Cooley's Cyclopaedia of Practical Receipts Volume I Part 5

=Acarus Siro=, the _cheese-mite_ (fig. _c_). The dry and powdery parts of decayed cheese, which by careful watching may very frequently be seen in movement, consist almost wholly of this insect and their eggs in different stages of development. The cheese-mite can hardly be seen without the aid of the microscope. They are very tenacious of life, even when kept without food. Mr Blyth says that under these circ.u.mstances "it is no uncommon sight to see them killing and devouring each other; and that cheese is rapidly destroyed by them; they crumble it into minute pieces, and emit a liquid substance which causes the decayed parts to spread speedily." They may be destroyed by being exposed to a strong heat, or by putting the cheese for a short time in whisky.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. _d._]

=Acarus Scabiei=, the _itch-insect_ (fig. _d_). The parasitic character of the disease known as the itch was first demonstrated by Dr Bononio, who on turning out the contents of one of the little bladders that show themselves between the fingers of those affected with the complaint, and placing the fluid under the microscope, discovered a minute animal, very nimble in its movements, covered with short hairs, having a short head, a pair of strong mandibles or cutting-jaws, and eight legs, terminating in remarkable appendages, each provided with a sucker and setae.

It has no eyes; but when disturbed it quickly draws in its head and feet, and then somewhat resembles the tortoise in appearance, its march being precisely the same. It usually lays sixteen eggs, which are carefully deposited in furrows under the skin, and ranged in pairs; these are hatched in about ten days.

"To find the itch-insect," says Mr Jabez Hogg, "the operator must carefully examine the parts surrounding each pustule; he will then see a red line or spot communicating with it; this part, and not the pustule, must be probed with a fine-pointed instrument. The operator must not be disappointed by repeated failures."

=ACCIDENT'AL COLOURS.= See COLOURS (Complementary).

=ACCIDENTS.= _Black eye._ Bathe the eye frequently with a soft piece of linen rag dipped in a lotion composed of one part of tincture of arnica and seven parts of water.

_Burns and Scalds._ Refer to BURNS and SCALDS.

_Charcoal_, _combustion of_, _poisoning by._ Refer to CARBONIC ANHYDRIDE.

_Choking, or suffocation from substances sticking in the throat._ Refer to CHOKING.

_Cut Finger._ Refer to CUTS.

_Precautions against Fires._ Refer to FIRES.

_Precautions against Lightning._ To take refuge under a tree during a thunderstorm accompanied by lightning is to expose oneself to a double danger--firstly, because by keeping the clothes dry these are prevented becoming the non-conductors they would be if damp; and secondly, because the tree, serving as a point of attraction for the lightning, conducts it to the ground, and in doing so frequently rends the trunks or branches, and kills any person or animal who happens to be close to, or in contact with, it at the time.

Never, therefore, if overtaken by a storm of thunder and lightning fly to the dangerous cover of a tree, pillar, hay-rick, wall, or hedge, but seek shelter in the nearest dwelling; or if this is not at hand, get to a part of the road or field where there is no object to attract the lightning, and there remain till the storm has expended itself. Also avoid particularly the proximity of iron gates, palisades, bronze statues, bell wires, iron railings, and such like. When in the house, do not sit or stand near the windows, doors, or walls, but place yourself in the middle of the room, unless there should be a lamp or chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Franklin recommends persons to keep away from the neighbourhood of fireplaces.

_Treatment of persons struck by lightning._ In case of any person being struck by lightning, immediately strip the body and throw bucketsful of cold water over it for ten or fifteen minutes; continued frictions and inhalations of the lungs must also be employed, and electricity should be tried if it be possible.

=Accidents by Poison.= The means to be adopted in cases where poison is taken, if the poison be known, are embodied in the antidotes, which will be found given in this volume under the respective poisons.

Under all circ.u.mstances, however, medical aid should be sought as expeditiously as possible, since many of the antidotes themselves being of a dangerous, if not poisonous, character, should only be administered under medical supervision. Pending the arrival of the doctor, no time should be lost in giving an emetic, consisting of a teaspoonful of flour of mustard in half a pint of warm water, supplemented by copious draughts of warm water, and tickling the throat with the finger if necessary.

_Fish poisoning._ It is a not unfrequent occurrence to find fish when eaten giving rise to a species of poisoning of a more or less violent form, such as a sense of weight at the stomach, accompanied with nausea, vertigo, headache, heat about the head and eyes, pains in the stomach, thirst, and often an eruption of the skin resembling nettle-rash. These symptoms may be sometimes due to the nature of the fish itself; sometimes to its being in a state unfit to be taken as food, as, for instance, when it is in a stale or decomposing condition; and occasionally to the peculiarity of const.i.tution of those who partake of it, even if in a perfectly fresh condition. Whenever any of the symptoms above described follow from eating fish, an emetic of mustard and water (a teaspoonful of mustard in half a pint of water) should be administered. If subsequently a rash should appear, it would be well to take a dose of brisk purgative medicine, and, if necessary, a few doses of carbonate of soda 3 or 4 times during the day.

