CHLOROFORM is a peculiar compound limpid fluid, which is soluble in alcohol and zether, and dissolves iodine, phosphorus, and sulphur. Although mankind had for a long time had recourse to various narcotic agents for relieving pain in disease, it was not till the discovery by Drs. Jackson and Norton, in America, of the narcotising powers of the vapour of tether, that such agents were em ployed for the purpose of relieving the dread ful suffering endured in surgical operations. This discovery can only be regarded as second in importance to that of vaccination, as a pre ventive of small-pox, by Dr. Jenner. Scarcely had it been generally known that tether pos sessed the power we have mentioned than, in the latter end of the year 1847, Dr. Simpson, of Edinburgh, discovered that the vapour of chloroform possesses the same powers. The discovery that the vapour of chloroform pro duced the same effect as that of tether pro duced scarcely less sensation than the dis covery of the powers of tether itself. For it
possesses many advantages ever tether in its application to the production of insensibility. These are—I. A smaller quantity of chloro form than of nether is required to produce the same effect; for thirty or forty drops upon a handkerchief or sponge, and applied to the nostrils, are sufficient to produce the desired effect. 2. The action of chloroform is more rapid and complete, and more persistent than that of tether. 3. Frequently after taking the vapour of tether, sickness and headache come on ; but, although these effects sometimes take place with chloroform, they are not so frequent. 4. The expense of chloroform is much less than that of tether, from the small quantity required.
Chloroform is obtained by distilling a mix ture of chloride of lime, water, and spirit. CHOCOLATE. [CocoA.]