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Oil of Jargonelle Pear

This is made from the heavy fusel oil which comes over last in distillation. To purify the fusel oil, wash it with soda and water, and distill between 254° and 284° Fahr. Of this take 1 pound; glacial acetic acid, 1 pound; sulphuric some that they yield a larger product when acid, 1/22 pound. Digest for some hours at 254°. moderately dried. Dried substances require, The ether separates upon the addition of waether separates upon the addition of waprevious to distillation, to be thoroughly ter, and is purified by washing with soda and macerated with water; and to facilitate this water. Mixed with 30 part acetic ether, and this water. Mixed with 3 part acetic ether, and end, should be prepared by slicing, rasping, 7 parts of deodorized alcohol, it gives the esdeodorized alcohol, it gives the esbruising, or other appropriate means. Some- sence of pears. times the proportion of oil in the substance

1471. Oil of Quince - Pelargonic employed is so small that it is wholly dis- Ether-is made from oil of rue by treating solved in the water distilled, even though the it with double its volume of dilute nitric acid, smallest necessary quantity of water has heating the mixture until it begins to boil. been employed in the alembic. In this case the distilled solution must be redistilled several times with fresh quantities of the substance, until more oil passes over than the After some time two layers are seen. lower one is separated with a pipette, and freed from nitric acid by evaporation in a chloride of zinc bath; it is then filtered, mixed with deodorized alcohol, and digested paper, and exposing it for a short time to at a gentle heat until the fruity odor is noticed. heat. If the oil under examination be pure, This ether seems identical with the ethereal it will entirely evaporate; but if it be adulif it be aduloil of wine, which gives the bouquet. It is terated with one of these substances, a greasy sometimes sold as oil of cognac.

1472. To Restore the Fragrance of Oil of Lemon. There are several oils that, by absorption of oxygen from the air, will become camphorated, grow turbid, deposit a residue, generally called stearopten, and lose more or less of their flavor, instead of which they acquire the odor of turpentine. Those or translucent spot will be left on the paper These substances also remain undissolved when the oil is agitated with three or four times its volume of strong rectified spirit. 1476. Το Detect the Presence of Alcohol in Essential Oils. The presence of alcohol or rectified spirit may be detected by agitation with the oil a few small fragments oils that are free from oxygen are chiefly sub- of dried chloride of calcium. These will reject to these changes, and it is therefore main unaltered if the oil be pure, but will necessary to keep them in full bottles, well dissolve in one containing alcohol, and the restoppered, and in a cool place. When they have sulting solution will form a distinct stratum deteriorated in the way indicated, they may be at the bottom of the vessel. The milkiness improved, but can never be restored to their original quality. Many means have been proposed for this purpose, but the one now generally employed in France is to shake the oil with warm water several times, letting it and loss of volume, when such an oil is agitated with a little water, is another test of the presence of spirit. A more delicate test of the presence of alcohol in an essential oil than the preceding, is effected by potassium. settle, and drawing it off by means of a Place 12 drops of the oil on a perfectly dry syphon; it may lastly be filtered either through watch-glass, and put a piece of potassium , paper or linen. the size of an ordinary pin's head, in the midin the mid-

1473. To Keep Oil of Lemon Fra- dle of it. If the potassium remains unchanged grant. To every pound of oil, 1 ounce alco- for 12 or 15 minutes, no alcohol is present hol is to be added and well mixed; then 1 bnt if it disappears after 5 minutes, the oil ounce water is put with it, which again with- contains at least 4 per cent. of alcohol; if it draws the alcohol from the oil, and collects disappears in less than 1 minute, it proves the at the bottom of the bottle as dilute alcohol, presence of not less than 25 per cent. of alcowhere it should be permitted to remain until hol. This species of adulteration is very comthe oil has been used, with, perhaps, an occa- mon. It is a very general practice of the sional shake-up when the bottle has been druggists to add strong rectified spirit to opened. Oil of lemon treated in this manner their essential oils, to render them transparent , has been kept fresh and fragrant for over a especially in cold weather. Oil of cassia and year. Oil of orange may be treated in the same manner with excellent effect. oil of cinnamon are nearly always so treated by them.

