Compound spirit of ether

Under Hoffmann drops (1870: Hoffmann spirit, named after its inventor Friedrich Hoffmann) or ether alcohol (fachsprachlich alcohol aethereus, rare spirits Aetheris called ) means a vessel intended for medical use mixture of three parts ethanol and one part diethyl ether.

Traditionally, the alcohol aethereus as a drug, for example, in states of weakness, fainting, neuralgia, spasmodic affections and severe vomiting is applied. The typical dosage is 20 to 40 drops that are taken orally in a glass of water or on a sugar cube. According to modern investigations, the Hoffmann drops have a vasodilator and slightly hypotensive effect. Also in the preparation of tinctures and essences they are used.

Hoffmann prescribed regularly Spiritusse, including most of the so designated by him Liquor anadynus mineralis, also called " white Spritus mineralis my " called by him. However, his secret recipe was not ether in alcohol, but a solution of sulfurous acid or sulfuric acid in ethanol, which contained only small amounts of ether. He produced in his private laboratory by distillation of sulfuric acid in ethanol. Hoffmann invented the recipe in the early 18th century and received in 1704 a privilege of the Elector of Mainz to manufacturing and distribution. He got the idea for the preparation by a issued by his father to comment Schroeders Pharmacopoeia and texts of Poterius where a Vitrioli oleum dulce is called, but no details of its production.