Methylated Spirit consists of a mixture of 9 parts of alcohol, of specific gravity 0.920, with 1 part of Pyroxylic (q.v.) or wood-spirit. This addition of wood-spirit renders it unfit for drinking, although it scarcely interferes with its power as a solvent. It is allowed by the excise to be sold duty-free for manufacturing purposes, and for preserving specimens in museums.
Methylated Spirit
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 7: Maltebrun to Pearson, p. 162
Source scan(s): p. 0171