Cooley's Cyclopaedia of Practical Receipts Volume I Part 125

The last great improvement in the manufacture of caoutchouc is the discovery that by continuing the process of vulcanisation for a longer time at an increased heat and under pressure, a hard black substance is obtained, which can be turned in a lathe like ebony. This substance has already been applied to an extraordinary number of uses. See VULCANITE.

An exceedingly useful combination of cork and india rubber has lately been introduced. See KAMPTULICON.

=Caoutchouc, Facti"tious.= See OIL, CONSOLIDATED.

=CAOUT'CHOUCIN.= An extremely light fluid obtained by distilling india rubber.

_Prep._ (Barnard's patent process.) A highly volatile fluid, discovered by Mr Barnard. India rubber or caoutchouc, as imported, cut into small lumps, containing about 2 cubic inches each, is thrown into a cast-iron still, connected with a well-cooled worm-tub (any flat vessel with a large evaporating surface will do, the entire top of which can be removed for the purpose of cleaning it out); and heat is applied in the usual way, until the thermometer ranges to about 600 Fahr., when nothing is left in the still but dirt and charcoal. The dark coloured fetid oil which has distilled over is next rectified along with 1/3rd its weight of water, once or oftener; and at each rectification becomes brighter and paler, until at about sp. gr. 680 it is colourless, and slightly volatile. The product is then shaken up with nitro-hydrochloric acid, or chlorine, in the proportion of a 1/4 of a pint of the acid to 1 gallon of the liquid.

To enable the dirt to be the more easily removed from the bottom of the still, common solder, to the depth of about 1/2 an inch, is thrown in.--_Prod._ 80%.

_Prop., &c._ Mixed with alcohol, caoutchoucin dissolves gums and resins, especially copal and india rubber, at the common temperature of the atmosphere, and it speedily evaporates, leaving them again in the solid state. It mixes with the oils in all proportions. It has been used in the manufacture of varnishes, and for liquefying oil paints, instead of turpentine. It is very volatile, and requires to be kept in close vessels.

According to the researches of Himly, Gregory, and Bouchardat, the caoutchoucin of Barnard consists of several liquids, some of which have the composition of olefiant gas, and others that of oil of turpentine.

=CA"PERS.= The flower buds of various species of _Capparis_, particularly _C. spinosa_, caper tree, preserved in vinegar. They are chiefly imported from Spain, Italy, and the south of France, where the caper tree is largely cultivated for the purpose. The flower-buds are picked daily, and thrown into a cask of strong pickling vinegar, until it becomes full, when it is sold to the dealers by the collector. The former sort them into different sizes by means of copper sieves, in a similar way to that adopted for lead shot and gunpowder. In this way they are divided into nonpareilles, capuchins, capotes, seconds, and thirds, of which the former, or smallest, are regarded as the best; but much depends upon the quality of the vinegar.

The bright green colour of capers, so much valued by the ignorant, arises chiefly from the presence of copper derived from the sieves used in sorting them. In many cases, copper coin, as sous and halfpence, are added for the purpose. Thus the eye is gratified at the sacrifice of the stomach, and an insidious poison introduced into the system, simply to give an unnatural appearance to a condiment which tastes better without it. See COPPER.

=CAPILLAIRE'.= [Fr.] Simple syrup, or a concentrated solution of sugar in water, flavoured with orange-flower water, or some other similar aromatic.

The name was originally given to a mucilaginous syrup, prepared by adding to an infusion of maiden-hair (_Adiantum capillus Veneris_) some sugar and orange-flower water.

=CAP'NOMOR.= See KAPNOMOR.

=CAP'RIC ACID.= HC_{10}H_{19}O_{2}. _Syn._ RU'TIC ACID; ACIDUM CAP'RIc.u.m, L. An acid discovered by Chevreul, and obtained by decomposing caprate of barium with dilute sulphuric acid, or primarily by the saponification of b.u.t.ter or cocoa-nut oil, when it appears combined with butyric, caproic and caprylic acids. It is also procured by acting upon oleic acid or oil of rue with nitric acid.