1474. To Purify Essential Oils that 1477. Το Detect the Admixture of have Deteriorated from Age. The method one Essential Oil with Another. The most commonly pursued is by redistillation, admixture of an inferior essential oil with anmixing them first with water, and sometimes other more costly, is readily detected by a with alkali. There are, however, other pro-connoisseur or expert, by placing a drop or cesses that have been recommended, which two on a piece of clean blotting-paper, shakare believed to be equally as efficacious, and ing it in the air, and smelling it occasionally . at the same time more simple. M. Curieux proposes to submit them to the action of a solution of borax with animal black. The solution of borax is mixed with the animal charcoal to form a thin consistency; the oil is then added and agitated for a quarter of an hour. At the end of that time the borax mixture is found adhering to the sides of the bottle, while the oil flows limpid. The oil of lavender, neroli, and peppermint, M. Curieux The difference of the odor at the beginning and towards the end of the evaporation will show the adulteration, especially if the adulterant be oil of turpentine. This last may also be detected by remaining undissolved when the oil is agitated with about thrice its volume of strong rectified spirit. Highly rectified oil of turpentine is very largely used to adulterate the stronger scented essential oils. Foreign oil of lavender and oil of peppermint, for had restored or purified in this manner. Mr. example, are usually compounds of 1 ounce Charles Bullock, of Philadelphia, has found of the genuine oil with 9 ounces of oil of that permanganate of potash is admirably turpentine. Even American and English oil adapted to the purpose of the restoration of of peppermint are adulterated with 1/6 part recresinified essential oils. A large can of oil of tified spirit, besides a considerable quantity of lemon having become unsaleable, he agitated oil of spearmint, and often turpentine. a solution of the potash with the oil for a 1478. Το Detect the Adulteration length of time, then decanted, mixed with of a Heavy Oil with a Light One. The fresh water, and warmed gently, till the oil floated perfectly clear on the surface. The solution of the permanganate was in the proportion of 1 ounce of the salt to 8 ounces of water. This quantity was enough for 4 pounds of the oil. adulteration of a heavy oil with a light one may be detected by agitating the suspected sample with water, when, in general, the two will separate and form distinct layers. 1479. To Test the Purity of Essential Oil of Almonds. Essential oil of

1475. To Detect the Presence of almonds is very generally adulterated with Fatty Oil and Resins in Essential Oils. cheaper oils, particularly nitrobenzole (arti- The presence of fatty oil, resin, or spermaceti, ficial oil of bitter almonds), and in nearly may be readily detected by placing a single every case with alcohol or rectified spirit. drop of the suspected oil on a piece of white The pure oil, when mixed with oil of vitriol, turns of a clear crimson-red color, without stain on paper, it contains spermaceti. A single visible decomposition:-mixed with alcoholic drop of pure otto of roses exposed for some solution of potassa, crystals are eliminated:- hours under a bell-glass, in the cold, to the vaiodine dissolves only partially and slowly in por of a few grains of iodine, remains white, it, without further visible results: -chromate and continues so on subsequent exposure to of potassa does not affect it:-nitric acid of the air. A sample adulterated with foreign the specific gravity 1.42 causes no immediate oil, on the contrary, becomes yellow or yellowreaction, but crystals of benzoic acid begin to ish-brown, and continues subsequently to darkform in 3 or 4 days; if only 7 or 8 per cent. of alcohol be present, violent effervescence speedily commences, and colored nitrous fumes are evolved. Nitric acid of specific gravity 1.5 produces the same effects in a marked degree, even when the smallest quantity only of alcohol is present. The specific gravity of the pure oil, when recent, is never less than 1.052; and when old, never greater than 1.081; that of trade averages about 1.075. Nitrobenzole has the specific specific gravity 1.209, and its boiling point is 415°

Fahr., or fully 100° higher than that of essential oil of almonds.

