Medical Spirits
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Medical spirits are medicinal preparations whose base constituent is ethyl alcohol. The article describes three main types: distilled spirits, spirits made by dissolving volatile substances (especially essential oils) in ethyl alcohol, and solutions of various medicinal substances in alcohol. Most spirits are used as external mildly irritating or pleasantly aromatic and cooling agents, with some taken internally.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
Medical spirits, medicinal preparations whose base (constituens) is ethyl alcohol. Basically, three types of medical spirits are distinguished: 1) spirits obtained by distillation; at present in the USSR only pure alcohol is obtained this way; previously aromatic spirits were prepared by distillation of aromatic plant materials with alcohol vapors. In Germany they are still used and widely advertised. 2) Spirits obtained by dissolving volatile substances, mainly essential oils (camphor, formic, lavender, and mustard spirits). This category includes aromatic spirit (see Kinder balsam), eau de cologne (Spiritus coloniensis), and others. 3) Solutions of various medicinal substances in alcohol [soap spirit, Hoffman's balsam, Weimar balsam, opodeldoc (see Ointments), Bestuzhev drops (see) and others]. Most spirits serve as external mildly irritating or simply pleasant-smelling and cooling agents. Internally, Bestuzhev drops are used, less frequently aromatic spirit, lavender spirit, Hoffman's balsam, camphor spirit, and others, according to their composition, in drops or as additives to mixtures.
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Cite this page
“Medical Spirits.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/medical-spirits/