_a._ Ordinary hippuric acid is very gently boiled, for about 15 minutes,
in nitric acid[151] (sp. gr. 1·42); water is then added, and the solution
allowed to cool and crystallise. The crystals are collected on a filter,
washed with a little very cold water, dried by pressure in bibulous paper,
and lastly, purified by sublimation, as before.
[Footnote 151: Hydrochloric acid as well as sulphuric acid also convert
hippuric acid into benzoic acid; as does likewise a sufficient degree of
heat. See HIPPURIC ACID.]
_b._ From the urine of horses, cows, and other graminivorous animals, in a
similar way to that by which hippuric acid is obtained, only allowing the
urine to acquire a slight degree of putridity before evaporation, which
last should be effected by a heat slightly under that of ebullition. The
crude acid thus obtained is purified as previously directed.
_Obs._ Large quantities of benzoic acid are said to be obtained in this
way on the Continent; but, owing to the process being clumsily conducted,
it is generally of inferior quality, and hence unsaleable. It may,
however, by skilful purification, be rendered quite equal to that obtained
from gum benzoin.[152]
[Footnote 152: "A manufactory of sal-ammoniac, near Magdeburgh, which uses
urine, is able to supply flowers of benjamin by the cwt." (Gray.)]
_Prop._ When obtained by sublimation benzoic acid forms soft, light,
feathery, white, flexible crystals, which are transparent or
semi-transparent, with more or less of a mother-of-pearl lustre; when by
slowly cooling its aqueous solution, or by precipitation from a solution
of a benzoate, it forms either thin plates or scales, or a dazzling white
crystalline powder. It is inodorous when cold,[153] but acquires a faint
balsamic odour when gently warmed; fuses at about 212° Fahr., and begins
to sublime freely at a temperature a little above it, but does not boil
until heated to about 460°; burns with a bright yellow flame; is very
soluble in alcohol, dissolves in about 200 parts of cold water, and about
25 parts of boiling water; resists the action of ordinary nitric acid even
when boiling; and forms salts (BEN'ZOATES) with the bases. Sp. gr. 0·667.
Its vapour, which is very suffocating and irritating, has a density of
4·27. Added to fat and fatty substances it either prevents, or greatly
retards, the accession of rancidity.
[Footnote 153: That of the shops usually smells slightly of benzoin, owing
to the presence of a trace of volatile oil.]
_Test, &c._ It may be recognised--1. By its physical properties
(appearance, fusibility, volatility, odour, &c.) already enumerated:--2.
By its ready solubility in solutions of the alkalies; and by being
precipitated from these solutions, on the addition of one of the stronger
acids, under the form of a dazzling white powder, which is only sparingly
soluble in cold water:--3. By its neutral salts with the alkalies, or its
neutral solution in an alkali, giving a bulky, flesh-coloured precipitate
with perchloride of iron, which is insoluble in water:--4. By its solution
not being precipitated by acetate of lead until after neutralisation with
a fixed alkali, when the acetate produces a white, flocculent
precipitate:--5. By a mixture of alcohol, ammonia, and solution of
chloride of barium, neither disturbing a solution of the free acid, nor
that of one of its salts with the alkalies.
It is chemically distinguished from cinnamic acid by not yielding
essential oil of almonds when it is distilled with oxidising agents, as
chromic acid or a mixture of bichromate of potassium and sulphuric acid;
and from succinic acid, by its different deportment with sesquichloride of
iron (_Test 3, antè_), and with a mixture of alcohol, ammonia, and
solution of chloride of barium (_T. 5, antè_).
_Estim._--1. By weighing it as benzoic acid, obtained either by
precipitation, or by very careful sublimation in a glass apparatus:--2. By
neutralising its alcoholic or aqueous solution, by the usual method of
acidimetry:--3. By precipitating its neutral solution with acetate of
lead, or with sesquichloride of iron, and weighing the carefully washed
and dried precipitate either as benzoate of lead, or as ferric benzoate.
