evening, 2.
Tickling in the larynx, causing a dry explosive cough, 1.
Much sticking and tickling in the larynx, with thin saliva, 1.
Numerous stitches in the larynx, in the evening, provoking cough, which was dry, 1.
Stitches and constriction in the larynx, 1.
Short dry cough, 1.
Short dry cough, several mornings, 1.

CHEST

Cramp rising up in the œsophagus, with intermitting pains extending to the upper portion of the wall of the chest, 1.
Pressure moving about in the upper portion of the wall of the chest, 1. [160.]
Pressure above the lower portion of the wall of the chest, 1.
Sticking and pressure in the left wall of the thorax, 3.
Pressure above the lower portion of the thorax, 2.
Pressure in the upper part of the thorax, 2.
Stitches in various parts of the thorax, 3.
Front.
Violent beating and pressure behind the sternum, while walking, 3.
Dull pressive sensation low down in the sternum, as if in the œsophagus, 1.
Pressure in the sternum, 1, 2.
Sides.
Sticking pain in the upper part of the left wall of the chest, without affecting breathing, 1.
Intermitting sticking pains in the upper part of the wall of the left chest, afterwards in the right, without affecting respiration, 1. [170.]
Pressure in the upper part of the left wall of the chest, disappearing and returning without affecting respiration or motion, 1.
Pressure in the left wall of the chest, coming and going several times without being affected by respiration or motion, 2.
Stitches in the right, then in the left wall of the chest, not aggravated by inspiration, 2.

HEART AND PULSE

Heart.
The sensation of violent beating in the heart occurs frequently in the evening on lying down in any position, lasting only a moment, 3.
If walking is persevered in the heart makes itself felt by its rapid, tremulous, tumultuous action, 5.
Some violent beating of the heart, 4.
Violent beating of the heart, at times with a feeling of pressure, 4.
At times while walking a peculiar sensation in the heart, like violent beating; this symptom occurred very frequently during the day, 3.
Pulse.
The pulse during the first quarter of an hour after 25 drops was irregular, the beats generally fuller and harder, 1.
The pulse remained unchanged for half an hour, except that it was fuller and slower than usual, 2. [180.]
Pulse weak and quick; on walking a short distance it becomes very quick, 5.
Pulse frequent, for half an hour (after 20 drops), 1.
Pulse rather fuller and somewhat slower than usual (half an hour after 10 drops), 1.

NECK AND BACK

Violent pressure in the nape of the neck and cervical vertebræ, 3.
Stitches here and there in the thorax and back, 3.
Sensation as if hot water were creeping through the back from below upward, lasting a quarter of an hour, 1.
Pressure and stitches in the region of the spine, 2.
Drawing in various parts of the back, 2.
Stitches in the final processes of the vertebræ, 3.
Numerous violent stitches in the vertebræ, 3. [190.]
Drawing in various parts of the dorsal muscles, 1.
Stitches in the spinous processes of the middle dorsal vertebræ, 1.
Violent sticking in the spinous processes of the last dorsal and upper lumbar vertebræ, 1.
Pressure in the lumbar muscles and hip-joints, 4.

EXTREMITIES IN GENERAL

Pressive boring in the muscles and joints of the upper and lower extremities and in the head, even while walking, 3.
Boring in the fingers, wrists, shoulders, and knees, 3.
Sticking in the fingers and toes, 2.
My nails were colored blue, and also Mr. G.'s lips were the same, 6.
Pressure and boring in the bones of the wrists, tibiæ, ankles, head, and face, 1.
Tearing in the fingers and toes, 1, 2. [200.]
Pains in the limbs, 4.
Pressure in the muscles of the shoulders, upper arms, and thighs, 3.
Pressure on the backs of the feet and in the wrists, 1.
Violent pressure in the muscles of the upper and lower extremities, 3.
Violent pressure about and above the ankles, about the leg, and afterwards in the forearms, 3.
Very frequent violent pressure in the malleoli, in the tarsal and metatarsal joints, wrists, shoulders, and muscles of the arms, with bruised pain, 3.
Pressure on the backs of the feet and in the wrists, 2.
Pressure in the elbows and arms, afterwards in the fingers and toes, 2.
Some pressure in the left knee and then in the right forearm, 2. [210.]
Pressive pain in the shoulders, knees, and ankles, 3.
Pressure in the ankles and forearms, 2.
Drawing in the calves and scapulæ, 3.
Drawing in several joints and phalanges, 1.
Wandering pains in the limbs, 3.
Stitches and pressure in the toes, shoulders, fingers, and their joints, 2.
Drawing and pressure in the shoulders, arms, ankles, and occiput, 3.
Pressure in the left knee, and afterwards in the right forearm, 1.

