sweet spirits of nitre

Noun

 * 1)  An old-fashioned remedy, having  as a main ingredient, that used to be available as an over the counter drug.
 * 2) * 1887, Estelle Mendell, “The Family Medicine Chest”, Good Housekeeping vol. 5, 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.
 * 1) * 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.