Cooley's Cyclopaedia of Practical Receipts Volume I Part 127

_Tests._ It feebly reddens litmus paper, extinguishes the flame of a burning taper, and forms a white precipitate in aqueous solutions of lime and baryta, which is soluble in acetic acid. By the last test a very small quant.i.ty of this gas may be easily detected in the atmosphere of rooms, &c. A lighted candle is generally used to test an atmosphere suspected to contain carbonic acid: but it is found that air that will support combustion will contain sufficient of this gas to cause insensibility.

_Ant., &c._ The patient should be immediately removed into the open air, and placed on his back with the head slightly raised. Cold water should be dashed over the body, hot water or mustard poultices applied to the feet, and ammonia (carefully) to the nostrils. Brandy-and-water and other stimulants may be administered. Continued friction on the surface of the body is also very useful. If the patient has ceased to breathe artificial respiration should be attempted. This may be done by gently pressing down the ribs, and forcing up the diaphragm, and then suddenly withdrawing the pressure. The inhalation of air, mixed with very little chlorine gas, has also been recommended. Wells, cellars, or other underground apartments, containing carbonic acid in poisonous quant.i.ties, may be freed from this gas by pumping it out in the same way as water, observing to allow the suction hose to fully reach the floor or bottom of the place. Fresh slaked lime or milk of lime, copiously thrown in, will have a like effect, by absorbing the gas. Free ventilation, whenever it can be established, is, however, not only the cheapest, but the most efficient remedy. See ASPHYXIA.

=CARBON'IC OXIDE.= CO. _Syn._ PROTOXIDE OF CARBON, CARBON MONOXIDE, GA'SEOUS OXIDE OF CARBON; OXY'DUM CARBON'Ic.u.m, L. A gaseous compound of carbon and oxygen, containing less oxygen than is contained in carbonic acid.

_Prep._ 1. From carbonic acid gas pa.s.sed over fragments of charcoal, heated to redness in a tube of porcelain or iron.

2. From crystallised oxalic acid, gently heated with 5 or 6 times its weight of strong sulphuric acid in a gla.s.s retort.

3. From ferrocyanide of pota.s.sium in fine powder, and 8 or 10 times its weight of concentrated sulphuric acid, heated together in a gla.s.s retort.

_Obs._ All the processes except the last give a mixture of carbonic acid and oxide. It is therefore necessary to pa.s.s the gas through a caustic alkaline solution or milk of lime to deprive it of carbonic acid. It may then be pa.s.sed over dried chloride of calcium, to deprive it of moisture.

It may be collected either over mercury or water, as the latter absorbs very little of this gas.

_Prop._ Carbonic oxide is colourless, inodorous, neutral, inflammable, and irrespirable. It is extremely poisonous, 1% mixed with air being sufficient to cause dangerous drowsiness. The deaths produced by the combustion of charcoal in close rooms are now attributed to this gas. The antidotes, &c., are the same as for poisoning from inhaling carbonic acid.

=CAR'BUNCLE.= A larger sized and dangerous form of boil, attended by extensive sloughing. The treatment consists in lancing, poulticing, and the adoption of a generous diet, with wine and stimulants. The safer plan, however, is to seek the advice of a medical man.

=CAR'BURETTED HY'DROGEN.= See HYDROGEN.

=CARD'AMOM.= _Syn._ CARD'AMUM; CARDAMO'MUM, B. P. The seed or fruit of the _Elettaria Cardamomum_ forms the officinal cardamom. It is warm, pungent, carminative, and stomachic, and is largely used as a condiment in the East, and in Europe as an adjuvant in other medicines. Several kinds of cardamoms used medicinally and as spices are produced by the genus _Amomum_, belonging to the natural order Zingiberaceae, the Ginger family.

=CARD'BOARD.= Cardboard, or sized pasteboard, is made of two to fifteen sheets of sized paper, pressed and stained. There are varieties of cardboard known as Bristol-board, London-board, the former being largely used for water-colour drawings, mounting-board, ornamental board, &c.

=CAR'MINATIVES.= Medicines that allay flatulency and spasmodic pains.

