Cooley's Cyclopaedia of Practical Receipts Volume Ii Part 208

=SHER'RY.= _Syn._ SHERRY WINE, SHERRIS; VINUM XERIc.u.m (Ph. L.), VINUM ALb.u.m (Ph. E.), VINUM ALb.u.m HISPANIc.u.m (Ph. D.), L. This is the only wine ordered in the British Pharmacopias. See WINES.

=SHERRY-COBBLER.= _Prep._ (Redwood.) Half fill a tumbler with clean pounded ice; add a table-spoonful of powdered white sugar, a few thin slices of lemon with the peel (or some strawberries or other similar fruit, bruised), and a wine-gla.s.sful or more of sherry wine; mix them together (lightly), and as the ice melts, suck the liquor through a straw (or a small tube of silver or gla.s.s).

_Obs._ A favourite American drink; very refreshing in hot weather.

=SHIN"GLES.= _Syn._ ZOSTER, HERPES ZOSTER, HERPES ZONA, L. A local variety of herpes or tetter, remarkable for forming a kind of belt round or partly round some part of the trunk of the body, chiefly the waist or abdomen. See TETTERS.

=SHODDY.= The epithet (we believe of American origin) is applied to the old, used-up wool and cloth, fraudulently mixed with fresh woollen fabrics. A plan for the examination of a fabric suspected of containing shoddy has been given by a German chemist, Herr Schlesinger, and is as follows:--Examine it with the microscope and note if it contains cotton, silk, or linen, as well as wool. If so dissolve them by ammoniacal solution of copper. A qualitative examination is thus obtained. Then direct attention to the wool. In shoddy both coloured and colourless fibres are often seen, the fibres having been derived from different cloths which have been partially bleached; the colouring matter, if any, instead of consisting of one pigment, will be composed of two or three different kinds, such as indigo, purpurin, or madder. Again, the diameter of the wool is never so regular as in fresh wool, but is seen to vary suddenly or gradually in diameter, and suddenly widens again with a little swelling, and tapers off again, besides which the cross markings or scales are almost always absent. When shoddy-wool is placed in liquor pota.s.sae it is much more speedily attacked than new wool.

=SHOT METAL.= _Prep._ From lead, 1000 parts; a.r.s.enic, 3 parts. When the lead is coa.r.s.e, 6 to 8 parts of metallic a.r.s.enic are required to fit it for this purpose.

=SHOW BOTTLES.= The large ornamental carboys and jars filled with coloured liquids, and displayed in the shop-windows of druggists, may be noticed under this head. They are striking objects when the solutions they contain are bright and of a deep pure tint, especially at night, when they are seen by transmitted light. The following formulae for the solutions have been recommended by different persons:--

AMBER. From dragon's blood (in coa.r.s.e powder), 1 part; oil of vitriol, 4 parts; digest, and, when the solution is complete, dilute the mixture with distilled or soft water, q. s.

BLUE.--_a._ From blue vitriol, 2 oz.; oil of vitriol, 1/2 oz.; water, 1 pint.--_b._ A solution of indigo in sulphuric acid, diluted with water, q. s.--_c._ A solution of soluble Prussian blue in either oxalic or hydrochloric acid, slightly diluted, and afterwards further diluted with water to the proper shade of colour.

CRIMSON.--_a._ From alkanet root, 1 oz.; oil of turpentine, 1 pint. Used chiefly for the bull's eyes of lamps.--_b._ As PINK (_b_), _below_.

GREEN.--_a._ From sulphate of copper, 2 oz.; bichromate of potash, 1 dr., or q. s.; water, 1 pint.--_b._ A solution of sulphate of copper, 2 oz.; chloride of sodium, 4 oz.; water, 1 pint, or q. s.--_c._ A solution of distilled verdigris in acetic acid, diluted with water, q. s.--_d._ Dissolve blue vitriol in water, and add nitric acid until it turns green.

