Part 72
[Footnote 196: The final addition of the 3 _lbs._ of powdered gum, ordered in the formula of their liquid blacking, is not mentioned by the patentees; and we therefore presume they do not intend it to be made. If made, it should be at the end of the week, and the daily stirring must then be continued for another week. This addition, or omission, enables us to produce two qualities from the same formula.]
3. Ivory-black, 1 cwt.; treacle, 28 lbs.; rape oil (or other cheap oil), 1 gall.; mix, as before; then add of oil of vitriol, 21 _lbs._; (diluted with) water, 2 _galls._; mix them quickly and thoroughly by forcible stirring with a strong wooden spatula, and as soon as admixture is complete, but whilst still fuming, put the cover on the tub, and leave it till the next day, when (without further stirring) it will be fit for use or sale.[197] Good ordinary. Used for packets and tins.
[Footnote 197: The object here is to make the product as spongy and light as possible, so that the purchaser may fancy he has a great deal for his money.]
4. As the last; but adding with the ivory-black, &c., 14 to 28 _lbs._ of coal-soot[198] (sifted), omitting one half of the oil, and diluting the vitriol with an extra gall. of water. Inferior. Chiefly used for 1_d._ and 1/2_d._ packets.[199]
[Footnote 198: This is also to give bulk.]
[Footnote 199: A still more common article is vended in the north of England, and in Scotland, in which the oil is omitted altogether. The sale of such blackings (?) is disreputable, when it is remembered that a really good article may be made for 2_d._ to 2-1/2_d._ per _lb._]
5. (GERMAN BLACKING). Ivory-black, 1 part; treacle, 1/2 part; sweet oil, 1/8 part; mix, as before; then stir in a mixture of hydrochloric acid, 1/8 part; oil of vitriol, 1/4 part (each separately diluted with twice its weight of water before mixing them). This forms the ordinary paste-blacking of Germany, according to Liebig.
6. (_Without Vitriol._) As I, 5 (_antè_); but with the omission of the last 1/2 gall. of 'vinegar.'
_Concluding Remarks._--To produce a first-rate article of blacking it is absolutely necessary that the ingredients be of the best quality, and used in the proper proportions; and that the order of their admixture, and the general manipulations, be conducted under ordinary circumstances, in the manner described in the first of the above formulæ. The proportions of the treacle and the oil (the most expensive of the ingredients) should not be stinted; and, indeed, that of the latter may be safely increased in quantity, without materially affecting the polish, and with manifest advantage as far as the softness and durability of the leather to which it is applied is concerned. The manipulations required in the manufacture of both paste-blacking and liquid blacking are essentially the same; the difference between the two articles, when the same materials are used, depending entirely on the quantity of liquid added. Thus, as noticed before, by diluting paste-blacking with water, vinegar, or beer-bottoms, it may be converted into liquid blacking of a nearly similar quality; and, by using less fluid matter, the ingredients of liquid blacking will produce paste blacking. One thing must, however, be observed, and that is, that the ivory-black used for liquid blacking should be reduced to a much finer powder than for paste blacking; as, if this is not attended to, it is apt to settle at the bottom, and to be with difficulty again diffused through the liquid. Persons who object to the use of blacking containing oil of vitriol may employ formula I, 5, or II, 6 (_above_). The vitriol, however, greatly contributes to promote the shining properties of the blacking; and, in small quantities, or in the proper proportion, is not so injurious to the leather as some persons have represented; as it wholly unites itself to the lime of the bone-phosphate contained in the ivory-black, and is thus neutralised, insoluble sulphate of lime, and an acid phosphate or superphosphate, being formed. It is the latter that gives the acidity to a well-made sample of blacking, and not the sulphuric acid originally added to it. In this way the larger portion of the ivory-black is reduced to a state of extremely minute division, and with the other ingredients forms a strongly adhesive paste, which clings to the surface of the leather, and is susceptible of receiving a high polish by friction when in a scarcely dry state. This is the reason why lamp-black should never be employed for blacking to the exclusion of the necessary proportion of bone-black, as it has no earthy base to absorb or neutralise the acid, which, if left in a free state, would prove very hurtful to the leather. Oil of vitriol is now employed in the manufacture of all the more celebrated and expensive blackings; and that simply because no other substance is known so efficient, and so little injurious to the leather. In the common blackings of Germany, hydrochloric acid is often used to the entire exclusion of oil of vitriol; but blacking so prepared possesses several disadvantages from which that of England is free. In the best German blackings only a small portion of this acid is used, as may be seen by reference to formula II, 5 (_above_). The addition of white-of-egg, isinglass, and similar articles[200] to blacking, always proves injurious, as they tend to stiffen the leather and to make it crack, without at all improving its polishing properties. Even gum-arabic, in quantity, is on this account objectionable. Oil has an opposite tendency, and, as already stated, the quantity commonly used may be increased with advantage. Resin oil should be particularly avoided.
