Part 61

BATH METAL: See Alloys.

BATH POWDER: See Cosmetics.

«BATH TABLETS, EFFERVESCENT.»

Tartaric acid 10 parts Sodium bicarbonate 9 parts Rice flour 6 parts

A few spoonfuls of this, when stirred into a bathtubful of water, causes a copious liberation of carbon dioxide, which is refreshing. This mixture can be made into tablets by compression, moistening, if necessary, with alcohol. Water, of course, cannot be used in making them, as its presence causes the decomposition referred to. Perfume may be added to this powder, essential oils being a good form. Oil of lavender would be a suitable addition, in the proportion of a fluidrachm or more to the pound of powder. A better but more expensive perfume may be obtained by mixing 1 part of oil of rose geranium with 6 parts of oil of lavender. A perfume still more desirable may be had by adding a mixture of the oils from which Cologne water is made. For an ordinary quality the following will suffice:

Oil of lavender 4 fluidrachms Oil of rosemary 4 fluidrachms Oil of bergamot 1 fluidounce Oil of lemon 2 fluidounces Oil of clove 30 minims

For the first quality the following may be taken:

Oil of neroli 6 fluidrachms Oil of rosemary 3 fluidrachms Oil of bergamot 3 fluidrachms Oil of cedrat 7 fluidrachms Oil of orange peel 7 fluidrachms

A fluidrachm or more of either of these mixtures may be used to the pound, as in the case of lavender.

These mixtures may also be used in the preparation of a bath powder {104} (non-effervescent) made by mixing equal parts of powdered soap and powdered borax.

BATH-TUB ENAMEL: See Varnishes.

BATH-TUB PAINTS: See Paint.

«BATTERY FILLERS AND SOLUTIONS.»

I.—In the so-called dry batteries the exciting substance is a paste instead of a fluid; moisture is necessary to cause the reaction. These pastes are generally secret preparations. One of the earlier “dry” batteries is that of Gassner. The apparatus consists of a containing vessel of zinc, which forms the positive element; the negative one is a cylinder of carbon, and the space between is filled with a paste, the recipe for which is:

Oxide of zinc 1 part Sal ammoniac 1 part Plaster 3 parts Chloride of zinc 1 part Water 2 parts

The usual form of chloride-of-silver battery consists of a sealed cell containing a zinc electrode, the two being generally separated by some form of porous septum. Around the platinum or silver electrode is cast a quantity of silver chloride. This is melted and generally poured into molds surrounding the metallic electrode. The exciting fluid is either a solution of ammonium chloride, caustic potassa, or soda, or zinc sulphate. As ordinarily constructed, these cells contain a paste of the electrolyte, and are sealed up hermetically in glass or hard-rubber receptacles.

II.—The following formula is said to yield a serviceable filling for dry batteries:

Charcoal 3 ounces Graphite 1 ounce Manganese dioxide 3 ounces Calcium hydrate 1 ounce Arsenic acid 1 ounce Glucose mixed with dextrine or starch 1 ounce

Intimately mix, and then work into a paste of proper consistency with a saturated solution of sodium and ammonium chlorides containing one-tenth of its volume of a mercury-bichloride solution and an equal volume of hydrochloric acid. Add the fluid gradually, and well work up the mass.

III.—Calcium chloride, crystallized 30 parts Calcium chloride, granulated 30 parts Ammonium sulphate 15 parts Zinc sulphate 25 parts

«Solutions for Batteries.»—The almost exclusively employed solution of sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride) presents the drawback that the zinc rods, glasses, etc., after a short use, become covered with a fine, yellow, very difficultly soluble, basic zinc salt, whereby the generation of the electric current is impaired, and finally arrested altogether. This evil may be remedied by an admixture of cane sugar. For a battery of ordinary size about 20 to 25 grams of sugar, dissolved in warm water, is sufficient per 50 to 60 grams of sal ammoniac. After prolonged use only large crystals (of a zinc saccharate) form, which, however, become attached only to the zinc rod in a few places, having very little disadvantageous effect upon the action of the batteries and being easy to remove, owing to their ready solubility.

BAUDOIN METAL: See Alloys.

«BAY RUM.»

I.—Oil of bay 1 drachm Alcohol 18 ounces Water 18 ounces

Mix and filter through magnesia.

II.—Bay-leaf otto 1⁠/⁠2 ounce Magnesium carbonate 1⁠/⁠2 ounce Jamaica rum 2 pints Alcohol 3 pints Water 3 pints

Triturate the otto with the magnesium carbonate, gradually adding the other ingredients, previously mixed, and filter. If the rum employed contains sufficient sugar or mucilaginous matter to cause any stickiness to be felt on the skin, rectification will be necessary.

BEAR FAT: See Fats.