LILAC.--_a._ Dissolve crude oxide of cobalt (zaffre) in nitric or hydrochloric acid, add sesquicarbonate of ammonia, in excess, and afterwards sufficient ammonio-sulphate of copper to strike the colour.--_b._ As the purple, but more diluted.

MAGENTA. Acetate of rosaniline, dissolved in water, q. s.

OLIVE. Dissolve sulphate of iron and oil of vitriol, equal weights, in water, and add of nitrate of copper, q. s. to strike the colour.

ORANGE.--_a._ A solution of bichromate of potash in water, either with or without the addition of some hydrochloric or sulphuric acid.--_b._ Dissolve gamboge or annotta in liquor of pota.s.sa; dilute with water, and add a little spirit.

PINK.--_a._ To a solution of chloride or nitrate of cobalt, in water, add sesquicarbonate of ammonia, q. s. to dissolve the precipitate at first formed.--_b._ From madder (washed with cold water), 1 oz.; sesquicarbonate of ammonia, 4 oz.; water, 3 pints; digest, with agitation, for 24 hours, then dilute with more water, and filter.

PURPLE.--_a._ A solution of sulphate of copper, 1 oz., in water, 1 quart, or q. s., with the addition of sesquicarbonate of ammonia, 1-1/2 oz.--_b._ To the last add a sufficient quant.i.ty of the first pink (_above_) to turn the colour.--_c._ To an infusion of logwood, add carbonate of ammonia or of pota.s.sa, q. s.--_d._ Sugar of lead, 3 oz.; powdered cochineal, 1 dr.; water, q. s.--_e._ Add sulphate of indigo, nearly neutralised with chalk, to an infusion of cochineal, till it turns purple.

RED.--_a._ Dissolve carmine in liquor of ammonia, and dilute with water.--_b._ Digest powdered cochineal in a weak solution of ammonia or of sal ammoniac, and afterwards dilute with water.--_c._ Add oil of vitriol, 4 oz., to water, 1 gall., and digest dried red rose leaves, 8 oz., in the mixture for 24 hours.--_d._ Dissolve madder lake in a solution of sesquicarbonate of ammonia, and dilute the solution with water.

VIOLET. To a solution of nitrate of cobalt in a solution of sesquicarbonate of ammonia, add solution of ammonio-sulphate of copper, q. s. to strike the colour.

YELLOW.--_a._ A solution of sesquioxide or rust of iron, 1/2 lb., in hydrochloric acid, 1 quart, diluted with water.--_b._ To a strong decoction of French berries add a little alum.--_c._ A simple solution of chromate or bichromate of potash in distilled water.--_d._ A solution of equal parts of nitre and either chromate or bichromate of potash, in water.

_Obs._ Most of the above require filtering, which should be done through powdered gla.s.s, placed in a gla.s.s funnel, and never through paper. They usually need a second filtration, after being exposed to the light for some weeks; hence it is convenient always to make a little more of them than is required to fill the bottle, as several of them, when diluted after filtration, become again turbid. Distilled water or filtered rain water should be used.

=SHRIMP.= See Sh.e.l.l-FISH.

=SHRUB.= A species of concentrated cold punch, prepared with lemon juice, spirit, sugar, and water. When the word is used in its unqualified form, RUM SHRUB is alluded to.

=Shrub, Brandy.= _Prep._ 1. Take of brandy, 1 gall.; orange and lemon juice, of each 1 pint; peels of 2 oranges; do. of 1 lemon; digest for 24 hours, strain, and add of white sugar, 4 lbs., dissolved in water, 5 pints; in a fortnight decant the clear liquid for use.

2. As RUM SHRUB (below), but using brandy.

=Shrub, Lemon.= _Syn._ LEMONADE SHRUB. Concentrated lemonade, either with or without the addition of a little spirit. Used to make lemonade or lemon sherbet.

=Shrub, Punch.= Concentrated punch, made with equal parts of spirit and water. Used to make punch.

=Shrub, Rum.= _Prep._ 1. As BRANDY SHRUB, but subst.i.tuting rum for brandy.

2. Take of rum, at proof, 34 gall. (or, if of any other strength, an equivalent quant.i.ty); essential oils of orange and lemon, of each 2 oz., dissolved in rectified spirit, 1 quart; good lump sugar, 300 lbs.; dissolved in water, 20 galls.; mix well by 'rummaging,' and gradually and cautiously add of Seville orange juice, or of a solution of tartaric acid in water, q. s. to produce a pleasant but scarcely perceptible acidity; next 'rummage' well for 15 minutes, then add sufficient water to make the whole measure exactly 100 galls., and again 'rummage' well for at least half an hour; lastly, bung the cask down loosely, and allow it to repose for some days. In a fortnight, or less, it will usually be sufficiently 'brilliant' to be racked. The product is 100 galls., at 66 u. p.

_Obs._ Rum shrub is the kind in the greatest demand, and that having a slight preponderance of the orange flavour is the most esteemed. If wholly flavoured with lemon it is apt to acquire a kind of 'dead' or 'musty'

flavour by long keeping. The subst.i.tution of a few gallons of brandy for a portion of the rum, or the addition, after racking, of about 1 oz. each of bruised bitter almonds, cloves, and ca.s.sia, the peels of about 2 dozen oranges, and a 'thread' of the essences of ambergris and vanilla, render it delicious.

=SIAL'OGOGUES.= Medicines which increase the flow of saliva. Mercurials and pellitory of Spain belong to this cla.s.s.

=SICK'NESS.= Nausea and vomiting frequently arise from the use of improper food, and other articles which offend the stomach; at other times it is symptomatic of some disease, as colic, cholera, dyspepsia, head affections, incipient fever, &c.; in which case the primary affection should be attended to. Nausea lowers the pulse, contracts the small vessels, occasions cold perspiration, severe rigors, and trembling; and diminishes, as long as it lasts, the actions, and even the general powers, of life. The act of retching, and vomiting more especially, on the contrary, rouses rather than depresses, puts to flight all the preceding symptoms, and often restores the system to itself.

The best remedies or palliatives in these affections are effervescing saline draughts, either with or without the addition of a few drops of tincture of henbane, or tincture of opium. A gla.s.s of genuine lemonade, iced, or a spoonful of crushed ice in a wine-gla.s.sful of mint water, is also very serviceable. Pepsin (Bullock and Reynolds) and oxalate of cerium are said to be most valuable remedies in the sickness of pregnancy. See DRAUGHTS, PREGNANCY, SEA SICKNESS, &c.

=SIFT'ING= is to pulverulent substances what filtration is to liquids; but in this case the medium through which the substance pa.s.ses is, usually, of a simpler and coa.r.s.er description. Sieves are commonly employed for the purpose, which are fitted with silk or bra.s.s-wire gauze for fine purposes, and horsehair cloth, or wire netting, for coa.r.s.er ones. Drum sieves are such as are furnished with covers and an enclosed s.p.a.ce to receive the fine powder that pa.s.ses through, by which dust and loss are prevented.

=SIGHT.= See VISION.

=Sight, Effect of Gaslight on.= The German Minister of Instruction has recently issued a report on the influence of gaslight on the eye. The conclusion arrived at in this report--the result of frequent conference with well-known physicians--is that no evil results follow a moderate use of gas, if the direct action of the yellow flame on the eye is prevented.

For this purpose screens or shades are employed. Very great objections, however, exist to the use of zinc or lead shades, most evils affecting the eye being traceable to them. Their use, it is said, inevitably tends to blindness or inflammation, and other harmful effects. The milky-white gla.s.s shade is the best, as it distributes the light and has a grateful effect on the eyes. The burner should not be too close to the head, as congestions of the forehead and headaches result from the radiated heat.

The gla.s.s plate below the gas, employed in some places, is especially useful for the purpose, as it causes an equal distribution of the light--necessary where a number are working at one burner--prevents the radiation of heat, and tends to a steady illumination by shielding the flames from currents of air. In cases of highly-inflamed eyes, dark-blue globes can be very beneficially employed. With precautions of this kind no evil effects from the burning of gas need be feared.