Among the princ.i.p.al carminatives are ANISEED, CARAWAY SEED, CARDAMOMS, Ca.s.sIA, CINNAMON, GINGER, PEPPERMINT, and the PEPPERS. To these may be added ARDENT SPIRITS, and most of the AROMATIC ESSENCES and TINCTURES. See MIXTURES, PATENT MEDICINES, &c.

=CAR'MINE.= _Syn._ CARMINE RED, VEGETABLE SCARLET; CARMI'NUM, L. A beautiful red pigment prepared from the cochineal insect.

_Prep._ The preparation of carmine is little understood, but success in its manufacture depends less on any mystery connected with the process than on the employment of the purest water and the best materials, and the exercise of moderate care, dexterity, and patience. The following forms will produce carmine of the richest hues down to ordinary and common, according to the skill possessed by the manipulator.

1. (_Madame Cenette's process._) Cochineal (in powder), 2 lbs., is boiled in pure river water, 15 galls., for 2 hours, when refined saltpetre (bruised), 3 oz., is added to the decoction, and the whole boiled for 3 or 4 minutes longer; salt of sorrel, 4 oz., is next added, and the boiling again renewed for 10 or 12 minutes; the heat is now removed, and the liquid allowed to settle for about 4 hours, after which time it is decanted with a syphon into shallow plate-like vessels, and set aside for three weeks. At the end of this time the film of mould which has formed on the surface is dexterously and carefully removed, without breaking it or disturbing the liquid beneath it. The remaining fluid is next very carefully removed with a syphon, and the adhering moisture, as far as possible, drained off, or sucked up with a pipette. The residuum, which is the carmine, is dried in the shade, and possesses extraordinary l.u.s.tre and beauty.

2. (Alxon or _Langlois' process_.) Powdered cochineal, 1 lb., is boiled in river water, 4 galls., for 10 minutes, when carbonate of soda, 3/4 oz., dissolved in water, 1 pint, is added, and the whole again boiled for 1/2 hour longer; when the decoction is cold, alum (in fine powder), 3/4 oz., is thrown in, and the liquid agitated rapidly until it is entirely dissolved; after 20 minutes' repose it is decanted into another vessel, and clarified by heating it with the whites of 2 eggs; the perfectly clear liquid is then allowed to repose for 40 minutes or longer, when it is decanted, and the carmine which it has deposited is collected, drained on a filter, and dried on shallow plates covered with silver paper. The product by either of the above processes varies from 9-1/2 to 10% on the weight of the cochineal employed in them.

3. (_China_ or _Spirit process._) Cochineal, 1 lb., is boiled for 15 minutes, in water, 3 galls., powdered alum, 1 dr., is next added, and the whole again boiled for 5 or 6 minutes; when the liquid has become cold, the clear portion is decanted, and again heated, the solution of tin (spirits of tin) cautiously dropped in until all the carmine is precipitated; it is collected, drained, and dried, as before. _Prod._ 1-1/2 oz.

3. (_French process._) From cochineal (in powder), 1 lb., boiled for 15 minutes, in water, 3 galls.; cream of tartar (in powder), 1 oz., is then added, the boiling further continued for 10 minutes, and powdered alum 1-1/2 oz., thrown in; after another 2 minutes' boil the heat is withdrawn, and in 5 or 6 minutes more the clear portion is decanted into porcelain vessels, which are set aside until the carmine falls down.

4. (_German process._) Powdered cochineal, 1 lb., water, 4 galls.; boil 15 minutes, add powdered alum, 1 oz.; boil 3 minutes longer, remove the heat, allow the liquor to settle for 5 minutes, pour off the clear portion into porcelain or earthenware vessels, and set them aside for 3 or 4 days. The carmine is found deposited on the bottom of the vessel, and must be now carefully drained and dried, as before. The decanted liquor yields more carmine by standing in fresh vessels. _Product._ About 1-1/2 oz.; besides 1/2 oz., or more, of an inferior quality obtained as a second deposit.

5. (_English process._) From cochineal, 1 lb., and carbonate of potash, 1/2 oz., boiled in water, 7 galls., for 15 minutes; the vessel is then removed from the fire, and powdered alum, 1 oz., added; the liquor is then well agitated and allowed to settle for about 15 minutes longer; the clear liquid is next decanted into a clean copper, and isingla.s.s, 1/2 oz., dissolved in water, 1 pint (and strained), added; as soon as a coagulum forms upon the surface, the heat is removed, and the liquid is strongly agitated with a bone or silver spatula, after which it is allowed to repose for 20 or 30 minutes. The deposited carmine must be drained and dried, as before.

