Cooley's Cyclopaedia of Practical Receipts Volume Ii Part 303

"_The Midleton Distillery._ The company have handsome and extensive offices on Morrison's Island, in the centre of the city, and close to the water's edge. Here the directors sit day after day, and the scores of clerks attend to the interests of 4000 customers. But I cannot linger here, for I have another distillery to visit. Another, the brightest of all, far out in the beautiful country, at the town of Midleton, situate at the north-east extremity of Cork's magical harbour. Approaching the distillery from the town, it has somewhat the appearance of a fortress. A ma.s.sive stone gateway bars the entrance, and heavy walls encompa.s.s it. But when once admittance is gained the sternness of the approach vanishes.

Great buildings loom aloft, but they have all a bright look; trees are on every side, and handsome garden plots, and clinging ivy, relieve the monotony of the high square structures. Here, I believe, is the largest still in the world--certainly the largest in Ireland. No work was in progress at the time of my visit, save the work of repairs and the storage of coal. Here, as at North Mall, water gives considerable aid in driving the machinery, a ca.n.a.l having been raised after considerable engineering difficulties and much expense. The vast works of Midleton Distillery cover over eight acres. It was a hot July day when I paid my visit, not at all the day to attempt remarkable pedestrian feats. Will it be forgiven me, therefore, if I forsook Irish whisky for Irish hospitality? Under the very shadow of the tall manufactory, yet altogether hidden from it, there is a luring lawn, a cool shrubbery, and an elegant villa radiant with flowers.

Is it not more pleasant to lounge through conservatories than to climb staircases, to drink iced claret cup than to sip raw spirit, or to examine the points of a horse than to note the intricacies of machinery? Beyond the garden and the tennis court and the conservatory is a grotto, so cunningly placed that none but the initiated can find it; the air there is deliciously cool, a luxuriant growth of honeysuckle and dog rose and fern surrounds you, and at your feet is a spring of as pure water as ever mortal tasted. With pleasant society, and chat and gossip to while away the time, will it be deemed strange that I stayed there until it was impossible to see more of the distillery, and that it would only be possible to catch my last train by a hard and almost break-neck gallop?"

See GIN, SPIRITS, and USQUEBAUGH.

=WHITE AR'SENIC.= a.r.s.eNIOUS ACID.

=WHITE-BAIT.= The _Clupea Latulus_ (_Clupea alba_, Yarrell), a very small and delicate fish, common in the brackish waters of the Thames from April to September. When fried in oil it is esteemed a great luxury by epicures.

=WHITE COPPER.= See GERMAN SILVER and PACKFONG.

=WHITE HEL'LEBORE.= _Syn._ VERATRUM (Ph. L. & E.); VERATRI ALBI RADIX, L.

"The rhizome of _Veratrum alb.u.m_, Linn., or white h.e.l.lebore." (Ph. L.) A powerful acrid cathartic, emetic, and sternutatory. It is now seldom exhibited internally, and its external use over a large or ulcerated surface is not unaccompanied with danger.--_Dose_, 1/2 to 2 gr. of the powder, made into a pill; in gout, mania, &c.; or 1 to 3 gr., carefully triturated with 12 or 15 gr. of liquorice powder, as an errhine, in amaurosis, &c.

=WHITE LEAD.= _Syn._ FINE WHITE, FLAKE W., CARBONATE OF LEAD, CERUSE, MAGISTERY OF LEAD; CERUSSA, PLUMBI CARBONAS (B. P., Ph. E. & D.), L. Made by suspending rolls of thin sheet lead over malt liquor, or pyroligneous acid, in close vessels, the evaporation from the acid being kept up by the vessels being placed in a heap of dung, or a steam bath.

_Obs._ Commercial carbonate of lead, however prepared, is not the pure carbonate of lead, but always contains a certain proportion of hydrate. It is generally largely adulterated with native sulphate of baryta ('heavy spar'), and sometimes with chalk. The former may be detected by its insolubility in dilute nitric acid, and the latter by the nitric solution yielding a white precipitate with dilute sulphuric acid, or a solution of oxalic acid or oxalate of ammonia, after having been treated with sulphuretted hydrogen, or a hydrosulphuret, to throw down the lead. "Pure carbonate of lead does not lose weight at a temperature of 212 Fahr.; 68 gr. are entirely dissolved in 150 minims of acetic acid diluted with 1 fl.

oz. of distilled water; and the solution is not entirely precipitated by a solution of 60 gr. of phosphate of soda." (Ph. E.) The solution in nitric acid should not yield a precipitate when treated with a solution of sulphate of soda.--Used as a superior white paint, and, in medicine, as an external astringent, refrigerant, and desiccant. The particles of carbonate of lead prepared by precipitation, or by any of the quick processes, are in a somewhat crystalline and semi-translucent condition, and hence do not cover so well as that just noticed. The following are some of the varieties of 'white lead' found in commerce:

1. (DUTCH WHITE LEAD.)--_a._ (Finest.) From flake white, 1 cwt.; c.a.w.k, 3 cwt.--_b._ (Ordinary.) Flake white, 1 cwt.; c.a.w.k, 7 cwt. These form the best white lead of the shops.