_Obs._ When b.u.t.ter is saponified with caustic pota.s.sa or soda, and the resulting soap decomposed by adding an acid, in excess, and distilling the mixture, the four acids above named pa.s.s over into the receiver, in combination with water. The mixed acids may be separated by saturating them collectively with baryta, and by taking advantage of the unequal solubility of the newly formed barium salts. The less soluble portion (equal to about 1/20th of the dry ma.s.s) contains capric and caprylic acid; the larger and more soluble portion, butyric and caproic acid. On the same plan the two groups are resolved into their separate acids. These acids are deprived of their uncombined water by means of chloride of calcium. It is advisable to employ the term rutic acid, as the older term is easily confounded with caproic and caprylic.

_Prop._ Capric or rutic acid crystallises in fine needles, which fuse at 86 Fahr., giving out an odour resembling that of a goat. It is sparingly soluble in boiling water.

_Prep._ (Miller.) Castor oil is saponified by means of pota.s.sa or soda, and afterwards an excess of the hydrated alkali is added, amounting to one half the oil used. The ma.s.s is heated in a retort, and an oily liquid covered with water distils over. This oily liquid, which is the octylic alcohol, is rectified several times with pota.s.sa until the residue is no longer coloured brown.--_Prop._ A colourless liquid, of powerful aromatic odour; insoluble in water, but dissolving readily in acetic acid, ether, and alcohol. Its boiling point is 356 Fr., its sp. gr, 823. The caprylate of ethyl, erroneously termed caprylic ether, is a colourless liquid, with an agreeable odour of pine-apples.

=CAPSAICIN.= Until the researches of Mr Thresh proved to the contrary the active principle of the capsic.u.m fruit, or cayenne pepper, and the one to which it was thought it owed its acrid and pungent properties, was believed to be an alkaloid, and was named capsicine in consequence. Mr Thresh succeeded in obtaining an alkaloid from the capsic.u.m, but this was entirely wanting in acridity and pungency. Its discoverer states that capsaicin occurs only in the pericarp of the fruit. The details of the process by which it may be obtained are given in the 'Year Book of Pharmacy' for 1876-77, from which it will be seen that the substance may also be procured by preparing a strong tincture of capsic.u.m, and submitting it to dialysis. Capsaicin when cautiously heated to 138 F., melts to a transparent oily fluid, and if then allowed to cool rapidly, it becomes solid, a.s.suming a crystalline condition in doing so. It volatilises at 240 F., without suffering decomposition. Strong nitric acid acts violently on it, decomposing and dissolving it. The crystals dissolve very readily in ether, amylic, alcohol, acetic ether, benzine, and fixed oils, and still more readily in alcohol, and in rectified and proof spirit. In turpentine and carbon disulphide it dissolves much more slowly. It is not affected by boiling for some considerable time in dilute sulphuric acid, and the acid liquor shows no signs of glucose.

A specimen of capsaicin which Mr Thresh believes to have been in a pure condition was sent to Dr Fluckiger's laboratory for a.n.a.lysis, and Dr Buri, by whom the combustion was made, reports that it gave the following composition:--C_{19}H_{14}O_{2}, a result which Mr Thresh found to agree very fairly with some capsaicin derived from a specimen fruit obtained from a different source from that sent to Dr Fluckiger. Administered internally in doses of the 1/25th of a gram, capsaicin gave rise to violent griping and purging; and when a lotion consisting of one part diluted with forty of glycerin and spirit was placed on the arm, it soon gave rise to such pain, and caused so much inflammation, that the lint which was wetted with the solution had to be removed very shortly after being applied.

=CAP'SIc.u.m.= [L. and Eng.] _Syn._ CHIL'I, RED PEPPER. A genus of plants belonging to the natural order Solanaceae, species of which yield the fruits which are used to form Cayenne pepper and Chili vinegar. The officinal capsic.u.m of B. P. is the fruit of the species _C. fastigiatum_.