[Footnote 200: In Scotland, flour-paste soured by keeping is often substituted for part of the treacle in the common blackings; with the effect, however, of greatly impairing their polishing qualities, and causing the leather to rapidly become stiff and to crack. Further, such blacking will not keep, often growing mouldy and hard in two or three weeks.]
Dr Ure has recommended the use of a little copperas[201] in blacking; with the object, we presume, of striking a black with the tan in the leather; but except with new, or nearly new leather, this effect would not occur, whilst its presence, if not objectionable, would otherwise be useless.
[Footnote 201: The proportion recommended by Dr Ure is 1/4 _oz._ to each _lb._ of bone-black, dissolved in 10 parts of water, and to be added with the vitriol.]
The only improvement that has been introduced in the manufacture of blacking since the early days of the celebrated Day & Martin is, a few hours after the conclusion of the mixture of the ingredients (but before adding the vinegar, if any), to simmer the whole very gently, for about 8 or 10 minutes, observing to stir it assiduously all the time. The fire must then be withdrawn, and the pan covered over until it is quite cold, when half an hour's lusty stirring will finish the process.[202] In this way a degree of maturity and brilliancy will be imparted to the product, which, without the application of heat, it would take months to acquire, if, indeed, it ever reached it.
[Footnote 202: A capacious enamelled cast-iron boiler, with a concave bottom, should be used for this purpose; in which case the ingredients can be mixed in it, and thus the trouble of removal avoided. If a common copper or cast-iron boiler be employed, the blacking must not be allowed to remain in it longer than necessary to give it the 'simmer,' at the conclusion of which it should be turned out into a wooden tub or vat to cool.]
As it is generally more convenient to measure than to weigh liquids, it may be useful to remind the reader that, in round numbers,
1 gal. of oil weighs 9-1/4 _lbs._ 1 " sour beer " 10-1/4 " 1 " vinegar } " 10 " 1 " water }
We may here further remark that the blackings of different houses vary considerably in some of their properties; as also do those of even the same maker by age. Some blackings dry off rapidly and give a very brilliant polish with very little labour; whilst others take a little longer to 'dry off,' and somewhat more labour to polish them. The former are best adapted to hasty use, and when a very brilliant surface is desired; the latter when depth of polish, without extreme brilliancy, satisfies the wearer. The first best meets the requirements of fashionable life; the last those of the middle classes and pedestrians exposed to dirt, mud, and the various vicissitudes of travelling and weather. To the one belong the 'blackings' of Everett, Day & Martin, &c.; to the other, those of Warren, Bryant & James, and most of the smaller manufacturers, with nearly all the paste-blacking of the more respectable shops. Time, however, equalises the qualities of these two classes. Blackings which are crude, moist, and oily lose these properties, and become drier and more brilliant by age. The practice of several of the first-class West-end boot and shoe makers is never to use a blacking which they have not had in their stock at least a twelvemonth.
Blacking, both liquid and paste, should be stored in a cool and moderately dry cellar; and when in use should be kept corked or otherwise excluded from the air. Exposure or desiccation destroys most of its best qualities.
The present annual value of the blacking consumed in the United Kingdom is estimated at 562,500_l._, or about 4-1/2_d._ per head for the whole population; while the collective yearly value of that exported is about 35,000_l._
[See BALLS, BLACKING, BONE-BLACK, BOOTS AND SHOES, LEATHER, SULPHURIC ACID, &c.; also _below_.]
