Cooley's Cyclopaedia of Practical Receipts Volume I Part 36

_Uses, &c._ A combination of certain const.i.tution, which is said to have been found very useful in obstinate vomiting and diarrha, in dysentery, and particularly in haemoptysis, haemorrhage, &c.--_Dose_, 3 to 12 or 15 gr.

=Aluminium Bronze.= See BRONZE ALUMINIUM.

=AL'VINE= (-vin). _Syn._ ALVI'NUS, L.: ALVIN, Fr. Of or from the belly or intestines; relating to the intestinal secretions.

=AMABELE.= Consists of crushed millets. See MILLET.

=AM'ADOU= (-ah-doo). _Syn._ GERMAN TINDER, TOUCH'WOOD, PYROTECH'NIC SPONGE, s.p.u.n.k--, SURGEON'S AG'ARIC, A. OF THE OAK, &c.; AGAR'ICUS QUER'CS, A. QUER'NUS, A. CHIRURGO"RUM, FUN'GUS QUER'CS, &c., L.; AMADOU, AGARIC AMADOUVIER, Fr.; ZUNDERSCHWAMM. Ger. A soft, spongy, combustible substance, being the prepared flesh of _bole'tus fomenta"rius_ (Linn.), an indigenous species of fungus found on the oak, birch, and a few other trees (REAL AMADOU or OAK-AGARIC); for which _b.

ignia"rius_ (Linn.), a like fungus, found on the willow, cherry, plum, and other trees, is frequently subst.i.tuted.

_Collec., Prep., &c._ The outer bark of the fungus (collected in Aug. or Sept.) having been removed with a knife, the inner spongy substance is carefully separated from the woody portion lying below, and after being cut into slices, is well beaten with a mallet until sufficiently soft and pliable. Sometimes it is first boiled in water, in order to separate the epidermis and porous parts, and to free it from soluble matter; after which it is beaten as before. In this state it is used in _surgery_, &c.

To complete its manufacture for TINDER, it is soaked once, or oftener, in a strong solution of saltpetre (RED AMADOU; BROWN A.); or in a thin paste made of gunpowder and water, which is thoroughly forced into the pores (BLACK A.); after which it is dried, and well rubbed to free it from loose matter. The first is the more cleanly; the last the more combustible.

_Uses, &c._ A light brown or reddish-brown substance. In _surgery_, _pharmacy_, &c., it is used to stop local bleeding, to spread plasters on, as a compress, and for other like purposes. When covered with resin-plaster it forms an excellent article for the protection of abraded surfaces. A small piece thus prepared, of a circular shape, having a round hole cut in the middle, the size of the apex of the corn, is one of the very best corn-plasters known; as from its great softness it at once protects the part from pressure, and removes the cause. As a material for shoe-socks it is superior to all other substances. The amadou for surgical purposes must not contain nitre.

=AMAL'GAM.= [Eng., Ger.] _Syn._ AMAL'GAMA, L.; AMALGAME, Fr. In _chemistry_ and _metallurgy_, an alloy containing quicksilver; more particularly one in which that metal plays a conspicuous part. Medallists improperly apply this term to all soft alloys.

Mercury unites with many of the metals by mere contact; and with some of them, as gold, silver, tin, and lead, in certain proportions, without losing its fluidity. In a few cases, as with pota.s.sium, this union is attended with considerable violence, and with the production of light and heat.

_Prep._ Most of these compounds may be formed by agitating or rubbing the mercury with the other metal, or metals, in the state of filings or small fragments, either with or without heat; or with the easily fusible metals, by adding it to them in the melted state; care been taken, in both cases, that the heat be not sufficient to volatilise the mercury.

_Prop., Uses, &c._ Some amalgams are solid, and not unfrequently crystalline; others are fluid. Of the latter several crystallise after a time, becoming solid; being, probably, merely solutions of the solid amalgams in excess of mercury. The amalgams of gold, silver, tin, zinc, &c., are extensively employed in gilding, silvering and dentistry, and in other useful arts and manufactures.