See PEPPER, TINCTURES, VINEGARS.

=CAP'SULES.= This term is now commonly applied to small egg-shaped or spherical vessels, in which medicines are placed, for the purpose of covering their nauseous taste at the time of swallowing them. They are commonly made of gelatin, mixtures of sugar and gelatin, or animal membrane.

=Capsules, Gel'atin.= _Prep._ 1. By dipping the bulbous extremity of an oiled metallic rod into a strong solution of gelatin. When the rod is withdrawn, it is rotated, in order to diffuse the fluid jelly equally over its surface. As soon as the gelatinous film has partially hardened, it is removed from the mould and placed on pins, furnished with suitable heads, and fixed on a cork table. When sufficiently dry, the capsules are placed upright in little cells, made in the table to receive them, and the liquid with which they are to be filled is then introduced by means of a small gla.s.s tube. They are next closed by dropping some of the melted gelatin on the orifice of each. Six parts of gelatin, and one part sugar, are now the common proportions.

2. (Simonin.) Oval b.a.l.l.s of wax, of the requisite size, are prepared by pouring wax, into a wooden mould, consisting of two parts, and arranged for the reception of a row of these b.a.l.l.s. These are afterwards stuck on iron needles, affixed to rods of convenient size, in rows. The b.a.l.l.s are now uniformly coated all at once by dipping in the usual manner, then removed from the needles, and are next placed with the needle holes downwards, on a gently heated plate, when the wax flows out, and a round capsule is left behind.

=Cap'sules, Gel'atin and Su'gar.= _Prep._ (Giraud.) Gelatin, 6 parts; solution of gum and simple syrup, of each 1 part; water, 5 parts; melt in a water bath, remove the sc.u.m, and proceed as before.

=Capsules, Glut'en.= These, which form the subject of a French patent, are said to be formed of the gluten of wheat flour, a substance which is insoluble, although softened, by water. We have placed these capsules for twenty-four hours in warm water, and found them, at the expiration of that time, still unbroken, the enclosed medicine being completely enveloped.

The mode of preparation is kept secret.

=Capsules, Mem'branous.= _Syn._ ORGAN'IC CAPSULES. From gut-skin moistened and stretched over an oiled bulb of gla.s.s or metal, and filled in the common way. These have been patented, but they do not appear to be an improvement on the common capsule of gelatin.

_Obs._ The common capsules usually hold about 10 or 12 gr. of balsam of copaiba. Those of the shops in nine cases out of ten, are filled with adulterated copaiba, and at least 4-5ths of them are filled with train oil or linseed oil, to which a few drops only of the balsam are added.

Balsam of copaiba (capivi) and oil of cubebs, or a mixture of them, castor oil and cod-liver oil, are the substances most usually administered in this way. _Baccae copaiferae fact.i.tiae_ are officinal in the Ph. Castr. Ruth.

Ratier has proposed to grease them and administer them per anum. Ricord has strongly recommended capsules of copaiba, coated with extract of rhatany, as much superior to the common ones of copaiba alone, in the treatment of gleet and gonorrha. They may be easily prepared by either of the following methods:

1. By immersing, for an instant, the common capsule in a mixture of extract of rhatany (newly prepared from the root), 3 parts; syrup of moist sugar, 1 part; mucilage of gum Arabic, 1 part; melted together in a water bath.

2. By forming the bodies of the capsules with the above mixture or composition, instead of with gelatin, and then following the same manipulations as for the manufacture of the common gelatin capsules.

These capsules are said to sit well upon the stomach, the tone of which they contribute to improve, and to act with greater certainty than those made of copaiba and gelatin alone.

=CAR'AMEL.= A dark-brown substance obtained by heating sugar. It is formed during the roasting of all materials containing sugar, such as coffee and malt. It is much used for colouring soups, wines, spirits, and other liquids.

