Cooley's Cyclopaedia of Practical Receipts Volume I Part 19

Alabaster is engraved with tools resembling those employed for other soft minerals. It is etched by covering every part of the surface, except that to be acted on, with a solution of white wax in oil of turpentine (1 to 4), thickened with a little finely powdered white lead, and subsequent immersion in water acidulated with acetic acid or hydrochloric acid, for the calcareous variety; and in spring water, for 20 to 50 hours (according to the effect desired), for the gypseous variety. The varnish is washed off with oil of turpentine, and the etched parts carefully brushed over with finely powdered gypsum.

Alabaster is joined and repaired by means of white of egg, or rice glue, thickened with finely powdered quicklime; or by a paste of newly baked and finely powdered gypsum, mixed up with the least possible quant.i.ty of water.

Calcareous alabaster is usually cleaned with a brush and warm soap-and-water, or with tepid water to which a few grains of carbonate of soda or of ammonia have been added; followed in either case by rinsing in clean water. If much discoloured, thoroughly cover the article with a paste of freshly slaked lime and water, and let it remain twenty-four hours; then wash off the paste with soap and water, rubbing hard the stains.

Delicate objects in gypseous alabaster can only be safely cleaned with benzol, or with pure oil of turpentine. If necessary, the surface must be repolished. Grease spots may be removed from either variety with a little benzol or oil of turpentine.

Alabaster is occasionally stained or coloured, and, for the calcareous variety, in a similar way to marble, except that heat is not employed; and for the gypseous variety, in the manner noticed under PLASTER OF PARIS.

The gypseous variety is also bronzed and hardened in a similar way to that adopted for casts in the latter substance.

_Obs._ Gypseous alabaster is dissolved by water; and the beauty of both varieties is almost irrecoverably destroyed by grease, coloured oils, varnishes, smoke, &c. It is, therefore, unfitted for garden ornaments, or other objects exposed to the rain or weather, unless it be painted or bronzed; and is even then very perishable. Contact with acids, alkalies, and ammoniacal and sulphurous fumes, also injure, and, if prolonged, destroy it. Even an uncorked phial of smelling-salts placed on a mantel-piece beside an alabaster vase will soon destroy its beauty. Thus, all delicate objects in alabaster should be protected by a gla.s.s shade.

=Alabaster, Orient'al= (Fact.i.tious). Figures, ba.s.so relievos, &c., of considerable hardness and beauty, may be formed by imitating the process adopted at the baths of San Filippo, before referred to.

_Proc., &c._ Moulds of sulphur are placed either vertically or obliquely in an open tub or cistern, having a freely perforated bottom. Surmounting the whole are two or more pieces of wood in the form of a cross or star.

The sulphurous calcareous water, falling on this cross, is scattered into spray or streamlets, and losing the gaseous portion which holds the lime in solution, deposits it in the form of oriental alabaster on the surface of the moulds. In from 1 to 4 months, according to the nature of the article, a sufficiently thick deposit is obtained. The object is then removed from the mould, and trimmed and polished. It is found that the more vertical the position of the mould, the finer is the grain of the resulting deposit. The water of the Spring of San Filippo may be exactly and easily imitated by the chemist; and the whole process offers a new and valuable ornamental art for the amus.e.m.e.nt and profit of the ingenious and enterprising.

=Alabaster, Shand's Chinese.= Carbonate of lime. (Chandler.)

=Alabaster Tablets, John Swine's Chinese.= Carbonate of lime. (Chandler.)

=ALAMODE'= (al-ah-mode). [Fr., _a la mode_.] According to the prevailing mode or fashion. In _cookery_, applied to several dishes, but more particularly to one of beef (alamode beef), commonly shortened by the lower cla.s.s of Londoners into "alamode." See BEEF, STEWING, &c.

=ALAN'TINE.= [Eng., Fr., Ger.] _Syn._ ALANTI'NA, L. A substance identical with inulin, found in the roots of garden angelica ('angelica archangelica,' Linn.).

=ALBA'TA.= [L., Eng.] A name given to several alloys resembling silver.

See ALLOYS, GERMAN SILVER, &c.

