Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 01.djvu/575

AMYL ALCOHOL. gravity of 0.810, and is optimally inactive; it forms the predominating constituent of fusel oil. Secondary butyl-carbinol boils at 128° C, and imparts to fusel oil, of wbich it forms 10 to 20 per cent., the property of turning the plane of polarized light to the left. The separa- tion of the two is a matter of some difficulty. It may, however, be effected by treating the mix- ture Willi hydrochloric acid: iso-butyl-carbinol is more readily attacked by the acid than sec- ondary butyl-carbinol; it is, therefore, the first to be converted into the corresponding chloride, C'sHiiCl, the separation of which from the unat- tackcd secondary butyl alcohol can be effected by ordinary laboratory methods. A third amyl aicoliol, known as amylene hydrate, or di-methyl- ethyl-carbinol, and having the constitutional formula (CHsj^C.HsCOII, is a colorless liquid, with a penetrating and pungent odor and an unpleasant taste. When taken internally in moderate doses it acts as a hypnotic; in larger doses it is liable to cause narcotic symptoms. The esters (compound ethers), formed by the union of amyl alcohols with some of the acids of the acetic acid series, have highly aromatic odors, resembling those of the apple, the pineapple, the strawberry, the banana, and other fruits. Fusel oil is therefore used in making artificial fruit essences, which are now generally employed for flavoring syrups, confectionery, etc.

AM'YLENE HY'DBATE. See.

AM'YL NI'TRITE. An extremely volatile, pale yellow, oily liquid, with an aromatic taste and an odor resembling bananas. It is formed by the action of nitric acid upon amyl alcohol (fusel oil). As it rapidly deteriorates, it is necessarily kept in "small, dark, amber-colored and glass-stoppered vials, in a cool and dark place, remote from lights." The last precaution is due to its inflammable nature. The drug is also put into closed glass capsules, commonly known as "'pearls," which are so fragile that they can be crushed in a handkerchief when desired for use. Though occasionally administered inter- nally, it is usually given by inhalation. A mod- crate amount Inhaled causes almost immediately flushing of the face, a feeling of fullness and pain in the head, rapid and strong heart action, labored breathing, and a very soft and full pulse. If continued, the head seems distended as though it would burst, and the other symptoms increase. Within a few minutes all these symptoms dis- appear. Poisonous doses cause pallor, irregular breathing, muscular relaxation, and death. Xanthopsia, or yellow vision, sometimes follows inhalation of amyl nitrite, but within a few minutes objects gradually resume their natural colors. Besides the marked diminution of arte- rial tension, the drug causes a change in the blood, with the formation of what appears to be hicmoglobin. The chief use of amyl nitrite is to relieve the attacks of angina pectoris. It is also valuable for aborting epileptic seizures, espe- cially when there is an aura, or peculiar sensa- tion denoting the approach of one of these. In spasmodic conditions, such as asthma, tetanus, or strychnine poisoning, it is used, and also as a rapidly acting heart-stimulant. See.

AMYN'TAS I. {Gk. •Afivvrac) (c. 408 B.C.). King of Macedonia from about 540 to 498 B.C. In token of submission to the Persians, he presented earth and water to the ambassador, Megabazus, whom Darius, on his return from the Scythian expedition, had left at the head of 80,000 men in Europe.

AMYNTAS II. King of Macedonia from about 394 to 369 B.C., son of Philip, the brother of Perdiccas II. He succeeded his father in Upper Macedonia, and obtained the crown of the entire country by the murder of the usurper, Pausanias (393 B.C). Soon after his accession he was driven from Macedonia by the Illyrians, but by the aid of the Thessalians was restored to his kingdom. Afterward he entered into an alliance with the Spartans. He left three sons, Alexander, Perdiccas, and Philip the Great.

AMYNTAS III. (?-336 B.C.). Grandson of Amyntas II., son of Perdiccas. On the death of his father, in 360 B.C., he was the lawful heir to the throne, which was usurped by his uncle, Philip. He was put to death in the first year of the reign of Alexander the Great (336 B.C.), who charged him with having conspired against his life.

AMYOT, a'myo', (1513-93). Tutor of King Charles IX., of France, Bishop of Auxerre, and Commander of the Order of the Holy Ghost. He was born at Melun. He is remembered chiefly for his translations into exquisite French of the Greek romances, Theagenes and Chariclea (1546), and Daphnis and Chloë (1559), together with Diodorus Siculus (1554), Plutarch's Lives (1559), and Plutarch's Morals (1572). This Plutarch was the basis of North's English version (1575) used by Shakespeare. It was itself used by Corneille, and ranks with Amyot's other translations among French classics.

AMYOT, a'niyo', or AMIOT, (1718-94). A celebrated French Jesuit and Oriental scholar. He lived as a missionary in China from 1750 to the time of his death. His knowledge of Chinese languages enabled him to collect many valuable notices of antiquities, history, language, and arts in China. His writings include large contributions to the Mémoires concernants l'histoire, les sciences et les arts des Chinois (1776-1814). His Dictionnaire Tatar-Manchu-Français (1789-90) was edited by Langlés.

AM'YRAL'DISM. See.

AMYRAUT, a'me'rA', (1596-1664). A French Protestant theologian and metaphysician. He was born at Bourgueil, near Tours. His father set him to study law, and he made rapid progress in the University of Poitiers. He became a licentiate in law (1616), but the reading of Calvin's Institutes induced him to leave law for theology, and he studied at Saumur, and "sat at the feet of the great Cameron," a pupil as great as his master. There he became a pastor in 1626; in 1633 professor of theology. He was co-professor with Louis Capel and Josua de la Place. Their life-long friendship was beautiful and remarkable, as is their memory as joint authors of the Theses Salmuriensis. In 1631 Amyraut published Traités des religions (Saumur), still a living work; and thenceforward he was foremost in provincial and national synods. The esteem in which he was held was shown when the Charenton synod of 1631 chose him to present to the King the Copy of the Complaints and Grievances for the Infractions and Violations of