=Amalgam, Ammonium.= An unstable compound produced when a globule of mercury is placed in a small cavity formed in a piece of sal ammoniac, and the negative pole of a powerful galvanic battery is brought into contact with the metal, and the positive pole, with the ammoniacal salt. In a few seconds the new compound (ammonium amalgam) of the consistence of b.u.t.ter is formed. On withdrawing the influence of the battery, the whole returns to its former condition. By putting an amalgam of sodium into the moistened cavity of the sal ammoniac, similar results are obtained. The phenomena attending the formation of this new substance have been urged as evidence of the existence of the theoretical basic radicle AMMONIUM.

=Amalgam, Elec'trical.= _Prep._ 1. Take zinc and grain-tin, of each, 1 _oz._; melt them in an iron ladle, remove it from the fire, and add of mercury (hot), 3 _oz._; stir the whole well together with an iron rod, pour it into a well-chalked wooden box, and agitate it violently until cold; or, instead of this, it may be briskly stirred until cold, and then powdered. It should be preserved in a corked gla.s.s bottle.

2. (La Baume.) Zinc, 2 _oz._; grain-tin, 1 _oz._; bees' wax, 1/2 _oz._; melt, add of mercury, 6 _oz._, and otherwise proceed as before. Preferred by some to all other mixtures.

3. Zinc, 2 _oz._; mercury, 5 _oz._

_Use._ To cover the cushions of electrical machines. A little of the powder is poured on a piece of paper, crushed smooth with a flat knife, and then spread thinly on the surface of the cushion or rubber, previously slightly smeared with tallow; or the powder may be rubbed down with a little tallow, prior to the application of it.

=Amalgam, Gild'ing.= _Syn._ AMALGAM OF GOLD.

_Prep._ Take of grain-gold, 1 part; mercury, 8 parts; put them into a small iron saucepan, or ladle, and apply a gentle heat, using a smooth piece of iron as a stirrer; when the solution or combination is complete, pour it out on a clean plate or smooth stone slab.

_Use._ To gild bra.s.s, copper, &c., in the common process of wash or fire-gilding. A less proportion of gold than the above is used when a thin and cheap gilding is required; as by increasing the quant.i.ty of the mercury the same weight of the precious metal may be extended over a much larger surface.

=Amalgam, Sil'vering.=--_a._ For METALS. _Syn._ AMALGAM OF SILVER.

_Prep._, _Uses_, &c. As the last, but subst.i.tuting silver for gold.

_b._ For GLa.s.s. _Prep._ 1. Lead, tin, and bis.m.u.th, of each, 1 _oz._; bees'

wax or resin 1/4 _oz._; melt, skim off the dross, cool to the lowest point at which the mixture will remain liquid, and add of quicksilver 10 _oz._; mix well with an iron rod.

2. Lead and tin, of each, 1 _oz._; bis.m.u.th, 2 _oz._; quicksilver, 4 _oz._; as the last.

_Uses, &c._ For silvering the insides of hollow gla.s.s vessels, globes, convex mirrors, &c. The gla.s.s being thoroughly cleaned and dried, is carefully warmed, and the amalgam, rendered fluid by a gentle heat, is poured in, and the vessel turned round and round, so as to bring the metal into contact with every part which it is desired to cover. At a certain temperature it will be found to readily adhere to the gla.s.s. The excess is then poured out, and the vessel set aside to cool.

=Amalgams, Tooth.= See DENTISTRY and TOOTH-CEMENTS.

=Amalgam, Var'nisher's.= _Prep._ Melt grain-tin, 4 _oz._, with bis.m.u.th, 1 _oz._; add quicksilver, 1 _oz._, and stir till cold; then grind it very fine with white-of-egg or with varnish, and apply the mixture to the figure or surface with a soft brush. It is used in several of the ornamental trades.

=Amalgamating Salts.= Boil a solution of pernitrate of mercury with excess of equal parts of powdered persulphate and perchloride of mercury, and decant the liquid portion of the result for use. Chiefly used for amalgamating the zinc plates of galvanic batteries, also as a subst.i.tute for mercury in gilding by the amalgam process.

=AMAL'GAMATED.= _Syn._ AMALGAMA'TUS, L.; AMALGAMe, Fr. Compounded or blended with quicksilver; formed into an amalgam.

=AMALGAMA'TION.= [Eng., Fr.] _Syn._ AMALGAMA'TIO, L.; VERQUICKEN, Ger. The act or process by which an amalgam is formed; hence loosely, the mixing or blending of different things. In the art of the refiner, the operation of separating gold and silver from their ores by means of mercury.