SUPERIOR EXTREMITIES

Violent painful sensation of weakness in the left shoulder and in several fingers, frequently during the day, 1.
Violent stitches in the shoulder-joints, some muscles of the arms, and in some finger-joints, 3. [220.]
Stitches in several finger-joints and in the shoulders, 2.
Shoulder.
Violent pain in the right shoulder, 1.
Bruised or weary pain in the muscles of the arms and shoulders, 3.
Pressure in the shoulder-joints, 4.
Pressure in the shoulders and clavicles, 2.
Pressure in the left shoulder, extending to the upper arm, 1.
Pressive, stiff pain on the forepart of the left shoulder, and scapular portion of the clavicle, aggravated by motion, in the evening, 1.
Stitches between the scapulæ, 1.
Stitches in the shoulders, 2.
Arm.
Weakness of the whole right arm; on raising it it seems heavy, as if too thick or full, 1. [230.]
Heaviness and weakness of both arms, 1.
Heaviness in the arms, 2.
Pressure in the muscles and joints of the arms, 3.
Pressure in the arms and wrists, 4.
Pressure in the arms, 2.
Violent pressure in the elbows and upper arms, 2.
Stitches on the inner side of the left upper arm, 1.
Stitches in the muscles of the upper arm, 2.
Elbow and Forearm.
Drawing in the elbows, 3. [240.]
Pressive pains in the elbows and wrists, 4.
Violent pain in the left elbow and upper arm, 1.
Pressure in the left elbow-joint and right forearm, 1.
Violent tearing deep in the left forearm, extending into the wrists, in the evening, in bed, 1.
Pressure in the forearms and wrists, in the evening, .

INFERIOR EXTREMITIES

In General.
Pains in various joints, especially persistent pressive pain in the left hip-joint, 3.
Long-continued pain in the whole left leg and ankle, especially on moving the ankle, painful towards the external malleolus, 1.
Pains in the lower extremities, even while walking, 4.
Boring pressive pain in the lower extremities, 4. [280.]
Boring in the left hip, tibiæ, and feet, 3.
Violent pressure in the right leg and ankle, and in the malleoli, 2.
Drawing and pressure in the legs and the backs of the feet, 3.
Drawing pressive pains in the thighs and tibiæ while sitting, 4.
Hip and Thigh.
Pain in the left hip, associated with pain in the skin and soft parts about the joints, 3.
Awakened about 3 A.M. by violent boring persistent pain in the left tibia, 3.
Persistent and violent pains in the left hip-joint, 3.
Drawing in the hip-joints, 3.
Pain in the hip, aggravated by walking, 3.
Pain in the right hip-joint, 1. [290.]
Pressure in the left hip, 3.
Drawing in the right thigh, 1.
Knee.
Violent persistent pressure in the left knee, worse while sitting, obliging walking about, which somewhat relieved, 3.
Pressure in the left, then in the right knee, and in the ankles, 3.
If walking is persevered in the knees shake, and, refusing any longer to remain rigid, give way, 5.
Pressure in the knees, 1, 2, 3, 4.
Drawing and pressure in the knees, 2.
Sticking in the soft parts above the right knee, at times very violent boring while sitting and walking, 4.
Boring in the knees, 3.
Drawing and pressure in the knees and calves, . [300.]

GENERALITIES

Great swelling of the veins, 1.
Weakness, 2.
Great weakness, 1.
General exhaustion, 1.
Sticking boring and tearing in the bones of the face, back, and various parts of the body, especially in the toes and tips of the toes, knees, and cranial bones; these symptoms occur very soon after a dose, 3.
Frequent drawing in the cranial bones, as also in the ankles and toes, 3. [370.]
Tearing in various joints, 2.
Drawing and pressure in several joints, 1.
All the pains extend from place to place, and suddenly change about, 3.
Symptoms occur especially in the morning and in the evening in bed, and are frequently caused by damp weather, 1.
In general the symptoms were as numerous while walking as while sitting (though perhaps more numerous while sitting), 3.
By the time I had reached half a mile, I felt very weak and unable to walk, which at last compelled me to sit down for a little on a stair; I recovered considerably by this, and was able to proceed; I got a little brandy; shortly after I felt quite strong in the limbs; by the time I got home I again felt the weakness coming, 6.
Perfect rest, heat, and a warm atmosphere, with brandy and a little ammonia, gradually restore the powers of the muscular system, 5.
Perhaps a little debility (second morning), 5.
The muscular debility comes on very rapidly, unaccompanied by the slightest effect upon the brain, and endures for hours, 8.
Loss of muscular power goes on until complete prostration ensues; but there is no consciousness of this debility until an effort is made, 5.

