Soap
strictly speaking, a salt consisting of a fatty acid in combination with a metallic base. In common parlance, however, the term is applied to the soluble salts formed by the union of the fatty acids with the alkalies. If oil and water be shaken together mechanical union will take place; but on allowing the mixture to rest, the oil will gradually separate and float on the surface of the water. If a small quantity of caustic soda or potash be added to the mixture, and it be then agitated, union will take place between the three bodies ies, a milky place between the three bodies, a milky fluid being formed. If a sufficient quansolution be boiled, it gradually becomes clear, giving rise to a soapy fluid, which solution be boiled, it gradually becomes clear, giving rise to a soapy fluid, which all the properties of a solution of soap.
If to a portion of this clear liquid froths strongly on agitation, presenting all the properties of a solution of soap. strong solution of common salt is added, If to a portion of this clear liquid a liquid separates into a clear fluid, cona peculiar curdling is produced. The liquid separates into a clear fluid, conrises to the surface. This substance is the fatty acid of the oil, in combination with the alkali used and a certain proportion of water, and if pressed and dried, exhibits the properties of ordinary soap. Ordinary soaps are of two kinds, soft and hard. Soft soap is a combination of some fatty or oily substance with potash, and contains an excess of alkali; hence some fatty or oily substance with potash, very highly detergent powers are required. The hard soaps are combinations of the fatty acids with soda; the principal varieties being yellow soap, made from quired. The hard soaps are combinations certain proportion of resin to give it varieties being yellow soap, made from tallow, only a small portion certain proportion of resin to give it it softness; mottled soap, which is prepared from tallow, palm oil, and kitchen stuff, and contains a portion po of insoluble of olive oil or lard being added, to give it softness; mottled soap, which is pre- Marseilles and Castile soaps are made of olive oil and soda, a small quantity of SOCIAL HYGIENE contain but little moisture, since, if too large a proportion of water were present, dition. The object of marbling soap with an insoluble matter is to show that they dition. The object of marbling soap with contain but little moisture, since, if too large a proportion of water were present, The United States stands at the head bottom and remain there, instead of being diffused through the mass. The United States stands at the head of all other countries in the use if not in the manufacture of soap. New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania lead, in the order named, all other soap (including about 170,000,000 pounds states. Over 2 billion pounds of hard of toilet-soap) are annually produced and 57,000,000 pounds of soft soap. ted silicate of magnesia. It is a massive variety of talc, which, when pure and compact, is much used as a refractory material for lining furnaces. It is easily he lathe, or cut with knives compact, is much used as a refractory material for lining furnaces. It is easily turned in the and saws, and is made into culinary vessels. When reduced to powder it is used diminish friction. Soapstone slabs are extensively used diminish friction.
Soapstone slabs are extensively used for manufacturing into laundry, bath and acid tubs, and in chemical laboratories, as also in the manufacture of different varieties of stoves, mantels, linings, burners, and wherever acids are used or there is a necessity to retain heat, or where a fireproof article is necessary.
See TALC.