sweet spirits of nitre

English

Alternative forms

• sweet spirit of nitre

Noun

sweet spirits of nitre (uncountable)

1. (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, [1] 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.