=ALBION= (Parisian). "Will preserve the skin white and free from wrinkles." An aromatic water with chloride of lead and calomel suspended in it. (Landerer.)

=ALBOLITH.= A cement powder prepared by W. Riemann, Breslau. Made with calcined magnesia (obtained from magnesite) and chloride of magnesium. It is recommended for painting walls, stairs, and wooden articles. (Hager.)

=ALBU'MEN.= [Eng., L.] _Syn._ ALb.u.mIN; ALb.u.mINE, Fr.; EIWEISS, EIWEISTOFF, Ger. Literally, the white of egg; a peculiar nitrogenous substance which enters largely into the composition of animal bodies. It abounds in the blood, muscles, bones, coagulable lymph, vitreous and crystalline humour of the eye, fluid of dropsy, &c. The white of egg consists of nearly pure alb.u.men dissolved in water.

A substance identical with alb.u.men is found in many vegetables. It enters largely into the composition of all the emulsive seeds. According to Seguin, it exists in considerable quant.i.ty in all those vegetables and fruits that afford a vinous liquor without the addition of yeast.

_Prep._ The white of egg and the serum of blood, when strained through muslin, furnish alb.u.men, in solution, in a sufficiently pure state for all the ordinary purposes of the arts. Pure solid alb.u.men may be prepared as follows:--

1. Agitate strained white of egg with 10 or 12 times its bulk of alcohol, collect the precipitated flocculi on a muslin filter, and suffer it to dry at a temperature not exceeding 120 Fahr.

2. Add a little water to white of egg, mix, filter, exactly neutralise with acetic acid, and then largely dilute with pure cold water; the precipitate which falls may be collected on a filter and washed. Strained serum of blood may be used instead of white of egg, in both the above forms.

_Comp._, _&c._ The following is the composition of alb.u.men according to Lieberkuhn:--

Carbon 533 Hydrogen 71 Nitrogen 157 Oxygen 221 Sulphur 18 ---- 1000

Chatin found iodine in the white of egg; it also contains chloride, sulphate, phosphate, and carbonate of sodium, phosphate of calcium, and traces of pota.s.sium in it; but, unlike the sulphur, none of these substances form a const.i.tuent part of pure alb.u.men, though probably always present in white of egg.

_Prop._ Pure solid alb.u.men (unaltered by heat) is nearly colourless, inodorous, and tasteless; scarcely soluble in water, but readily so in water, containing an exceedingly small quant.i.ty of caustic soda or potash, and in a strong solution of nitrate of pota.s.sium. When dried by a gentle heat it shrinks into a translucent h.o.r.n.y ma.s.s; and when exposed to a sufficient temperature, yields the usual ammoniacal odour and products of animal matter. Its solution (as white of egg) is solidified or coagulated by a heat of from 145 to 165 Fahr., forming a white, opaque ma.s.s; when very dilute, on boiling (only) it separates in fine light flocks. When thus coagulated, it is insoluble in water at a less temperature than 302 Fahr. (Wohler and Vogel), unless alkalised. Ordinary solutions of alb.u.men give precipitates with sulphuric, hydrochloric, nitric, and metaphosphoric acids, with tannin and astringent solutions, and with most of the metallic salts; but are not affected by either acetic acid or tribasic (common) phosphoric acid. Alcohol, in quant.i.ty, also precipitates alb.u.men. Strong oil of vitriol turns it black in the cold, but on applying a gentle heat, a gorgeous, red-coloured liquid is produced. Strong hydrochloric acid gives a deep violet-blue solution. White of egg or serum exposed in a thin stratum to the air, dries up into a pale, yellow, gum-like substance, and in this state may be kept for any length of time, retaining its property of redissolving when immersed in slightly warm water.

_Tests._--1. Both heat and alcohol (or strong spirit) coagulate it:--2. A solution of perchloride of mercury dropped into a fluid containing alb.u.men occasions a white precipitate:--3. Subacetate of lead acts in the same way. Either of the last two will render turbid a solution containing only the 1-2000th part of fresh white of egg, or the 1-10,000th part of dry alb.u.men:--4. Tannin and tincture of galls give yellow, pitchy precipitates:--5. If dry caustic potash or soda be triturated with either liquid or solid alb.u.men, ammoniacal fumes are evolved, and the mixture on calcination yields ferrocyanide of pota.s.sium:--6. Its coagulability by heat, and its incoagulability by acetic acid, distinguish it from casein.

