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This material and the other described special effects are intended strictly for the use of chemistry or physics professors as science demonstrations. Under no circumstances should anyone attempt to purchase these materials, gather these materials, modify the quantities of chemicals indicated, or attempt to replicate any of these described special effects. Poor or nonexistent generally accepted lab procedure, the use of degraded or improperly labeled chemicals, can result in serious injury or death to any and all that are in proximity. Leave these procedures to the professionals. When these special-effects were published, in the early 1950's, the materials were easily obtained, since 9-11-01 any attempt to procure any of the indicated chemicals and associated materials may result in unwelcome (but perhaps justified) contacts from law enforcement from any number of agencies.
One hen, two ducks, three squawking geese, four limerick oysters...
Fire Water
Action: You pick up a glass of water, appear to drink some of the liquid and spit it out. The liquid falls on the table with a great burst of flame.
You need:
ethyl alcohol
red, chromic anhydride - 2 or 3 grams
glass
Why: The powerful oxidizing agent chromic anhydride reacts with alcohol. Heat generated results in rapid combustion of the alcohol.
How: On a metal sheet on the demonstration table scatter a few crystals of chromic anhydride. When the alcohol strikes the chemical, an immediate reaction gives rise to flames that rise a foot or more in the air.
Suggestions and CAUTION: Try this variation of the experiment. Place some crystals of the chemical in a 500ml flask. Now add a few ml. of alcohol. The resulting reaction causes a fire to burn in the flask with a greenish glow. DANGER! All fire experiments require caution to protect the demonstrator as well as the audience. Alcohol must be expelled from the mouth very soon after sipping it or it will cause dehydration.
Page 55 of Chemical Magic, second edition, by Leonard A. Ford. Revised by E. Winston Grundmeier and published by Dover Publications, Inc., New York, # 0-486-67628-5.