_Pur., &c._ White crystalline silky plates and needles, have an aromatic
odour. Solubility in cold water, 1 in 300; in boiling water, 1 in 12; in
spirit, 1 in 4. Also soluble in caustic alkalies and lime. Borax
considerably increases its solubility in water; 1 of benzoic acid and 1 of
borax are soluble in 100 of water. It sublimes without residue when
heated. It is sometimes met with adulterated with hippuric acid, which may
be easily detected by its altered form, by its diminishing solubility in
cold water, and by its exhaling an odour of tonquin-beans, and afterwards
of hydrocyanic acid, when sublimed. The presence of succinic acid may be
readily detected by its greatly increased solubility in cold water; that
of sugar, not only by its increased solubility, and partial volatility,
but also by the odour of caramel being evolved on the application of
sufficient heat, and the residuum being black and carbonaceous; that of
camphor, by its peculiar odour when gently heated. Spermaceti, specially
prepared for the purpose, is also an occasional adulterant, easily
detected by its insolubility and other well-known properties. All these
substances either destroy or lack the proper crystalline form of benzoic
acid, which is one of the best proofs of its purity. They also greatly
increase its sp. gr.
_Uses, &c._ Its chief use in _medicine_ is as a stimulant and expectorant.
It is an ingredient in the compound tincture of camphor (paregoric elixir)
of the pharmacop[oe]ia.--_Dose_, 10 to 30 gr., dissolved in water by the
aid of a little ammonia or potassa; in old coughs, &c.
=BENZOIC AL'COHOL.= A peculiar oily fluid, discovered by M. Cannizzaro,
and obtained by the action of an alcoholic solution of potassa on pure oil
of bitter almonds.
=BENZOIN'=, B. P. (-zoyn'; z[=o]'-[)i]n). _Syn._
GUM-BENZOIN*[double-dagger], BEN'JAMIN[dagger]*, GUM-B.[dagger]*;
BENZÖI'NUM, L., B. P.; BENJOIN, Fr.; BENZÖE, Ger. The balsamic resin
exuded from incisions made in the stem of the _styrax benzoin_, a
native of Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Laos, and Siam. Several varieties of
benzoin are in the market; two only, however, are chiefly used in
medicine, one in agglutinated masses, the other (from Siam), in
tears, being the purer and having the stronger odour.
_Prop., &c._ Odour agreeable, and somewhat like that of vanilla, but more
balsamic; fracture conchoidal; lustre greasy; sp. gr. 1·063 to 1·092. It
fuses at a gentle heat and exhales white fumes, which, on condensation,
are found to be benzoic acid contaminated with a little volatile oil.
Alcohol dissolves the larger portion of it, ether much less, and the
volatile and fixed oils only a little. It contains from 9% to 18, or
(occasionally) nearly 20%, of benzoic acid, according to the quality. It
burns with an agreeable odour. The resin and its alcoholic solution strike
a bright red colour with oil of vitriol, and a green colour with chloride
of iron.
Benzoin has occasionally been sold by fraudulent dealers after its benzoic
acid has been removed by the wet method. When the gum has been thus
treated it will not show the agglutinated tears, upon fracture, which
commonly distinguishes it when intact.
_Uses, &c._ It is chiefly employed in perfumery, and as an ingredient in
incense, fumigating pastilles, &c.; also in court-plaster, in certain
cosmetics, and to scent the varnish used for snuff-boxes, walking-sticks,
&c. As a medicine, its general effects resemble those of the other true
balsams, and of benzoic acid.--_Dose_, 5 or 6 to 20, or even 30 gr., in
powder, and usually in combination with some other remedy; chiefly in
chronic pulmonary and bronchial affections, when occurring in torpid
habits, and unaccompanied by inflammatory symptoms or gastric irritation.
Also as a fumigation in the same diseases, hooping-cough, &c. Like benzoic
acid, it is used to prevent rancidity in ointments, pomades, and other
fatty preparations.
=BENZOINUM.= See BENZOIN.