=AM'ANDINE= (-dene). _Prep._ 1. (Transparent.)--_a._ Fine new white or pale honey, 4 _oz._; white soft-soap (prepared from lard and pota.s.sa), 2 _oz._; mix thoroughly in a marble mortar, adding 1 or 2 teaspoonfuls (if necessary) of solution of pota.s.sa, until a perfectly h.o.m.ogeneous paste or cream is produced; then rub in, by degrees, and very gradually, of oil of almonds, 7 _lbs._ (or q. s.), previously mixed with essential oil of almonds, 1 _oz._; essence (oil) of bergamot, 3/4 _oz._; oil of cloves, 1/2 _oz._; and balsam of Peru, 3 _dr._ The product, which should have a rich, transparent, jelly-like appearance and behaviour, is, lastly, put into pots for use or sale.

_b._ (G. W. S. Piesse.) Simple syrup, 4 oz.; white soft-soap (see _above_), 1 oz.; oil of almonds, 7 _lbs._ (previously scented with--); essential oil of almonds and bergamot, of each 1 _oz._; oil of cloves, 1/2 _oz._; the whole being mixed, &c., as before. Both the above are of very fine quality. Glycerin, in the proportion of about 1/2 _oz._ to each _lb._ of the products, added with the soap, improves their softening quality.

2. (Opaque.)--_a._ From white potash-soap and gum-mucilage (thick), of each 3 _oz._; new white honey, 6 _oz._; and the yelks of 5 large eggs; well mixed together, and afterwards intimately blended first, with oil of almonds (scented as before, or at will), 2 _lbs._; and afterwards, with thick pistachio-milk (made of the fresh-peeled nuts and rose-water), 5 _fl. oz._

_b._ From almond-paste, honey, white potash-soap, and glycerin, of each. 1 _oz._; yelk of 1 egg; oil of almonds, 1/2 pint (holding in solution--); essential oil of almonds, 1 _dr._; balsam of Peru, 1/2 _dr._

_Uses, &c._ To whiten and soften the skin, and to prevent it chapping. A small portion, about half the size of a filbert, with a few drops of warm water, produces a very white and rich lather, with which the hands and face are lightly rubbed, and the skin, in a short time, gently wiped with a small napkin, whilst the water on it is still milky.

The manufacture of AMANDINE is a matter of some difficulty and labour. The details essential to success are given under EMULSINES. It is sometimes coloured, which is done by infusing or dissolving in the oil, before using it, a little--spinach-leaves, for GREEN; and palm-oil, or annatto, for YELLOW and ORANGE. A beautiful SCARLET or CRIMSON tinge may be given to it by a little liquid rouge or carmine (ammoniacal), added just before removing it from the mortar. See EMULSINES, OLIVINE, PASTE, &c.

=AMANI'TA MUSCA"RIA.= The fly-agaric or fly-mushroom. See AGARIC.

=AMANITINE.= _Syn._ AMANITINA, L. The name given by Letellier to the poisonous principle of _amani'ta muscaria_, and some other species of fungi. It is brown, uncrystallisable, and soluble.

=AMARA.= [L.] In _medicine_ and _pharmacology_, the bitter tonics.

=AMARANTH.= _Syn._ AMARANTH'US, L.; AMARANTE, Fr. The flower love-lies-bleeding (_amaranthus caudatus_--Linn.). In _poetry_, an imaginary flower that never fades. (Milton.) In _chromatics_, a colour inclining to purple.

=AMARYTH'RINE.= A bitter principle found, in certain lichens, a.s.sociated with erythrine (which _see_).

=AMASI.= This, the native name given by the natives of Central Africa to sour milk, which they prepare by adding to the new milk, a small quant.i.ty of milk previously allowed to become sour. The milk thus acidified is considered by them far more wholesome than new milk.

=AMAUROSIS.= _Syn._ GUTTA SERENA, SUFFUSIO NIGRA. A diminution or total loss of sight, arising from paralysis of the retina or optic nerve.

=AM'BER.= _Syn._ ELEC'TRON, Gr.; ELEC'TRUM, SUC'CINUM (Ph. D.), L.; AMBRE, SUCCIN, Fr.; BERNSTEIN, Ger.; LYNX-STONE, LA'PIS LYN'CIS, L. A well-known yellowish, semi-transparent, fossil resin, of which trinkets and the mouth-pieces of pipes are commonly made.