SKIN. [380.]

During the night, while in bed, the skin is dry, but by no means hot; yet while there is no restlessness, it is a relief and pleasant to the feet to hunt out the coolest spot they can find, 5.
Crawling in the skin and in the forepart of the right tibia, 1.
Violent stitches in the skin of the left axilla, 4.
Violent sticking and burning in the skin on the inner side of the right upper arm, 3.

SLEEP

An exceeding drowsiness came on, quite like what one feels after long hard work; but this perhaps was partly the effect of the brandy. On getting into bed I slept, and that soundly, for nine hours and a half, 6.
Many dreams of danger by fire, 1.

FEVER

Chilliness.
Internal chilliness, with cold hands, 1.
Frequent chilliness, 2.
Creeping chills under the skin, extending from the small of the back to the lower extremities, 1.
Chilliness followed by heat in the head and rest of the body, 2. [390.]
Chilliness over the body and limbs, frequently, 2.
Violent chilliness in the back and limbs, 1.
Chilliness in the back and limbs, 2.
Chilliness over the back, 1.
Chilliness in the back with profuse warm perspiration on the palms; the chilliness increased and the hands became cold and the perspiration of the palms continued, 1.
Chilliness in the back at 4 A.M., in bed, 4.
Chilliness through the spine, increasing with cold hands, 1.
Chilliness over the back several times, 1.
Chilliness on the back and in the limbs, 2.
Chilliness over the back, extending into the lower extremities, with cold hands, 1. [400.]
Internal chilliness, cold hands, lasting an hour, 2.
Chilliness over the back, with heat in the head and face, repeatedly while walking and sitting, 3.
Extremities cold, 5.
Sensation of coldness preceded by heat, 2.
Heat and Sweat.
Heat in the head and face, soon after a dose, 3, 4.
Heat in the head (soon after a dose), 2, 4.
Great heat in the face, and afterwards over the whole body, 2.
Heat in the head, 2.
Heat in the face, more internally than externally, afterwards in the whole body, 1.
Heat in the head and face, heat followed by pains in the knees, ankles, and wrists (soon after a dose), 3. [410.]
Heat in the nape of the neck and occiput; general heat with swollen veins during rest, lasting a quarter of an hour, .

CONDITIONS

Aggravation.
( Morning ), On rising, confusion in forehead, with persistent pressure and heaviness; dry cough; pressure in ankle and knees.
( Towards evening ), Boring in tibiæ; pain in forehead, with pressure and heaviness; pains increased, 2.
( Evening ), Symptoms more frequent and aggravated, 2 ; in bed, tearing in forearm and wrist; stitches in larynx provoking cough.
( Night ), Boring in forehead.
( Deep inspiration ), dull pressure in stomach.
( Pressure ), Burning in first phalanx of third finger, with swelling and redness.
( Lying down ), Violent beating of heart.
( Sitting ), Sensation of swaying of upper part of body; pain in bones of right ankle.
( While urinating ), Stitches in tip of urethra.
( Walking ), Difficult breathing; rapid beating of heart; variable pulse; boring in muscles and joints of extremities; shaking in knees; pain in hip.
Amelioration.
( Towards evening ), Symptoms relieved, 3.
( Bending abdomen forward ), Dull pressure in stomach.
( Walking ), No symptoms, 3.

SUPPLEMENT: NITRI DULCIS SPIRITUS. Authorities.

9 , T. W. Hill, Lancet, 1878 (2), p. 766, a child, aged nearly three years, swallowed about 3 or 4 ounces; 10 , H. C. Lawrence, ibid., 1879 (1), p. 9, a lad, aged eighteen years, took almost daily, for three weeks, an ounce.

Delirious and incoherent in his manner, drowsy as if he had been taking alcohol. When he was roused he could answer questions, complained of headache, and said he found it difficult to walk straight of late. He could see clearly, the irides being somewhat dilated, acting feebly. Skin and tongue dry, breath smelling strongly of ether. Pulse 60, small and hard. Constipation well marked. Urine had not passed since early morning, and had been scanty of late. Bladder empty on pressure above pubes, 10.
In a complete state of collapse, cold and almost pulseless, insensible, both pupils fixed and widely dilated, breathing hardly perceptible. Later, vomiting and purging set in, with stertorous breathing, and death occurred in twelve hours, 9.

Nitri Dulcis Spiritus