=BEN'ZOL= (-z[=o]le). C_{6}H_{6}. [_benz_(oin)-_oleum._] _Syn._ BEN'ZENE*,
BEN'Z[)I]NE, BEN'Z[=O]LE*, HYDR[)I]DE OF PHE'N[)Y]L*, PHE'NE[dagger], &c.;
BENZO'LEUM, L.; BENZINE, Fr.; BENZÖL, Ger. A peculiar ethereal hydrocarbon
discovered, by Faraday, among the products of the destructive distillation
of whale oil and other organic substances (A.D. 1825); and subsequently
shown, by Mitscherlich, to form the principal ingredient in the distillate
procured by the action of heat on a mixture of benzoic acid and hydrate of
lime. In 1849, Mr C. B. Mansfield[154] discovered its presence in coal-tar
naphtha, from which the benzol of commerce is now chiefly, if not wholly,
obtained.
[Footnote 154: This unfortunate chemist lost his life (Feb. 25, 1855), in
consequence of being severely burned whilst experimenting on benzol.]
_Prep._ 1. PURE:--_a._ A mixture of benzoic acid, 1 part; fresh-slaked
lime, 3 parts; is submitted, in a coated glass or earthenware retort, to a
heat slowly raised to redness; the oily portion of the resulting
distillate is then separated from the water, and carefully rectified, with
the proper precautions, at a temperature not exceeding 190° Fahr. The
product is usually stated to be pure benzol; but to ensure this it may be
submitted to one refrigeration and rectification, in the manner and at the
temperature noticed below.
_b._ From good commercial benzol, agitated with 1-4th or 1-5th of its
weight of concentrated sulphuric acid, and, after repose and decantation,
rectified at a temperature under 195° Fahr.; the resulting distillate is
exposed to a temperature below[155] 32° Fahr., and the mass of crystals
that form are thrown on a funnel, kept at the same temperature, to drain,
after which they are pressed between folds of bibulous paper,[156] and
then allowed to liquefy by simple exposure, in a close vessel, to the
ordinary temperature of the atmosphere. The product, after rectification
at a temperature not exceeding 190,° is nearly pure benzol. It may be
rendered absolutely pure by repeating the refrigeration a second and a
third time, followed by a final rectification at 180-185° Fahr.
[Footnote 155: Preferably considerably below. If the distillate be not
rich in benzol, a temperature so low as 8 or 10°, or even 4-5°, Fahr. may
be necessary or, at all events, advantageous.]
[Footnote 156: Filtration under pressure is thought by some chemists to be
preferable. For this purpose a 'Beart's Coffee-pot' (or a similarly
constructed apparatus), was often employed by Mansfield, and is
recommended by Prof. Muspratt.]
2. COMMERCIAL:--By submitting light coal-tar naphtha to distillation,
either at once, or after it has been agitated with a little oil of
vitriol, and decanted, care being taken that the temperature does not
exceed 200° Fahr.
A drawing and description of the apparatus invented by Mansfield for the
preparation of benzol from coal-tar naphtha is given below.
[Illustration]
A is the still placed on a furnace R; C is filled with cold water. As soon
as the oil in the still boils, the vapours are condensed in B, and flow
back into A; this continues until the water in C has been heated to a
certain temperature, when the vapours are condensed in the cooler D, the
liquid flowing at _n_ into the carboy S. As soon as the water in C begins
to boil, all the substances contained in the coal-tar naphtha and volatile
at 212° Fahr. are condensed and collected in S. A very pure benzol is
obtained by this apparatus. By opening the tap _m_, the hydrocarbons which
boil over 212° Fahr. can be rectified. The stopcock _i_ is used for
opening the still.
In the benzol works the apparatus shown below is employed.
A is the still, B the condenser, C a water-tank. At the commencement of
the operation the water in C is heated by means of the steam-pipe D which
communicates with the steam boiler. The tube G is attached to the still;
_i_ is a contrivance for filling, _b_ for emptying it. The condensed water
is carried off by means of H. By freezing benzol and pressing the solid
substance obtained, it may be rendered quite pure.