=Caramel, Crude.= _Syn._ SPIRIT COLOURING, BURNT SUGAR. _Prep._ From cane sugar, by heating it to from 410 to 428 Fahr., as long as aqueous vapour is formed; dissolving the product in water, and concentrating the solution by evaporation.

=Caramel, Pure.= _Prep._ 1. (Graham.) Crude caramel, obtained as above, is placed on a parchment-paper dialyser. The undecomposed sugar and certain intermediate compounds diffuse out with considerable facility, and what ultimately remains on the dialyser possesses five times the colouring power of the original crude caramel, weight for weight. See DIALYSIS.

2. (Peligot.) Add strong alcohol to a filtered aqueous solution of crude caramel until it ceases to produce a precipitate; collect the precipitate, which is caramel, on a filter, wash with alcohol, and dry. Graham recommends that the product should be dissolved and precipitated four or five times, or till the ma.s.s thrown down, from being plastic at first, becomes pulverulent.

3. (J. J. Pohl.) Cane sugar is heated in a s.p.a.cious metallic vessel by means of an oil bath to 410 or 419 Fahr. as long as aqueous vapours escape, the ma.s.s being occasionally stirred with a spatula. The ma.s.s is then finely powdered and digested with alcohol for two or three hours; the digestion is repeated until the fluid no longer tastes bitter.

_Prop._ A solution containing 10% of purified caramel is gummy, and forms a tremulous jelly on standing. Evaporated in vacuo, it dries up into a black s.h.i.+ning ma.s.s soluble in water; but if the solution be evaporated to dryness by the heat of a water bath, the whole matter is rendered insoluble in hot or cold water. A very small proportion of caramel suffices to give a rich sepia tint to water.

=CAR'AT.= A weight of 4 grains used in weighing diamonds, which are spoken of as of so many carats weight. Among a.s.sayers, a carat is a weight of 12 grains; but more commonly a proportional weight or term, representing the number of parts of pure gold in 24 parts of the alloy; pure gold being spoken of as of 24 carats fine. It is commonly the 24th part of the "a.s.say pound," and is nominally subdivided into 4 a.s.say grains, and these again into quarters. See a.s.sAYING.

=CAR'AWAY.= _Syn._ CARAWAY SEED; SE'MENA CARUI, L.; CARUI, B. P. The fruit of the _Carum Carui_ (Linn.), an umbelliferous plant, common in England and other parts of Europe. These fruits, commonly called "seeds," form an agreeable and useful aromatic and carminative, and are especially esteemed in the flatulent colic of children. They are also largely employed as an adjuvant or corrective in various officinal preparations; and as a flavoring ingredient in cakes, biscuits, cordials, confectionery, &c. See ESSENCES.

=CARBAZOT'IC ACID.= See PICRIC ACID.

=CARBOL'IC ACID.= H.C_{6}H_{5}O. _Syn._ PHENYLIC ACID, PHENIC ACID, PHENOL, PHENYLIC ALCOHOL, HYDRATE OF PHENYLE, HYDRATED OXIDE OF PHENYLE. A powerful antiseptic substance obtained from coal-tar oil.

_Prep._ Crude, heavy coal oil is agitated with milk of lime, allowed to stand, and the aqueous portion separated from the undissolved oil and decomposed by hydrochloric acid. The oily liquid obtained is purified by distillation.

1. Crude coal oil is distilled in a retort furnished with a thermometer, and the portion which pa.s.ses over when the heat ranges between 300 and 400 Fahr., is collected apart, and mixed with a hot saturated solution of caustic pota.s.sa; after standing for some time, a semi crystalline pasty ma.s.s forms, from which the supernatant liquid is decanted; the pasty ma.s.s is now agitated with a small quant.i.ty of water until dissolved; the solution thus formed separates into two portions, the denser of which contains carbolate of pota.s.sa; this being separated by decantation, is decomposed by hydrochloric acid. The solution of carbolic acid which rises to the surface is digested with chloride of calcium, to remove water, and purified by distillation; the distillate, by refrigeration, furnishes crystals of the acid, which must be drained, dried, and preserved from the air.