=Blacking, Automat'ic.= _Syn._ SELF-SHI''NING BLACKING, SPAN'ISH JAPAN, &c. _Prep._ 1. Gum-arabic, 4 _oz._; treacle or coarse moist sugar, 1-1/2_oz._; good black ink, 1/4 pint; strong vinegar, 2 _oz._; rectified spirit of wine and sweet oil, of each 1 _oz._; dissolve the gum in the ink, add the oil, and rub them in a mortar or shake them together for some time, until they are thoroughly united; then add the vinegar, and lastly the spirit.
2. Lamp-black, 3/4 _oz._; indigo (in fine powder), 1 _dr._; put them in a mortar, or basin, and rub them with sufficient mucilage (made by dissolving 4 _oz._ of gum in 1/4 pint of strong vinegar) to form a thin paste; add very gradually of sweet oil, 1 _oz._; and triturate until their union is complete, adding toward the end the rest of the mucilage; then further add of treacle, 1-1/2 _oz._; and afterwards, successively, of strong vinegar, 2 _oz._; rectified spirit, 1 _oz._; lastly, bottle for use.
3. Mix the whites of 2 eggs with a table-spoonful of spirit of wine, 2 large lumps of sugar (crushed), and sufficient finely powdered ivory-black to give the required colour and thickness, avoiding excess.
_Obs._ The above are chiefly used for dress boots and shoes. The first two are applied to the leather with the tip of the finger, or a sponge, and then allowed to dry out of the dust. The third is commonly laid on with a sponge or soft brush, and when almost dry or hard may have its polish heightened with a brush or soft rubber, after which it is left for a few hours to harden. It may also be used to revive the faded black leather seats and backs of old chairs. They all possess great brilliancy for a time; but are only adapted to clean, dry weather, or indoor use. They should all be applied to the leather as thinly as possible, as otherwise they soon crack off.
=Blacking, Har'ness.= Good glue or gelatine, 4 _oz._; gum-arabic, 3 _oz._; water, 3/4 pint; dissolve by heat; add of treacle, 6 _oz._; ivory-black (in very fine powder), 5 _oz._; and gently evaporate, with constant trituration, until of a proper consistence when cold; when nearly cold put it into bottles, and cork them down. For use, the bottle may be warmed a little to thin it, if necessary. Does not resist the wet.
2. Mutton suet, 2 _oz._; bees-wax (pure), 6 _oz._; melt, add of sugar candy (in fine powder), 6 _oz._; soft soap, 2 _oz._; lamp-black, 2-1/2 _oz._; indigo (in fine powder), 1/2 _oz._; when thoroughly incorporated, further add of oil of turpentine, 1/4 pint; and pour it into pots or tins.
3. Bees'-wax, 1 _lb._; soft soap, 6 _oz._; ivory-black, 1/4 _lb._; Prussian blue, 1 _oz._; (ground in) linseed oil, 2 _oz._; oil of turpentine, 1/2 pint; to be mixed, &c., as before.
_Obs._ The above are used by laying a very little of them on the leather, evenly spreading it over the surface, and then polishing it by gentle friction with a brush, or a soft-rubber. The last two are waterproof. Numerous compositions of the class are vended by the saddlers and oilmen, but the mass of them are unchemical mixtures, badly prepared, and cause disappointment to those who use them. Such is not the case with the products of the above formulæ, if we may rely on the statements of those who have employed them for years. The last two are suitable for both harness and carriage leather. See BALLS, HEEL, &c.
=BLADD'ER.= _Syn._ VES'ICA, L.; VESSIE, Fr.; BLASE, BLATTER, Ger. In _anatomy_, &c., a thin membranous sac or bag, in an animal, serving as a receptacle for some secreted fluid; appr., the urinary bladder. See CALCULUS, INFLAMMATION, RUPTURE, &c.
=Bladd'ers.= (In _commerce_.) The better qualities of these articles are prepared by cutting off the fat and loose membranes attached to them, and washing them first in a weak solution of chloride of lime, and afterwards in clear water; they are then blown out and submitted to strong pressure by rolling them under the arm, by which they become considerably larger; they are next blown quite tight, dried, and tied up in dozens. Commoner qualities are merely emptied, the loose fat removed, and then blown out, and strung up to dry. Used chiefly by druggists and oilmen to tie over pots, bottles, and jars, and to contain pill-masses, hard extracts, and other similar substances; also in surgery, to cover wounds, sore heads, &c.--_Obs._ Bladders should never be purchased unless perfectly dry and air-tight; as, if the reverse be the case, they will neither keep nor prove useful, but will rapidly become rotten and evolve a most offensive odour. If purchased whilst damp, they should be at once hung up in a current of air, so as to dry as soon as possible.