_Nat. hist., &c._ Amber is found in detached pieces on the sea-coast, and is dug up in diluvial soils. That of commerce comes chiefly from the southern coasts of the Baltic, where it is cast ash.o.r.e between Konigsberg and Memel; and from Ducal Prussia, Saxony, Poland, Sicily, and Maryland (U.S.), where it is dug out of beds or mines. It has also been found on the sh.o.r.es of Norfolk, and small pieces are occasionally dug up in the gravel pits round London. It is probably an antediluvian resin; and when found on the coast, is supposed to be disengaged, by the action of the sea, from neighbouring beds of lignite or fossil coal. Much diversity of opinion for a long time prevailed amongst naturalists and chemists as to the origin of amber, some referring it to the vegetable, others to the mineral, and some even to the animal kingdom; its natural history and a.n.a.lysis affording something in favour of each. The vegetable origin of amber has, however, been recently shown by various facts, and is now generally admitted. According to Sir David Brewster, its optical properties are those of an indurated vegetable juice. ('Ed. Phil. Journ.,'

ii.) Insects and fragments of vegetables are frequently found imbedded in it; and this in a manner which could only have occurred when the resin was a viscid fluid. Microscopical researches have led to the conclusion that it is the production of some species of pine, closely allied to the pinus balsamea. ('Entom. Trans.,' i & ii.)

_Manuf._ Amber is WORKED in a lathe, POLISHED with whiting and water or rottenstone-and-oil, and FINISHED OFF by friction with flannel. During the operation the pieces often become hot and electrical, and fly into fragments; to avoid which they are kept as cool as possible, and only worked for a short period at a time. The workmen are said to often suffer considerably from electrical excitement. Amber is JOINED and MENDED by smearing the surface of the pieces with linseed or boiled oil, and then strongly pressing them together, at the same time holding them over a charcoal fire, or heating them in any other convenient way in which they will not be exposed to injury. The commoner varieties are HARDENED and rendered CLEARER, either by boiling them in rape oil for about 24 hours, or by surrounding the pieces with clean sand in an iron pot, and exposing them to a gradually increasing heat for 30 or 40 hours. During this process small fragments are kept in the sand at the side of the pot, for the purpose of occasional examination, lest the heat be raised too high, or be too long continued.

_Prop., &c._ Hard; brittle; tasteless; glossy; generally translucent, but sometimes opaque, and occasionally, though rarely, transparent; colour generally yellow or orange, but sometimes yellowish-white; becomes negatively electric by friction; smells agreeably when rubbed or heated; fracture conchoidal and vitreous or resinous; soluble in the pure alkalies, and, without decomposition, in oil of vitriol, which then becomes purple; insoluble in the essential and fixed oils without long digestion and heat; soluble in chloroform; melts at about 550 Fahr.; burns with a yellow flame, emitting at the same time a peculiar fragrant odour, and leaving a light and shiny coal. By dry distillation it yields inflammable gases, a small quant.i.ty of water, a little acetic acid, a volatile oil (OIL OF AMBER; O'LEUM SUC'CINI, L.) at first pale, afterwards brown, thick, and empyreumatic, and an acid (SUCCIN'IC ACID; ACIDUM SUCCIN'Ic.u.m, L.); with residual charcoal 12 to 13%. Sp. gr. 1065 to 109, but usually about 1070. It cannot be fused without undergoing more or less chemical change.

_Ident._ Amber may be known from mellite and copal, both of which articles are occasionally subst.i.tuted for it, by the following characteristics:--1.

MELLITE is infusible by heat, and burns white:--2. A piece of COPAL, heated on the point of a knife, catches fire, and runs into drops, which flatten as they fall:--3. AMBER burns with spitting and frothing, and when its liquefied particles drop, they rebound from the plane on which they fall (M. Hauy):--4. Neither mellite nor copal yields succinic acid by distillation; nor the agreeable odour of amber when burnt; nor do they become so readily electric by friction.

_Uses._ It is chiefly made into mouth-pieces for pipes, beads for necklaces, and other ornaments and trinkets. It is also used as the basis of several excellent varnishes. In _medicine_, it was formerly given in chronic coughs, hysteria, &c.--_Dose_ (of the powder), 10 to 60 gr.