_Poisonous Mushrooms._ The same treatment should be followed as for fish.

With some people the edible mushroom acts as a poison.

_Sinks._ See that these be securely trapped, and in the event of any unpleasant smell from them, pour down some disinfectant, such as chloride of lime, carbolic acid, or Condy's fluid. The foul emanations from a sink ought to be regarded as of a most dangerous and pestilential nature.

=Accidents to Children.= Many, if not most, of the casualties to which children are exposed are given above, together with the best course to be pursued in the event of their being overtaken by any of them. There are, however, a few forms of disaster which seem more especially peculiar to children. Of these we may select--

_Swallowing a piece of broken gla.s.s._ In this case avoid giving purgatives, but give solid farinaceous food, so as to envelope the gla.s.s and enable it to pa.s.s through the bowels without causing injury by coming in contact with them.

_Swallowing a coin._ Give a dose or two of castor oil, and examine the stools until the coin is perceived.

_A small coin sticking in the windpipe._ Seize the child by the legs, letting his head hang downwards, then administer several brisk blows on the back with the palm of the hand, when very frequently the coin will be coughed out of the mouth and on to the floor. If this plan do not succeed, send immediately for medical aid.

=ACCLI'MATE=, or =ACCLI'MATISE=. In _botany_ and _zoology_, to inure a plant or animal to a climate to which it is not indigenous. When so inured it is said to be ACCLIMATED. In _medicine_, to habituate the body to a foreign climate, so that it may not be peculiarly liable to its endemic diseases; or to become so habituated. Thus, a person who has resided several years at New Orleans without an attack of yellow fever, or having had an attack has satisfactorily recovered, is said to be ACCLI'MATISED.

=ACCOM'PANIMENTS.= In _cookery_ and _housekeeping_, see Tr.i.m.m.i.n.gS.

=ACc.u.mULA'TION.= [Eng., Fr.] _Syn._ ACc.u.mULA'TIO, L. In _medicine_, a term applied when the effects of the first dose of any substance still continue when the second is administered (acc.u.mulation of action); or when several doses of insoluble substances remain inactive in the system until their energy is developed by chemical influence (acc.u.mulation of doses). See MEDICINES, POISONS, &c.

=ACEPH'ALANS.= _Syn._ ACEPH'ALA, CUV. In _malacology_, a cla.s.s of aquatic mollusca, having no apparent head, but a mouth between the folds of their mantle. Several of them, as the oyster, c.o.c.kle, mussel, scallop, &c., are consumed for food.

=ACERB'ITY.= _Syn._ ACERB'ITAS, L.; ACERBITe, Fr.; HERBIGKEIT, Ger. In _chemistry_, &c., sourness, with bitterness and astringency, or harshness.

See CIDER, FRUIT, WINE, &c.

=ACERBO'S ANTI-RHEUMATIC AND ANTI-CATARRH OIL.= For various horse diseases. Gum euphorbium, 10 parts; absolute alcohol, 10 parts; olive oil, 80 parts. Digest in a warm-water bath for 24 hours, then boil until all the spirit has evaporated, and, when cold, strain through cotton. (Hager.)

=ACER'IDES.= Plasters that do not contain wax.

=ACES'CENT.= _Syns._ ACES'CENS, L.; ACESCENT, AIGRELET, Fr.; SaURLICH, Ger. In _chemistry_, &c., growing sour; slightly tart or acid; having a tendency to sourness, or to run into the acetic fermentation, as _wine_, _beer_, _malt-wort_, &c. Hence, ACES'CENCE or ACES'CENCY (_acescen'tia_, L.; _acescense_, _aigreur_, Fr.; _saurlichkeit_, Ger.), the tendency to become slightly acid, or the quality of being so. See ACETIFICATION, MALT-LIQUORS, WINE, WORT, &c.

=ACETA"RIOUS= (-tare'-e-us). Used for salads (as plants); relating to salads (which see).

=AC'ETATE= (as'-). _Syn._ ACE'TAS, L.; ACETATE, Fr.; ESSIGSaURE SALZE, Ger. In _chemistry_, a salt consisting of C_{2}H_{3}O_{2} (sometimes called the acid-radical of the acetates) with hydrogen, a metal, or a compound basic radical; _e.g._,

Hydrogen acetate (acetic acid) HC_{2}H_{3}O_{2} Pota.s.sium acetate KC_{2}H_{3}O_{2} Lead (plumbic) acetate Pb(C_{2}H_{3}O_{2})_{2} Ammonium acetate NH_{4}C_{2}H_{3}O_{2} Salts of acetic acid (HC_{2}H_{3}O_{2}) with the alkaloids are likewise termed acetates; _e.g._, Morphia acetate C_{17}H_{19}NO_{3} . C_{2}H_{4}O_{2}

_Prep._ That of the commercial acetates, and of many others, is noticed under the respective metals. In general, they may all be formed by direct solution of the carbonate, hydrate or oxide of the metal whose acetate it is desired to form, in dilute acetic acid; or from a solution of an acetate and of another salt of the metal, by double decomposition. In either case, the resulting solution must be carefully evaporated by a gentle heat, and, where possible, crystallised.

