Prop. & Comp. Brandy contains about 53 per cent. of alcohol, together with some volatile oil and oenanthic ether; it is almost white when first distilled, but in the cask acquires some colour, and it has often burnt sugar added to it to produce the same effect.

Prep. Mistura Spiritus Vini Gallici, Ph. Loud. 1851. Brandy Mixture. (Spirit of French wine, cinnamon water, each, four fluid ounces; the yolks of two eggs; sugar, half an ounce; oil of cinnamon, two minims. Mix.)

Therapeutics. Brandy may be employed, either in the form of the above mixture or simply diluted with water, when it is desirable to administer a powerful diffusible stimulant, or to keep up the action of the circulation in very low conditions of the system, as in prolonged syncope, typhoid or adynamic forms of fever delirium tremens, and gangrena senilis; in small quantities it often assists digestion when taken with a meal, and is used with advantage in atonic dyspepsia. Externally it may be used, diluted with water, as a topical stimulant to threatened bed sores, cracked nipples, etc.