2. From salicylic acid. Mix intimately together equal weights of salicylic acid and powdered gla.s.s; introduce the mixture into a good German retort, and heat on a sand bath, gradually raising the heat till it becomes red hot at the bottom. The vapour is condensed in any convenient receiver. If the materials are perfectly dry, it solidifies to a ma.s.s of crystals as soon as it condenses, but if there be a trace of water present it remains liquid. The slower it distils over the lighter will be the colour, while if a high temperature be employed it comes over nearly black. It may be rendered colourless and anhydrous by rectification over quick-lime.

Of late years the manufacture of carbolic acid has increased to a great extent, and is generally found in a pale yellow clear solution, instead of as a dark hazy liquid. The pure anhydrous acid is in long, colourless, prismatic crystals, often, however, on keeping turning a beautiful pink, rose, or crimson, and which rapidly deliquesce in moist air, becoming converted into a colourless refractive liquid, having a faint odour of roses and tar. At 95 F. they become an oily liquid, having an odour and taste like creosote. Sp. gr. 1065, boiling point 370 F. Exposed to the air the crystals absorb moisture and liquefy. The acid is slightly soluble in water, but freely soluble in glycerin, alcohol, and ether. Carbolic acid is poisonous, and is a powerful antiseptic.

_Tests._--About a grain of hypochlorite of calcium, added to a little aqueous solution of carbolic acid, placed in a test-tube, produces after agitation, the addition of a few drops of ammonia, and the application of a gentle heat, a bright blue colour with a tinge of green. One drachm of the acid if pure completely dissolves on being shaken with half a pint of warm water.

_Uses._ The extraordinary antiseptic properties of carbolic acid have long been known, but its extended use has been delayed, owing to the difficulty experienced in obtaining it in considerable quant.i.ties. It is now, however, princ.i.p.ally owing to the labours of the late Dr F. Crace Calvert, produced on a large scale, and this chemist has proposed its application to many valuable purposes. As a medical agent it seems to have all the useful properties of creosote in an exalted degree, with some peculiar actions of its own, and is being applied with marked success in the Manchester Royal Infirmary and similar inst.i.tutions, in cases of chronic diarrha, obstinate vomiting (even after creosote has failed), and as a disinfecting wash for ill-conditioned ulcers and gangrenous sores. It has been said to have been used with marked success internally as a remedy for hooping-cough. It has also been applied successfully in cases of foot-rot, a disease which annually carries off large numbers of sheep. It has been employed for the preservation of gelatin solutions and preparations of size made with starch, flour, and similar materials, and of skins and other animal substances. It appears to act strongly as an antiferment, and Dr Calvert states that it is one of the most powerful preventives of putrefaction with which he is acquainted. Commercial creosote is frequently nothing more than hydrated carbolic acid.

Professor Lister, of Edinburgh, adopting the germ theory of putrefaction, and regarding the putrid discharge from wounds as the result of the presence of atmospheric organisms which find a suitable nidus in the decomposing animal tissue exposed by the wound, seeks to exclude the access of these germs by the use of antiseptics, particularly of carbolic acid, the destructive action of which on living organisms is well known.

He applies to the wounds dressings of gauze previously prepared with carbolic acid, additionally using as a lotion the acid, well diluted with water; whilst during the dressing of the wounds and the performance of surgical operations carbolic acid is diffused in the form of spray into the surrounding atmosphere with the object of destroying the germs floating in it.

_Antidotes._--Calcined magnesia, or bicarbonate of soda, in milk after short intervals. In the absence of these, chalk, soap and water, or the plaster from the ceiling. Olive oil additionally. More than fifty per cent. of the carbolic acid manufactured is used for the purpose of preparing the following pigments and dye materials:--

1. Picric acid. 2. Phenyl brown. 3. Grenat soluble. 4. Coralline. 5.