2. (ENGLISH WHITE LEAD.) Flake white lowered with chalk. Covers badly, and the colour is inferior to the preceding.

3. (FRENCH WHITE LEAD; BLANC DE PLOMB, Fr.) From litharge dissolved in vinegar, and the lead thrown down by a current of carbonic acid gas from c.o.ke. Does not cover so well as flake white.

4. (GRACE'S WHITE LEAD.) Made from sheet lead, with the refuse water of the starch-maker's, soured brewer's grain, &c.

5. (HAMBURG WHITE, HAMBURG WHITE LEAD.) From flake white, 1 cwt.; c.a.w.k, 2 cwt. Also sold for best Dutch white lead.

6. (VENETIAN WHITE, VENETIAN WHITE LEAD; CERUSA VENETA, L.) From flake white, or pure white lead and c.a.w.k, equal parts. (_See below._)

=White Precip'itate of Lead.= _Syn._ MINIATURE PAINTER'S WHITE, SULPHATE OF LEAD. From an acetic or nitric solution of litharge, precipitated by adding dilute sulphuric acid, and the white powder washed and dried. The clear liquid decanted from the precipitate is poured on fresh litharge, when a second solution takes place; and this may be repeated for any number of times. Used in miniature painting, being a beautiful and durable white.

=Whi"ting.= The same as prepared chalk, but prepared more carelessly, in horse-mills.

=White, Wilkinson's.= From litharge ground with sea water until it ceases to whiten, and then washed and dried.

=White, Zinc (Hubbuck's).= A hydrated oxide of zinc. It possesses the advantage of being innocuous in use, and not being blackened by sulphuretted hydrogen, like white lead.

=WHITE PIG'MENTS.= _Syn._ PIGMENTA ALBA, L. The following list embraces the more important white pigments of commerce:

=White, Alum.= _Syn._ BAUMe'S WHITE. Take of powdered Roman alum, 2 lbs.; honey, 1 lb.; mix, dry, powder, calcine in a shallow dish to whiteness, cool, wash, and dry. A beautiful and permanent white, both in oil and water.

=White, Derbys.h.i.+re.= From c.a.w.k or heavy spar, by grinding and elutriation.

=White, Flake.= The finer kinds of white lead are so called.

=White, Min'eral.= Precipitated carbonate of lead.

=White, Newcastle.= White lead made with mola.s.ses vinegar.

=White, Nottingham.= White lead made with alegar. Permanent white is now commonly sold for it.

=White, Pearl.= _Syn._ FARD'S SPANISH WHITE. Trisnitrate of bis.m.u.th.

=White, Per'manent.= Artificial sulphate of baryta, prepared by precipitating chloride of barium with dilute sulphuric acid, or a solution of glauber salts. A good fast white, unchanged by sulphurous fumes. Used to mark jars and bottles for containing acids or alkalies, as it is affected by very few substances; also to adulterate white lead.

=White, Spanish.= _Syn._ BLANC D'ESPAGNE, BLANC DE TROYES, Fr. The softest and purest white chalk, elutriated, made into b.a.l.l.s, and well dried. Used as a cheap white paint.

=WHITE SWEL'LING.= _Syn._ HYDRARTHRUS, L. A variety of indolent, malignant, scrofulous tumours, attacking the knee, ankle, wrist, and elbow, especially the first.

=WHITES (Sharp).= _Prep._ 1. From wheaten flour and powdered alum, equal parts, ground together.

2. (STUFF; BAKER'S STUFF.) From alum, ground to the coa.r.s.eness of common salt, 1 lb.; common salt, 3 lbs.; mix together. Both the above are used by bakers for the purpose of clandestinely introducing alum into their bread.

=WHITE'WASH.= Whiting is made into a milk with water, and a small quant.i.ty of melted size or dissolved glue added. It is applied to walls or ceilings with a broad, flat brush, worked in a uniform direction. Should the surface have been previously whitewashed, it is requisite first to remove the dirt by was.h.i.+ng it with a brush and abundance of clean water.

"LIME-WAs.h.i.+NG is, from the cleansing action of the quicklime, much the more effectual mode of purification, but is less frequently had recourse to, from the general ignorance respecting the proper mode of preparing the lime-wash. If glue is employed, it is destroyed by the corrosive action of the lime, and, in consequence, the latter easily rubs off the walls when dry. This is the case also if the lime be employed, as is often absurdly recommended, simply slaked in water, and used without any fixing material.

Lime-wash is prepared by placing some freshly-burned quicklime in a pail, and pouring on sufficient water to cover it; 'boiled oil' (linseed) should then be immediately added, in the proportion of a pint to a gallon of the wash. For coa.r.s.er work, any common refuse fat may be used instead of the boiled oil. The whole should then be thinned with water to the required consistency, and applied with a brush. Care should be taken not to leave the brush in the lime-wash for any length of time, as it destroys the bristles." (W. B. Tegetmeier.)