=BLAIN*= (bl[=a]ne). A boil; a sore; a pustule.
=BLANC= (bl[)o]ng). [Fr.] In _cookery_, a dish which, according to Mrs Rundell, is formed of grated bacon and suet, of each 1 _lb._; butter, 1/2 _lb._; 2 lemons; 3 or 4 carrots (cut into dice); 3 or 4 onions; and a little water; the whole being simmered for a short time, with or without the addition of a glass of sherry or marsala, before serving.
=BLANCH'ING.= _Syn._ CANDICA'TIO, DEALBA'TIO, &c., L.; BLANCHIMENT, &c., Fr.; BLEICHEN, &c., Ger. A whitening, or making white; a growing white. In some cases it means decortication. See ALMONDS, BLEACHING, DECOLORATION, &c.
=Blanching.= In _cookery_, an operation intended to impart whiteness, plumpness, and softness, to joints of meats, poultry, tongues, palates, &c. It is usually performed by putting the articles into cold water, which is then gradually raised to the boiling point, when they are at once taken out, plunged into cold water, and left there until quite cold. They are subsequently removed and wiped dry, ready for being dressed.
_Obs._ The operation of blanching meat, although it renders it more sightly according to the notions of fashionable life, at the same time lessens its nutritive qualities, by abstracting a portion of the soluble saline matter which it contains, especially the phosphates, and thus deprives it of one of the principal features which distinguish fresh meat from salted meat. Animal food, before being dressed, may be washed or rinsed in cold water without injury, provided it be quickly done; but it cannot be soaked in water at any temperature much below the boiling-point without the surface, and the parts near it, being rendered less nutritious. Washing meat when first received from the butcher is, indeed, a necessary act of cleanliness; but soaking it for some time in water is unnecessary, and for the reasons stated should be avoided.
Strong acetic acid (concentrated vinegar) poured on or rubbed over hard lean meat gradually renders it soft and gelatinous. Ordinary household vinegar has the same effect, but in a less degree. Tough meat thus treated for a short time before dressing it becomes more tender and digestible, though somewhat less nutritious; whilst the taste and flavour of the vinegar is removed by the heat subsequently employed in dressing it.
=BLANCMANGE'.= (blo-m[)o]n_g_zh'[double-dagger].) _Syn._ BLANCMANGER (bl[)o]n_g_-m[)o]n_g_-zh[=a]), Fr. _Literally_, white food; in _cookery_, a confected white jelly. It is commonly prepared by simmering 1 _oz._ of isinglass, 2 or 3 _oz._ of lump sugar, and a little flavouring,[203] in about a pint of milk, until the first is dissolved, when the whole is thrown into a jelly-bag, and the strained liquor is allowed to cool and solidify; it is next remelted by a gentle heat, and, when nearly cold, poured into moulds, which have been previously rubbed with a little salad oil and then wiped out again.
[Footnote 203: This may be 5 or 6 bitter almonds (grated), or a little cinnamon, orange, or lemon peel, &c., at will. Sometimes these are omitted, and a little orange-flower water, rose-water, or essence of vanilla, added to the remelted jelly.]
_Obs._ Good gelatine, or strong calves' feet jelly, is often substituted for the isinglass. At other times the jelly is made with about 1/2 pint of water (instead of milk), when 1/2 pint of almond-milk, or of cream, is added to the remelted jelly. Sometimes ground rice or arrow-root is employed in lieu of isinglass, when the product is called RICE-BLANCMANGE, or WEST-INDIAN B., as the case may be. TRANSPA''RENT BLANCMANGE[204] is merely clarified isinglass-jelly, flavoured. See CREAM (Stone), ISINGLASS, and JELLY.
[Footnote 204: A misnomer of the confectioners and cooks.]
=BLANQUETTE'= (blan_g_-ket'). [Fr.] In _cookery_, a species of white fricasee. It is also the name of a delicate species of white wine, and of a particular sort of pear.
=BLAST'ING.= In _civil_ and _military engineering_, the disruption of rocks, &c., by the explosion of gunpowder, or other like material.