1480. To Test the Purity of Oil of ✓Bergamot. Oil of bergamot is very frequently adulterated with rectified spirit, or with the oil of lemon, orange peel, and turpentine. These may be detected in the way previously noticed. (See No. 1476, &c.) The en, until it becomes of a deep brown color, or even perfectly black, according to the extent of the adulteration. A single drop of pure otto placed on a watch glass with one drop of concentrated sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol), and stirred with a glass rod, retains the purity of its color and odor; but a sample adulterated with other oil becomes more or less brown, and evolves peculiar odors-that from oil of geranium being strong and disagreeable; that from oil of rhodium being increased and rendered unctuous and cubeb-like; that from camphor, characteristic and combined with acidity; that from spermaceti, unctuous and clearly perceptible." Dr. R. Baur, of Constantinople, has had the opportunity of preparing a standard otto of rose on the spot, and was also in a position such as scarcely any other chemist ever was for investigating the whole subject. He says that pure otto gives, with presence of the foreign oils, particularly the iodine and with iodide of potassium and last, lessens its solubility in rectified spirit. starch, the same reactions as when it is mixed The pure oil is freely soluble in liquor of with geranium oil, and even those with pure potassa, forming a clear solution. Its specific geranium oil are hardly different. He further gravity is .875 to .885. says that many attempts have been made to 1481. To Test the Purity of Oil of discover some chemical reaction which would Cinnamon. The common adulterants are highly rectified spirit and oil of cassia. When pure, its specific gravity is 1.035. Oil of cassia, of which the specific gravity is 1.071 to 1.073, and when old, even 1.078 to 1.090, increases it; but before trying it, it must be tested for spirit, which has a contrary effect. 1482. To Test the Purity of Oil of Lavender. Alcohol is here also the common adulterant. The finest quality-that from the flowers, has specific gravity .877 to .905. The lightest is esteemed the best. Santaline is insoluble, or very nearly so, in the pure oil, but is freely soluble in that adulterated with alcohol. The presence of oil of turpentine, and other inferior oils, may be detected by the blotting-paper test, noticed above. (See No. 1475. 1483. To Test the Purity of Oil of Neroli. This is the oil of orange flowers, and is commonly adulterated with alcohol, or with the oil of orange leaf (essence de petitgrain), and generally with both. The presence of the first is easily determined (see No. 1476); that of the second only by comparing the odor of a drop of the suspected oil, placed on a piece of paper, with a drop of pure neroli similarly treated. reveal the falsification of otto with geranium oil, but hitherto mostly in vain. 1485. To Test the Purity of Oil of Cloves. Oil of cloves is frequently adulterated with inferior essential oils, but when pure it exhibits the following results: When shaken with pure liquor of ammonia, it coagulates, and crystallizes after fusion by a gentle heat: Treated with an alcoholic solution of potassa, it congeals into a crystalline mass, with total loss of its odor: A solution of chromate of potassa converts it into brown flakes, whilst the salt loses its yellow color. 1486. To Test the Purity of Oil of Rue. This oil is nearly always adulterated.

When pure, it forms a clear solution with rectified spirit; Iodine dissolves in it slowly, without apparent reaction beyond a darkening and a slight increase in viscidity: It is unaffected by a solution of chromate of potassa; Nitric acid very slowly changes it into a greenish yellow liquid balsam.