_Obs._ The best black cochineal is generally used for the preparation of carmine. For ordinary qualities spirits of tin (bichloride) is added to the decoction as a precipitant, and the liquid being put into suitable vessels (wash-hand basins answer very well), a deposit of carmine slowly takes place. Neither exposure to solar light nor artificial heat is advisable during the drying, but the latter must nevertheless be effected with all possible expedition. Hence the finer shades of carmine can only be successfully made during certain states of weather; as in very hot weather the liquid rapidly sours or ferments, and the deposit is more or less dissolved; whilst in dull, damp weather it is difficult to dry the precipitate sufficiently, which is then apt to become mouldy, and to lose colour. The researches of Pelletier and Caventou tend to show that the solution of tin used as a precipitant should be at the maximum of oxidation or chlorination, to produce the richest shades of carmine. That first deposited is, in all cases, the most beautiful, and the quality gradually deteriorates as the process proceeds. 6 or 7 dr. only of carmine of the very finest quality can hence be obtained from 1 lb. of cochineal.

_Prop., &c._ Pure carmine is a very light, l.u.s.trous, scarlet powder, entirely soluble in ammonia, a test by which its purity is readily determined. Mr Warren De la Rue says the pure colouring principle of cochineal is carminic acid. By digesting ammonia on carmine until all the colour is taken up, filtering and adding acetic acid and alcohol, till the whole is precipitated; and lastly, carefully washing the precipitate with spirit of wine, at proof, and drying in the shade, carmine of the richest and most l.u.s.trous hue may be obtained even from samples of inferior quality.

_Uses, &c._ As a pigment in velvet and miniature painting, and for tinting artificial flowers, and as rouge for the complexion. The powdered cochineal (carmine grounds), from which the coloured liquor (liquid rouge, carmine liquor) has been decanted, is used by the paper stainers, and both are used in the preparation of carminated lake.

=Carmine, Blue.= See INDIGO.

=Carmine, Li'quid.= _Syn._ FLUID CARMINE, LIQUID ROUGE, CARMINE INK.

_Prep._ 1. A solution of carmine in ammonia water, or spirits of hartshorn. Very rich and beautiful.

2. The residual liquor of the process of making carmine. Inferior. The first is used in velvet and miniature painting, and for tinting artificial flowers; the second for common purposes, as a stain or wash.

=Carmine, Pur'ple.= See MUREXIDE.

=CARMIN'IC ACID.= C_{14}H_{14}O_{8}. _Prep._ (W. De la Rue.) The powdered insect, after treatment with ether to remove the fat, is digested in water. The decoction of cochineal is precipitated by adding a solution of acetate of lead, and the impure carminate of lead thus formed, after being washed with water, is suspended in water, and decomposed by a stream of sulphuretted hydrogen; the whole process is repeated with the decanted solution so obtained; the second solution is then evaporated to dryness (in vacuo over sulphuric acid), dissolved in absolute alcohol, digested on some washed crude carminate of lead (to separate a little phosphoric acid), and, lastly, mixed with ether (to precipitate some nitrogenised matter); the residuum obtained by careful evaporation (in vacuo) is pure carminic acid.

_Prop., &c._ A purple-brown ma.s.s, yielding a rich-red powder; it is freely soluble in water and alcohol; slightly soluble in ether; and without decomposition in oil of vitriol; it is feebly acid; its salts are termed carminates, only two or three of which have been examined. According to Mr De la Rue, this acid const.i.tutes the pure colouring matter of cochineal.

=CARNAUBA ROOT.= The root of the _corypha cerifera_, a wax-bearing palm, growing on the sh.o.r.es of the Rio Francisco, in Brazil. Dr C. Symes (see 'Pharmaceutical Journal,' 3rd series, v, 661) says:--Two bales of this root have been imported into Liverpool, with the following remarks in Portuguese:--"This root is recognised by the professor as an excellent purifying agent, and has been successfully applied in the cure of various diseases arising from impurity of the blood. We are indeed astonished that it is not more widely known, as its therapeutic qualities, which are worthy of full credence, rival those of sarsaparilla. The carnauba root likewise has a diuretic power, and possesses unusual efficacy, in the cure of acute and chronic blennorrhas. It is, furthermore, very cooling, and displays a vigorous action in purifying the blood." Mr Cleaver, who submitted the root to a.n.a.lysis, found it to contain very minute quant.i.ties of an alkaloid, an acrid resinous body, a red colouring matter, a variety of tannic acid, and a small portion of volatile oil.

=CAROBA.= The leaves of a tree belonging to the family _Bignoniaceae_, employed in Brazil as a diaph.o.r.etic, diuretic, and alterative tonic. Dr Alt states that he has used them extensively, and with much success, in old-standing cases of syphilitic eruptions, and after a course of mercurial treatment. They are usually administered either in the form of powder or decoction.

=CAROT'INE.= C_{18}H_{24}O. A crystalline, copper-red substance, obtained from the root of the _Daucus carota_ (_sativa_) or garden carrot. It is tasteless; odourless; neutral; fusible; inflammable; insoluble in ether and water; slightly soluble in alcohol; and very soluble in the mixed and volatile oils.

=CAR'PETS.= Consideration of cleanliness and economy demand a few words on carpets and hearth-rugs. We are a.s.sured by an experienced person that before proceeding to sweep a carpet, a few handfuls of waste tea-leaves should be sprinkled over it (say some five or six minutes before). A stiff hair broom or hair brush only should be employed unless the carpet be very dirty, when a whisk or carpet-broom may be used first, followed by another made of hair, to take off the loose dust. The frequent use of a stiff "carpet-broom" (those made of cane or birch are here alluded to) soon wears off the beauty of the best carpet. An ordinary clothes-brush, or a clean one, resembling the dirt brush used for shoes, is best adapted for superior carpets. When carpets are very dirty they should be cleaned by shaking and beating. "If you must have a carpet, take it up two or three times a year, instead of once. A dirty carpet literally infects the room: if you consider the enormous quant.i.ty of organic matter from the feet of people coming in, which must saturate it this is by no means surprising."

(Miss Nightingale.) In laying down carpets it is very advisable, at first, to cover the floor beneath them with large sheets of thick paper, so as to prevent dust from rising between the boards. Old drugget, sacking, matting, or any similar substance, will effect the same purpose, and will, moreover, materially increase the durability of the carpet, by preserving it from the contact of the hard floor.

BRUSSELS CARPETS may be cleaned with ox-gall (1 pint to a pailful of water), and a scrubbing-brush, and floor-cloth; afterwards rinsing them in fresh water applied in the same way. They should be previously perfectly freed from dust by beating, and should be nailed down before commencing the above operations. Great care should be taken to rub them as dry as possible with a clean dry floor-cloth. A small portion only should be done at a time, and a dry windy day selected for the purpose. A carpet treated in this manner will be greatly refreshed in colour, particularly the greens.

KIDDERMINSTER CARPETS will scarcely bear the above treatment without becoming so soft as to get speedily dirty again. This may in some measure be prevented by brushing them over with a hot weak solution of size in water, to which a little alum has been added. Curd soap, dissolved in hot water, may be used instead of ox-gall, but it is more likely to injure the colours if produced by false dyes. When there are spots of grease on the carpeting they may be covered with curd soap, dissolved in boiling water, and rubbed with a brush until the stains are removed, when they must be cleaned with warm water as before. The addition of a little gall to the soap renders it more efficacious. Some persons employ a mixture of soap, fuller's earth, and turpentine, for the same purpose. Benzol rapidly removes the grease stains, and may be advantageously subst.i.tuted for preparations of soap.

=CAR'RAGEEN.= _Syn._ I"RISH MOSS; CHONDRUS, L. The _Chondrus crispus_ of botanists, a well-known alga or seaweed. It contains a large proportion of a peculiar jelly, called carrageen'in or pect'in. This may be purified by agitation with dilute alcohol and filtration. The jelly forms an agreeable article of diet. It is used to a limited extent for thickening colours in calico printing. In _medicine_, carrageen is used in the form of a jelly and decoction as a demulcent, and is often prescribed in pulmonary complaints. See FIXATURE, ALGae, PASTE, SYRUP.