[Illustration]
_Prop._ Pure benzol is a clear, colourless, very mobile liquid, having a
strong, characteristic, and rather agreeable ethereal odour. It is neutral
to test-paper; exceedingly volatile at all temperatures; insoluble in
water; miscible with alcohol and with ether; highly inflammable; burns
with a brilliant flame, emitting clouds of smoke, which rapidly condense
and fall as a shower of fine sooty, carbonaceous matter; boils at 176°
Fahr.;[157] solidifies, at 32°, to a snowy white camphor-like mass, or
when very slowly refrigerated, to beautiful transparent cruciform
leaflets, which aggregate together into forms resembling fern-fronds;
remelts at 40-1° Fahr.; and when solidifies burns, like camphor, without
previous fusion. Sp. gr. ·850;[158] sp. gr. of vapour, 2·770.[159] It is
unaffected by the ordinary hydrated acids, and has no action on the
alkaline metals. Highly concentrated nitric acid readily dissolves it, and
from this solution nitrobenzol is precipitated on the addition of water.
Its vapour is dangerously inflammable, and, when mixed with the air, is
highly explosive. Its solvent power extends over a numerous list of
substances. Commercial benzol has a less agreeable odour, and not
unfrequently a slight colour, with other modifications of the properties
just enumerated, depending on the relative amount of impurities contained
in it.
[Footnote 157: Fownes, Mansfield, Muspratt, and others; 186°--Mitscherlich
187°--Mr C. G. Williams (in Ure's 'Dict. of A. M., & M.,' 5th ed.). (See
next note.)]
[Footnote 158: Williams, Ure, Muspratt; ·885--Fownes, Mitscherlich. The
different sp. gr. and boiling-points assigned to benzol, by authors, can
only be accounted for by samples of different degrees of purity having
probably been examined. The numbers given in the text are those not
usually adopted; but we are not prepared to say, that they are definitely
settled. On the contrary, we think it not unlikely that further
investigations may show that the apparently greater levity of the benzole
obtained from naphtha may arise from the presence of some other
hydrocarbon which has hitherto escaped detection.]
[Footnote 159: Theoretically, 2·738.]
_Pur._--1. It should be colourless, without action on either litmus or
turmeric paper, and have the boiling-point, sp. gr.,[160] &c. already
indicated:--2. A few drops thrown on a slip of glass or a piece of white
paper should rapidly and entirely evaporate by simple exposure to the air
without leaving a stain behind, or evolving any disagreeable or foreign
odour:--3. Agitation with a little sulphuric acid should not discolour
it:--4. It should not perceptibly lose weight or volume by agitation with
a little cold water.
[Footnote 160: If it has a less sp. gr. than ·850, it is probably
adulterated with the naphtha obtained from the Torbane-hill mineral or
Boghead-coal, of which the sp. gr. is only ·750.]
_Detec._--1. From the physical and other properties already
enumerated:--2. By converting it into aniline and then testing it
accordingly. For this purpose a little of it is dissolved in concentrated
nitric acid, and the nitrobenzol thus formed is precipitated by the
addition of water. The fluid is then agitated with ether, to dissolve out
the nitrobenzol, and the resulting ethereal solution is mixed with an
equal bulk of alcohol and hydrochloric acid and a little granulated zinc
at once added. Hydrogen is evolved, and by its action the nitro-compound
is converted into aniline. The liquid is next alkalised with potassa in
excess, and the alkaline fluid agitated with ether. The ethereal solution,
on evaporation, leaves a residue (aniline), which, after the addition of a
little water, may be tested with a few drops of solution of chloride of
lime, when a characteristic purple colour will be developed, provided the
original liquor was benzole, or contained it. In this way very minute
traces of benzol may be detected.