Fixed Oils and Fats. These are compounds of carbon, hydrogen,

1484. To Test the Purity of Otto of and oxygen (hydrocarbons), obtained from Roses. Cooley says: "The common adult- the organic kingdom, and chiefly distinguished crants are the oils of rhodium, sandal wood, by their insipidity, unctuosity, insolubility in and geranium, with camphor, and occasionally water, and being lighter than that fluid. with spermaceti, to give the spurious article Olive oil, obtained from the vegetable, and the usual crystalline appearance. Pure spermaceti oil, from the animal kingdom, may otto has a bland, sweet taste; if it be bitter, be taken as types of the rest. The fixed oils it contains oil of rhodium or sandal wood; if are chiefly found in the fruit and seeds of it be pungent or bite the palate, it contains plants, and in thin membranous cells in either oil of geranium or camphor, and most various parts of the bodies of animals. Some probably both; if it imparts an unctuous of these oils are solid at ordinary temperatures; sensation to the palate, or if it leaves a greasy as palm oil, cocoanut oil, &c.; but the majori. ty are fluid, except when considerably cooled, of the simplest methods is to dissolve about when they separate into two portions: the 2 per cent. of gum-benzoin (in fine powder), one solid, consisting mostly of stearine, and or about one per cert. benzoic acid, in the the other liquid, consisting chiefly of oleine. oil or fat, by the aid of a gentle heat. This Nearly all the fixed oils, when freely exposed addition renders oils, pomades, ointments, &c., to the air, absorb oxygen, and either gradually peculiarly soothing to an irritable or highly harden, or become rancid. The former are sensitive skin. termed drying oils, and are used by painters; addition of the scents. When the prepara- It should be done before the the latter are used in cookery, for machinery, tions are intended for exportation to hot clilamps, &c. The fixed oils, except where mates, the percentage of the gum or acid otherwise directed, are obtained from the should be somewhat increased. This is the bruised or ground fruit or seed, by means of plan generally adopted by the manufacturing powerful pressure, in screw or hydraulic perfumers and druggists. In the wholesale presses, and are either allowed to clarify themselves by subsidence, or are filtered. Another method is by boiling the bruised seed in water, and skimming off the oil as it rises to the surface. This is the plan adopted for castor oil in the West Indies. The specific gravities of the fixed oils range between 0.865 and 0.970. (Cooley.) trade, carefully rendered lard, suet, &c.; simple pomades and oils, so prepared, are now common articles of stock and sale. 1492. An Excellent Preventive of Rancidity in Oils, &c. Nitric ether, or its alcoholic solution (sweet spirits of nitre), is highly recommended as a most effective preventive of rancidity. It is said that a few

1488. Davidson's Process of Deodor- drops of the ether will effect this object, and izing Putrid Whale Oil. This cheap will even remove the disagreeable odor of method of purification consists in the employrancidity when present. Oil so treated, after ment of chloride of lime, the quantity dependbeing heated to remove the alcohol, when the ing on the degree of putrefaction of the whale solution has been used, is quite bright, clear, oil. In general 1 pound is sufficient for 112 and scentless, if it were originally so. pounds oil; but if it is in a state of great putrefaction, there may be 1 or 2 pounds required. With 1 pound chloride of lime about 12 times the quantity of water must be employed. The chloride is bruised in a mortar, and the water added by degrees till it forms a soft and liquid paste, and afterwards by the addition of the remainder of the water it takes lar-buds, crushed and digested at a gentle Popheat, in oil or fat, will also remove, or greatly retard, its tendency to become rancid. Fatty bodies in a globular state may be kept a long time without becoming rancid. This peculiar state can be imparted to fatty matters by melting them at 130° Fahr. and adding a small quantity of yolk of egg, or bile, or althe consistency of cream. This is to be mixed buminous substances, or best, a solution of with the oil and often carefully stirred.

After alkali (composed of 5 to 10 parts for every some hours 1 pound sulphuric acid, diluted 100 of oil), at the same temperature. The with 20 or 30 times its bulk of water, is poured whole is then agitated for some time to bring on the mixture, and the whole brought to a the fatty matter into a globular condition. boil over a moderate fire, and stirred con- 1493.

Το Prevent Fats and Oils from tinually until drops of oil run off at the end Becoming Rancid. Heat the oil or melted of the stirring pole. It is then left for some hours for the oil to precipitate, and the acidulated water is drawn off. A common cast-iron boiler, with sheets of lead at the bottom, is the best for the purpose, or a copper or iron vessel may be used when the quantity of acid is not too great. The chloride of lime must not be bruised in a copper or iron mortar. 1489. Το Restore Rancid Oil and Fat. Rancid oil and fat may be recovered by agitating them, at a gentle heat, with freshburnt and coarsely-powdered charcoal (which has been thoroughly freed from dust by sifting and fanning), followed by filtration through flannel; or by simple filtration through charcoal in bags of Canton flannel, according to the common method.