_Uses, &c._, Independently of its value as an alimentary substance, alb.u.men is largely employed in photography as a glaze or varnish, for fixing colours in calico printing, as a cement, &c., and more particularly as a clarifier for wines, syrups, vegetable solutions, and other liquids.

Its efficacy for the last purpose depends on its entangling the impurities in its meshes during coagulation, and either rising to the surface with them as a 'sc.u.m,' or sinking with them as a precipitate. In France it is prepared on an extensive scale, at the abattoirs, by being spread in thin layers to dry; the source of supply being of course the stream of the blood of the slaughtered animals. When the liquid operated on does not spontaneously coagulate alb.u.men, it is necessary to apply heat to it. In cases of poisoning by the mineral acids, corrosive sublimate, nitrate of silver, sulphate of copper, bichloride of tin, or sugar of lead, the white of egg (or indeed the yolk as well) is one of the best antidotes that can be administered.

=Alb.u.men, Flake.= _Syn._ ALb.u.mEN IN POWDER, SOLID A., SOLUBLE A., PLANTER'S A. _Prep._ Expose strained white of egg or serum of bullock's blood, in a thin stratum, to a current of dry air, until it concretes into a solid transparent substance, resembling horn. In this state it may be kept any length of time, or it may be further dried until brittle, and then reduced to coa.r.s.e powder.

_Use._ It is extensively employed as a 'clarifier' in the sugar plantations of the West Indies, and elsewhere. It is prepared for use by soaking and stirring it with cold water until it is dissolved, when it is whisked to a froth in the usual way, and agitated with the liquid to be clarified.

=Alb.u.men, Iodised.= 1. To the white of every egg employed add 7-1/2 grains of iodide of pota.s.sium dissolved in an equal weight of distilled water.

Beat the mixture to a froth, let it stand until insoluble matters have settled, pour the clear portion into a wide-mouthed bottle, and keep in a cool place. 2. Dissolve 50 grains of iodide of pota.s.sium and 10 grains of bromide of ammonium in 2-1/2 oz. of distilled water, and add 120 minims of strong liquor ammoniae. Add this solution to 10 oz. of alb.u.men, let the mixture stand to settle, and filter. This preparation is said to keep good for a long time.

=Alb.u.men, Solution of (B. P.).= Take of white of one egg; distilled water, four fluid ounces. Mix by trituration in a mortar, and filter through clean tow, first moistened with distilled water. This solution must be recently prepared.

=Alb.u.men, Vegetable.= This substance, long considered to be a distinct proximate principle peculiar to the vegetable kingdom, has been shown, by recent researches, to be identical with animal alb.u.men. It is particularly abundant in carrots, turnips, cabbages, green stems of peas, and oleaginous seeds.

=ALBU'MEN.= In _botany_, the solid, fleshy, or h.o.r.n.y substance found in many seeds, between the integuments and the embryo. It is the part that furnishes the flour of the 'cereals,' the flesh of the 'cocoa-nut,' and the great ma.s.s of the seeds of coffee and other vegetables. However poisonous the plants which produce it may be, this substance is never deleterious.

=ALb.u.mENISED PAPER.= A French paper highly glazed, having a fine surface, and made by Rive; a German paper having a more uniform texture, and made by Saxe; also a paper by Towgood, are recommended for the preparation of alb.u.menised paper. Positive paper may be alb.u.menised as follows:--Add 15 grains of finely pulverised common salt to the white of every egg used, and whisk until the mixture is entirely converted into a white froth.

Allow this froth to stand in a glazed earthenware pan which must be rather larger than the sheets of paper to be alb.u.menised, for about twelve hours.

At the end of this pour the clear portion of the liquid into a flat porcelain tray. Mark the inferior side of the paper, slightly damp it, lift it by its ends, and float it carefully on the prepared alb.u.men, keeping its inferior and dry side uppermost. Then raise the paper at each end, and if any air bubbles are seen remove them with a card or brush and replace the paper in the bath. Remove the paper from the bath and suspend it at the corners by clips. Alb.u.menised paper should be kept dry by enclosing it in tin or zinc cases.

=ALb.u.mENOIDS.= A term applied to alb.u.men, fibrin, casein, and similar bodies.

=ALBU'MENOUS.= _Syn._ ALb.u.mINO'SUS, L.; ALb.u.mINe, Ab.u.mINEUX, Fr.; EIWEISSTOFFHALTIG, Ger. Formed of, containing, or having the properties of alb.u.men.

=Alb.u.minous Plants=. In _botany_, all plants whose seeds contain alb.u.men in a separate state; as in the cereals, palms, &c.

=Alb.u.minous Principles _or_ Substances.= Alb.u.men, casein, fibrin, gluten, &c.

=ALBURN'UM.= [L.] _Syn._ ALBURN*; SAPWOOD. In _botany_, the white and softer parts of the wood of exogenous plants, lying between the inner bark and the heartwood. It consists of empty or nearly empty tubes or cells, which gradually acquire solidity by the deposition of resins, tannin, and other products of vegetation, and in time becomes wood. It is through the alburnum that the ascending sap chiefly flows.

=ALCARAZ'ZA.= [Sp.] A species of porous earthenware, or a vessel formed of it, made in Spain from a light, sandy marl, and but slightly fired. Their value as 'coolers' arises from the copious evaporation of the water, which gradually transudes. A similar ware and articles are made in France, under the name of HYGROCERA'MEN; and in England, under the names of POROUS WARE, WATER COOLERS, WINE COOLERS, b.u.t.tER COOLERS, &c. The following are forms said to be used in our potteries:--

_Prep._ 1. Take of sandy marl, 2 parts; brine, q. s.; make a dough, and then knead in of common salt, in fine powder, 1 part. Bake the pieces slowly, and lightly.

2. Good clay, 2 parts; fine siliceous sand, 3 parts; brine, q. s.; common salt, 1 to 2 parts; as before.

3. Powdered clay, 2 parts; powdered charcoal, 3 parts (by weight); water q. s. to form a stiff dough. The kilning must be so arranged that the heat is applied gradually, and the vessels exposed to a current of hot air; and it must be continued until all the charcoal is burnt out, carefully avoiding over-firing.

=AL'CHEMY= (-kim-). _Syn._ AL'CHYMY (-kim-); HERMETIC ART*; ALCHEM'IA, ALCHYM'IA, L.; ALCHIMIE, Fr.; ALCHEMIE, Ger.; ALCHIMIA, It. The romantic forerunner of the modern science of chemistry. An imaginative art or science, having for its objects the discovery of a substance (PHILOSOPHER'S STONE) capable of trans.m.u.ting the baser metals into gold--a panacea, or universal remedy (ELIXER VITae), by which disease and death were to be avoided by its possessor--an alkahest, or universal solvent--a universal ferment; and other like absurdities. A mixed metal formerly used for utensils was also called by this name.

=AL'COHOL.= C_{2}H_{6}O. [Eng., L.; B. P.] _Syn._ AL'KOHOL, Eng., L.; ALCOoL, ALCOHOL, Fr.; ALKOHOL, HoCHST RECTIFIEIRTER WEIN-GEIST., Ger.; ALCOoLE, It. A term commonly applied to one kind of spirit--that obtained by the distillation of any fermented saccharine liquid, and forming the characteristic principle of wines, beers, spirits, and other intoxicating liquors.

_Etym._ Kohol, a Hebrew-Syriac word, is the name given to a preparation of powdered antimony used by Oriental ladies to paint their eyebrows. In course of time this term was applied to other fine powders, and ultimately to highly rectified spirits.

_Hist., &c._ Although the art of distillation was probably known at a comparatively early age of the world, the preparation of pure rectified spirit is a discovery of modern times. It was not until the 13th century that Raymond Lully first showed the way to concentrate spirit by means of carbonate of potash; after which date pure concentrated spirit gradually rose into note as an article of trade and commerce in Europe. In the 16th century its distillation was in common practice in these countries.

(Burns.) By means of chloride of calcium, Dr Black obtained alcohol of sp.