Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
sweet spirits of nitre. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
sweet spirits of nitre, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
sweet spirits of nitre in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
sweet spirits of nitre you have here. The definition of the word
sweet spirits of nitre will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
sweet spirits of nitre, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Noun
sweet spirits of nitre (uncountable)
- (pharmacy) An old-fashioned remedy, having ethyl nitrite as a main ingredient, that used to be available as an over the counter drug.
- 1887, Estelle Mendell, “The Family Medicine Chest”, Good Housekeeping vol. 5, page 62]:
- In cases of fever a teaspoonful of sweet spirits of nitre in a glass of water taken in small sips at short intervals is most excellent.
- 1980, “F.D.A. Bans Sweet Spirits of Nitre As Ineffective and Possibly Fatal“, The New York Times, October 12, 1980, page 65:
- The Food and Drug Administration says it is ordering an old-fashioned remedy, sweet spirits of nitre, off the over-the-counter market because it can be fatal to infants and because of a lack of proved effectiveness.