=CAR'ROT.= _Syn._ CARO'TA, L. The seed is carminative and diuretic; the expressed juice of the root is anthelmintic. Sc.r.a.ped raw carrot is sometimes employed as a stimulant application to sore nipples; the boiled root as a poultice to sores and tumours. As an article of food, unless young and well dressed, carrots are rather indigestible. Carrots can be kept for many months if the tops are cut out, and they are then placed in damp sand.

_a.n.a.lysis of Carrots._

Water 8730 Alb.u.menoids 066 Cellular tissue, gum, and non-nitrogenous substance 256 Sugar 554 Fibre 320 Mineral matters 74 ------ 10000

=CAR'THAMIN.= C_{14}H_{16}O_{7}. _Syn._ PURE ROUGE, SAF'FLOWER CARMINE, SAFFLOWER LAKE. The red colouring matter of _Carthamus tinctorius_ or safflower, formerly much used as a dye, particularly in the form of pink saucers for dyeing stockings.

_Prep._ 1. Safflower, exhausted by washing it with water (or with water acidulated with acetic acid), is dried, coa.r.s.ely pulverised, and the powder digested in a weak solution of carbonate of sodium; pieces of clean white cotton or calico are then immersed in the solution, and acetic acid gradually added in slight excess; the cotton is next washed, dried, and digested in a fresh quant.i.ty of dilute solution of carbonate of sodium, and agitation employed until the whole of the colour is again dissolved; the new solution is filtered and slightly super-saturated with citric acid (or acetic acid); the carthamin, which falls down in rich carmine-red flocks, is lastly washed with cold distilled water, and dried.

2. Washed safflower (dried and powdered), any quant.i.ty; aqueous solution of carbonate of sodium (containing 15% of carbonate), q. s. to form a thick paste; after some hours press out the red liquor, nearly neutralise it with acetic acid, put in cotton as before, and add acetic acid in slight excess; the next day remove the cotton and wash it in water holding in solution 5% of carbonate of sodium, until the colour is dissolved out, after which precipitate with citric acid, as before.

_Prop., &c._ An amorphous, brilliant, greenish powder; nearly insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol, forming a gorgeous purple solution, and in weak alkaline lyes giving an equally beautiful red one.

=CAR'THAMUS.= _Syn._ SAF'FLOWER. In _botany_, a genus of composite plants, the most important species of which is _Carthamus tinctorius_, the safflower. The florets of this yield a beautiful pink dye (see _above_), and are sometimes used to adulterate hay saffron. The "cake saffron" of the shops consists entirely of safflower and mucilage. The fruits, commonly called "seeds," yield by expression the useful oil known in India as Koosum oil.

=CARUM (PTYCHOTIS) AJOWAN.= Ind. Ph. _Syn._ AJWAIN or OMUM PLANT.

_Habitat._ Tropical Africa? Much cultivated in India.--_Officinal part._ The fruit (_Fructus Ptychotis_, _Ajwain fruit_). Occurs in the form of minute umbelliferous fruits, which, examined with a lens, are seen to be covered with prominent tubercles, extremely aromatic, evolving, when rubbed, a strong odour resembling that of common thyme. Taste somewhat bitter, and very pungent. Its virtues reside in a volatile oil.--_Properties._ Valuable stimulant, carminative, and antispasmodic.--_Therapeutic uses._ In flatulence, flatulent colic, atonic dyspepsia, and diarrha, it is a remedy of much value.

OIL OF AJWAIN, or OMUM (_Oleum Ptychotis_). The oil obtained by distillation from the fruit. Recently prepared, colourless, but soon acquires a yellowish tinge. It has the odour of the fruit, and an acrid burning taste. Sp. gr. about 088.--_Dose_, 1 to 3 drops on sugar or in emulsion.

AJWAIN, OR OMUM WATER (_Aqua Ptychotis_). Take of ajwain fruit, bruised, 20 oz.; water, 2 galls. Distil a gallon.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 fluid ounces. A valuable carminative; also useful in disguising the taste of disagreeable drugs, especially castor oil, and obviating their tendency to cause nausea and griping.