=BLAST'ING POWDERS= (Melville and Callow's). _Prep._ 1. (POWDER NO. 1.) Chlorate of potassa, 2 parts; red sulphuret of arsenic, 1 part; to be separately carefully reduced to powder, and lightly mixed together, scrupulously avoiding the use of iron instruments, percussion, much friction, the slightest contact with acids, or exposure to heat.
2. (POWDER NO. 2.) Chlorate of potassa, 5 parts; red sulphuret of arsenic, 2 parts; ferrocyanide of potassium (prussiate of potash), 1 part; as No. 1.
3. (POWDER NO. 3.) Chlorate of potassa and ferrocyanide of potassium, equal parts.
_Obs._ These compounds are not permanently injured by either salt or fresh water, merely requiring to be dried to regain their explosive character. They possess fully eight times the force of ordinary powder. One of their advantages, especially to the underground miner, is the very trifling amount of smoke produced by their explosion. On the other hand, the extreme facility with which they explode by attrition, contact with a strong acid, and a slight elevation of temperature, render them unsuited to most of the purposes of ordinary gunpowder. On this account they should only be prepared in small quantities at a time, and with the utmost caution. Mr Callow, the inventor of them, lost several of his fingers, and was rendered a cripple for life, by an explosion of the kind referred to, which occurred only a few weeks after the sealing of his patent. A straw, or small strip of wood, only slightly wetted with oil of vitriol, and applied to a small heap of the powder, produces instantaneous explosion. Captain Wynand's 'Saxifragine' is composed of nitrate of baryta, 76 parts; charcoal, 22 parts; and nitre, 2 parts. Schultze's wood-gunpowder is composed of granulated wood treated with a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acid, afterwards impregnated with a solution of nitre. M. Bäudish has invented a method by which this wood-gunpowder may be compressed into a solid substance, exerting great power and free from danger by transport. Lithofracteur, a white blasting powder used in Belgium, is a substance similar to gun-cotton.
Messrs Nenmayer and Fehleisen's haloxylin is composed of charcoal, nitre, and yellow prussiate of potash. See GUN-COTTON, GUNPOWDER, MINING, &c.
=BLATTA ORIENTALIS.= The common cockroach, originally imported from the East, belongs to the family of orthopterous insects; and may be classed amongst the most offensive and objectionable of domestic pests. It is extremely voracious, not only devouring all kinds of provisions, but attacking and consequently destroying silk, flannel, and even cotton fabrics, in the absence of anything more eatable. The cockroach is nocturnal in its habits, and exceedingly active and swift of movement. Its flattened form enables it to insinuate itself easily into crevices, and so to escape detection. The American cockroach (_Blatta Americana_) is larger than the above. A still larger species (_Blatta gigantea_) is found in the West Indies where it is known by the name of the drummer. It is so called from the tapping noise it makes on wood, the sound so produced, when joined in by several of the creatures (as it usually is) being sufficient to destroy the slumbers of a household.
Cockroaches may be poisoned by means of wafers made of red lead, or caught by smearing a piece of wood with treacle, and floating it on a broad basin of water. When the fires and lights are extinguished they issue from their holes, and fall into the basin in their efforts to reach the bait. The chinks and holes from which they come should also be filled up with unslaked lime, and some lime should also be sprinkled about the ground.
Old Gerrard says they avoid any place in which the leaves of the mullein are strewn about.
The _Blatta Orientalis_, which was formerly supposed to possess remedial powers, and was hence employed in medicine by the more ancient therapeutists, has lately found advocates for his readmission into the animal materia medica. He is reported, when made into a tincture, to act as a diuretic, and to yield a crystalline body possessed of similar properties, but in a more concentrated form. Some of the American journals report that he may be given in the form of powder or infusion (from 15 to 30 gr.) 3 or 4 times a day, in dropsy, and to increase the secretion of urine as well as of perspiration.
=BLEACH'ING=, (bl[=e]che'-). _Syn._ DEÄLBA'TIO (-sh'o), INSOLA'TIO,[205] &c., L.; BLANCHIMENT, BLANCHISSAGE, Fr.; BLEICHEN, Ger. The process by which the colour of bodies, natural or acquired, is removed, and by which they are rendered white or colourless. It is more particularly applied to the decolorisation of textile filaments, and of cloths made of them.
[Footnote 205: Bleaching by exposure in the sun.]