_Prop., &c._ All the neutral acetates, except those of molybdenum and tungsten, are more or less soluble in water, several so much so as to be uncrystallizable; many dissolve in alcohol; they suffer decomposition at a dull red heat, and by distillation, at that temperature, yield acetone and water, or acetone and acetic acid, and leave a carbonaceous residuum; at a full red-heat, those of pota.s.sium, sodium, barium, strontium, calcium, and magnesium, are converted into carbonates, whilst the other metallic acetates leave behind the pure metal, or its oxide. The aqueous solutions of the alkaline acetates soon turn mouldy and suffer decomposition. No more of them should, therefore, be dissolved at once than is required for immediate use.

_Char., tests, &c._ The acetates are known--1. By evolving fumes of acetic acid, recognisable by its peculiar and characteristic odour, on the addition of strong sulphuric acid:--2. By evolving the vapour of acetic ether (known by its peculiar and agreeable odour) when heated with a mixture of about equal parts of concentrated sulphuric acid and alcohol.

=AC'ETATED= (as'-). In _chemistry_ and _pharmacy_, combined or impregnated with acetic acid or vinegar.

=ACE'TIC.= _Syn._ ACE'TICUS, L.; ACeTIQUE, Fr. Of or relating to vinegar; made with acetic acid, as perfumes, &c. (See _below_.)

=ACETIC ACID.= HC_{2}H_{3}O_{2}. _Syn._ PYROLIG'NEOUS ACID (_pure_); ACID OF VINEGAR; ACIDUM ACE'TIc.u.m, L.; ACIDE ACETIQUE, Fr.; ACIDO ACETICO, It.; ESSIGSaURE, Ger.; AZYNZUUR, Dut.; EISEL, Sax. When free from water it crystallises on cooling, and is distinguished as--ACETIC HYDRATE, HY'DRATED ACETIC ACID, MONOHY'DRATED A. A., GLA'CIAL A. A., MONOHYDRATED A. A., ACE'TUM GLACIA'LE, ACIDUM ACE'TIc.u.m G., L., &c. the sour principle of vinegar.

_Var._ Commercial acetic acid is found under the form of the pure acid of the chemist and pharmaceutist (glacial and dilute), and of vinegar, of which there are several varieties, which are noticed under their respective heads.

_Sources._ Fermented liquors; the vinegars of commerce; alcoholic liquors; wood, from which it is obtained, as pyroligneous acid, by distillation; the commercial acetates of soda, pota.s.sa, lime, lead, copper, &c. The pure acetic acid of the chemist and of commerce is almost wholly obtained from the acetates, either by the action of a strong acid, which seizes on the base, setting the acid free; or, by dry distillation, in which the high degree of heat employed separates the acetic acid from the base in the form of vapour. It is also obtained by the oxidation of alcohol.

_Prep._ The following are the princ.i.p.al processes at present adopted to obtain pure acetic acid:--

1. From the _Acetates_ in the moist way:--

_a._ From ACETATE OF SODA:--

1. Commercial acetate of soda (_i.e._, the 'pure acetate' of the pyroligneous acid works), in crystals, is put into the body of a stout copper still, and a deep cavity being made in the centre of the ma.s.s, about 35% of sulphuric acid of a sp. gr. of not less than 184 is poured in; the walls of the cavity are then thrown in upon the acid, and the whole briskly agitated, for a very short time, with a large wooden spatula; the head of the still is next luted on, and the distillation conducted at a gentle heat, the receiver being changed as soon as the distillate begins to acquire a slight empyreumatic odour. The product, when the process is well managed, is an almost colourless acid of the sp.

gr. of fully 105, containing about 40% of glacial acid, or between 34% and 35% of anhydrous acid. Any trace of colour or empyreuma is removed by agitation with some well-washed and recently ignited vegetable charcoal, or with a very small quant.i.ty of recently ignited purified animal charcoal, and subsequently pa.s.sing it through a prepared calico bag-filter; or by allowing it to stand, for about a fortnight, in barrels containing some beech-wood chips; after which it is ready for sale, either as the ordinary acetic acid or pure pyroligneous acid of commerce, or (on dilution, &c.) as vinegar.

2. The acid of sp. gr. 105 (obtained as above) is distilled with fused chloride of calcium, the distillate being run into a refrigerator; the crystals that form are drained at a temperature below 40 or 45 Fahr., and after removal to a warmer temperature, where they liquefy, and agitation with a little peroxide of lead, are submitted to a second distillation, as before; and this is repeated until the whole of the acid crystallises at 51 Fahr. The product is the glacial acetic acid of commerce.