Aromatic Vinegar

Aromatic Vinegar differs from ordinary vinegar (which is acetic acid diluted with water) in containing certain essential oils which impart an agreeable fragrance. It is generally prepared by adding the oils of cloves, lavender, rosemary, bergamot, neroli, and cinnamon to the strongest acetic acid. Aromatic vinegar is a very pleasant and powerful perfume; it is very volatile, and when snuffed up by the nostrils, is a powerful excitant, and hence is serviceable in fainting, languor, headache, and nervous debility. Aromatic vinegar is generally placed on a sponge in a smelling-bottle or in a vinaigrette; it can also be purchased as a liquid in phials; and a drop or two allowed to evaporate into a sick-room, overpowers, but does not destroy any unpleasant odour. The liquid must, however, be cautiously dealt with, as it is very corrosive.