=WHI"TING.= See WHITE PIGMENTS.

=WHITING.= The _Gadus merlangus_ (Linn.), a member of the cod family of fishes. It is a very light and nutritious fish, and well adapted to dyspeptics and invalids; but it has too little flavour to be a favourite with gourmands.

=WHIT'LOW.= _Syn._ WHITLOE; PARONYCHIA, L. A painful inflammation, tending to suppuration and abscess, at the ends of the fingers, and mostly under or about the nails. Emollient poultices are useful in this affection; extreme tension and pain may be relieved by an incision, so as to allow the exit of the pus or matter from under the nail. The treatment must also be directed to establish the general health, as without this local remedies often fail.

=WHOOP'ING-COUGH.= _Syn._ CHIN-COUGH, HOOPING-C., KIN-C.; PERTUSSIS, L. A convulsive strangling cough, characterised by peculiar sonorous or whooping inspirations, from which its popular name is taken. It comes on in fits, which are usually terminated by vomiting. It is infectious, chiefly attacks children, and, like the small-pox, only occurs once during life.

The treatment of whooping-cough consists, chiefly, in obviating irritation, and in exciting nausea and occasional vomiting. For the first, aperients and sedatives (hemlock or henbane), in small doses, may be given; for the second intention, an extremely weak sweetened solution of tartarised antimony, or a mixture containing squills or ipecacuanha, may be administered in small doses every hour or two, according to the effect produced. In full habits, blisters and leeches may be resorted to; and in all cases opiate and stimulating embrocations may be applied to the chest and spine with advantage. Whenever the head is affected, the use of narcotics is contra-indicated. The hot bath is often serviceable. "A mixture of cochineal and carbonate of pota.s.sa is by some regarded as almost a specific for this disease; but our own observations lead us to look with more favour on anatomical nauseants and emetics." (Cooley.) Other medicinal agents employed in pertussis are alum, bromide of ammonium, sulphate of zinc, belladonna, tincture of myrrh, carbolic acid, and lobelia. See ANTIMONIALS, DRAUGHTS, MIXTURE, OXYMEL, SYRUP, WINES, &c.

=WHOR'TLEBERRY.= (Bear's). _Syn._ UVae URSI FOLIA (B. P.), UVA URSI (Ph.

L., E., & D.), L. The leaf of _Arctostophylos Uva Ursi_, trailing arbutus, or Bearberry, Astringent.--_Dose_, 10 to 30 gr. of the powder, thrice daily. See DECOCTION and EXTRACT.

=WIK'ANA.= _Syn._ WACAKA DES INDS, Fr. _Prep._ (Guibourt.) Roasted chocolate nuts (ground), 2 oz.; powdered cinnamon, 2 dr.; powdered vanilla, 1/2 dr.; ambergris, 3 gr.; musk, 1-1/2 gr.; sugar, 6 oz.; well mixed together. A teaspoonful is boiled with 1/2 pint of milk, or arrow-root, as a stimulating diet for convalescents.

=WILD CHERRY.= The _Prunus Virginiana_, a beautiful tree, growing wild in the western states of America. The inner bark (wild-cherry bark) is officinal in the Ph. U. S., and is a valuable sedative tonic. It is specially adapted for the alleviation of the distressing cough which is so hara.s.sing to patients with pulmonary disease. See INFUSION.

=WILD'FIRE RASH.= _Strophulus volaticus._

=WILLOW.= _Syn._ SALIX, L. The barks of _Salix alba_ or white willow, _Salis fragilis_ or crack willow, and _Salix Caprea_ or great round-leaved willow (WILLOW BARKS; SALICIS CORTICIS--Ph. E.), were officinal in the Ph.

D. 1826; and, with that of _Salix Russelliana_, and other species, are rich in salicin, and hence possess considerable febrifuge power.--_Dose_, 1/2 to 1 dr., either in powder or made into a decoction; as a subst.i.tute for Peruvian bark, in agues, hectics, debility, dyspepsia, &c.

=WIN'DOWS.= A prismatic or crystalline appearance may be imparted to windows by several expedients:

1. Mix a hot solution of sulphate of magnesia (Epsom salt) with a clear solution of gum Arabic, and lay it on hot. For a margin, or for figures, wipe off the part you wish to remain clear with a wet towel as soon as the surface has become cold and hard. The effect is very pretty, and may be varied by subst.i.tuting oxalic acid, red or yellow prussiate of potash, or any other salt (not efflorescent), for the sulphate of magnesia. Sulphate of copper gives a very beautiful crystallisation of a blue colour.

2. Evenly cover the surface of the gla.s.s with a layer of thin gum water, and sprinkle any of the saline crystals before noticed over it whilst wet.

The gum water may be tinged of any colour to vary the effect.

A blinded appearance, more or less resembling ground gla.s.s, may be given as follows: