6295. To Improve Wine by Electricity

6295.    To Improve Wine by Electricity. The process consists in plunging into the vat containing the wine, two plates of platinum or of silver, having attached to them two wires of the same metal, which are connected with the poles of an electric battery. The Bunsen and Daniell's batteries are much used in France for this purpose. The time necessary to transform a low grade wine to one of an agreeable and superior quality, is from two to three weeks, with the battery continually working. By this method, wines which were considered only fit for making vinegar, are changed to such an extent that they are used as good, and in some cases superior table wines. (See No. 726 (Electricity as an Agent for improving Whiskey and Wines).)

6296. Pharaoh's Serpents Eggs

6296.     Pharaoh's Serpents Eggs are made in the following way: Take mercury and dissolve it in moderately dilute nitric acid by means of heat, taking care, however, that there be always an excess of metallic mercury remaining; decant the solution, and pour it into a solution of sulpho-cyanide of ammonium or potassium, which may be bought at a good drug store, or of a dealer in chemicals. Equal weights of both will answer. A precipitate will fall to the bottom of the beaker or jar, which is to be collected on a filter and washed two or three times with water, when it is put in a warm place to dry. Take for every pound of this material 1 ounce gum tragacanth which has been soaked in hot water. When the gum is completely softened it is to be transferred to a mortar, and the pulverized and the dried precipitate gradually mixed with it by means of a little water, so as to present a somewhat dry pill mass, from which pellets of the desired size are formed by hand, put on a piece of glass, and dried again; they are then ready for use.

6297. Pharaoh's Serpents Eggs

6297.    Pharaoh's Serpents Eggs. A substitute, nearly as good as the original mercury compound, and superior in not being poisonous, is prepared in the following way: Take bichromate of potassa, 2 parts; nitrate of potassa, 1 part; white sugar, 3 parts. Pulverize each of the ingredients separately, and then mix them thoroughly. Make small paper cones of tho desired size, and press the mixture into them. They are now ready for use, but must be kept from moisture and light.

6298. Solidified Glycerine for Toilet Use

6298.    Solidified Glycerine for Toilet Use. Transparent soap, 1 ounce; water, 4 ounces; inodorous glycerine, 24 ounces. Dissolve the soap in the water by heat, adding an equal weight of glycerine. "When dissolved, add the remaining portion of glycerine, and sufficient water to make up the weight. When nearly cold, add any suitable perfume and pour in glass jars. It has a very pale amber color, is transparent, melts easily on the skin, and leaves no residue.

6299. To Remedy a Scattering Gun

6299.    To Remedy a Scattering Gun. To prevent a gun from scattering, insert a ring about half an inch in width in the nozzle of the gun, beveling from the outer edge to nothing at the inward. It can be fastened in with rivets. It should be made of metal about 1/16 of an inch in thickness, and be fitted very neatly.