=SIG'NATURES (Fac-similes of).= These may be readily obtained as follows:--

1. Let the name be written on a piece of paper, and, while the ink is still wet, sprinkle over it some finely-powdered gum Arabic, then make a rim round it, and pour on it some fusible alloy in a liquid state.

Impressions may be taken from the plates formed in this way, by means of printing ink and the copper-plate press.

2. By the use of transfer ink and lithography.

=SILBER LIGHT.= This light is thus described in 'Dingler's Polytechnic Journal,'[161]--This mode of illumination is recommended where gas cannot be had.

[Footnote 161: ccix, 79 ('Journ. Chem. Society,' vol. xi, new series, 1273).]

The material used is oil, which is converted into gas before combustion takes place, whereby the combustion of the wick is greatly lessened (one wick may last a year); the acc.u.mulation of impurity is obviated, and the prevention of smell completely effected. The light is regular and uniform, and of a white colour. The light, with a burner 1-1/4 inch wide, is equal to that of 28 sperm candles, each consuming 120 gr. per hour, and with one 1-3/4 inch wide a light is obtained equal to 50 such candles.

The burning apparatus consists of a row of concentrically enclosed double cylinders, perpendicularly arranged at definite intervals. The innermost cylinder contains the wick between its two walls, the hollow s.p.a.ce in the interior serving to convey fresh air to the interior of the flame. The second cylinder conveys air to the outer side of the wick, and the third contains oil, and is in direct communication with both wick and reservoir.

The mouths of all these chambers have a dome-shaped head, and form a suitable opening in this; the gas streams forth in such a manner that it comes in contact with a current of air, and thus a complete combustion is attained.

According to the nature of the oil burnt the construction is somewhat varied in its minor details. Rape oil or light hydrocarbon oils are mentioned.

=SIL'ICA.= SiO_{2}. _Syn._ SILICIC ANHYDRIDE, SILICIC ACID, SILEX, SILICEOUS EARTH, EARTH OF FLINTS. This exists in quartz and rock crystal in a nearly pure state. The sands of rivers and the sea-sh.o.r.e, flint, and almost all the scintillating stones, chiefly consist of it.

Silica occurs under two conditions--the crystalline and the amorphous. The former variety has a sp. gr. of 2642; the amorphous of 22-23. Some of our well-known native gems and precious stones consist almost wholly of one of the above forms of silica. In agate and calcedony the two varieties are combined. Amethyst is silica, coloured purple by ferric oxide. Onyx is formed of calcedony arranged in layers of different colours. Cornelian is a red or brown variety of silica coloured with ferric oxide, whilst opal is amorphous silica combined with varying quant.i.ties of water. Silica is present in the stems of certain plants, such as wheat, many gra.s.ses, to which the shining appearance of the stems is due, &c. The Italians polish marble with the ashes of burnt straw, the usefulness of which for such a purpose depends upon the silica contained in the straw; for similar reasons the Dutch rush is thus employed. Silica also occurs in solution in many natural waters. In the geysers, or boiling springs of Iceland, it exists in large quant.i.ty.

It may be obtained in a state of absolute purity by pa.s.sing gaseous fluoride of silicon into water, collecting the resulting gelatinous precipitate on a calico filter, washing it with distilled water, drying it, and heating it to redness. Another method is to precipitate a solution of silicate of soda or pota.s.sa (soluble gla.s.s) with dilute hydrochloric acid, and to treat the precipitate as before.

Nearly pure silica may also be procured by heating colourless quartz to redness, and plunging it into cold water, by which treatment the quartz is rendered so friable as to be easily reducible to fine powder. Ordinary flints, subjected to this method, are found to yield silica in a condition approaching to purity. Amorphous silica is much more easily attacked by solvents than the crystalline variety. The artificial forms of silica are all amorphous.