_Uses, &c._ In its impure or commercial form, chiefly as a solvent for
gutta percha and india rubber; but it leaves the first in a spongy,
friable state, and the latter glutinous or sticky, unless heat is applied
to it for some time; also as a solvent in the manufacture of varnishes, as
a diluent in lieu of oil of turpentine, for oil-paints, as a material for
the production of artificial light, &c., &c. In the pure or nearly pure
form it is largely employed in the laboratory and in chemical analysis as
a solvent of many resins,[161] mastic, wax, camphor, fat, the fixed and
essential oils, sulphur, phosphorus, iodine, several of the
alkaloids,[162] &c., &c. Under the name of BENZINE and BENZINE-COLLAS it
has been recently extensively vended for the removal of spots of grease,
paint, &c., from woven fabrics, which it does most readily and completely,
without detriment to the material. As a source of artificial light it has
been the subject of innumerable applications and patents. It may be burned
in a 'wickless' lamp, provided a proper cap-burner be employed. Alcohol or
pyroxilic spirit containing 1-3rd, or even 1-4th of it, burns with a rich
white flame. Air driven through it becomes sufficiently inflammable to
serve as illuminating gas; whilst ordinary coal-gas by merely passing over
it yields a flame of greatly increased brilliancy; but in all these
applications the greatest possible care is necessary to prevent
accidents.[163] See NAPHTHA (Coal-tar).
[Footnote 161: Anime and copal are scarcely affected by it in the fluid
state, but readily dissolve in its vapour at the point of condensation.]
[Footnote 162: Particularly quinine, which it dissolves readily, but not
cinchonine. Hence it is invaluable for the separation of them. It may be
economically and conveniently substituted for ether in the preparation of
many alkaloids, with the advantage of being applicable in many cases in
which ether cannot be employed.]
[Footnote 163: Workmen constantly exposed to the vapour of benzol are very
subject to nervous irritability, and, where the apartment is
ill-ventilated, even fits of nervous prostration and trembling, of a truly
alarming character. In two or three cases which we have seen, the
symptoms, to the inexperienced eye, closely resembled those occasionally
resulting from the long-continued use of very minute doses of strychnia,
or of the alcoholic extract of nux vomica.]
=Benzol, Nitrate of.= See NITRO-BENZOL.
=BENZOLINE.= A product of the fractional distillation of American rock
oil. If used for burning purposes, care should always be taken to use a
sponge lamp, so as to ensure the benzoline vapour (which is extremely
inflammable) being well diluted with air when burnt.
=BENZOYL.= C_{7}H_{5}O. The radical of an extensive series of compounds,
of which the hydride, C_{7}H_{5}OH (essential oil of bitter almonds), and
benzoic acid, HC_{7}H_{5}O_{2} are the most important members.
=Benzoyl, Hy'dride of.= C_{7}H_{5}OH. _Syn._ ESSENCE OF BITTER ALMONDS,
ESSENTIAL OIL OF BITTER ALMONDS, VOLATILE OIL OF BITTER ALMONDS.
_Prep._ 1. The crude oil of bitter almonds is agitated with a moderately
dilute solution of protochloride of iron which has been previously mixed
with fresh hydrate of lime in excess, and the whole, after having been
placed in a retort connected with a suitable receiver, is subjected to
distillation. The oil passes over mixed with water, from which it is
easily separated after repose. By subjecting it to a second agitation and
distillation with a fresh mixture of the protochloride and hydrate, and,
after careful separation from the water which distils over with it,
allowing it to remain for some hours in contact with fragments of fused
chloride of calcium, to free it from all traces of adhering water, the
product will be nearly chemically pure, provided the whole process has
been conducted with as little access of air as possible.
2. (Liebig.) Agitate the crude oil of bitter almonds with mercuric oxide
in slight excess, and, after a few days' contact, rectify the oil from a
little fresh oxide. The product is quite pure when the process is properly
managed. The bicyanide of mercury thus formed may be either employed as
such, or reconverted into oxide of mercury and hydrocyanic acid.
_Prop., &c._ A rather thin, colourless liquid, of great refractive power
and characteristic and agreeable odour; soluble in 35 parts of water;
miscible in all proportions with alcohol and ether; it boils at 356°
Fahr.; on exposure to the air it rapidly absorbs oxygen, and becomes
converted into a mass of crystallised benzoic acid; heated with solid
hydrate of potassa hydrogen is evolved, and benzoate of potassium formed;
with the alkaline bisulphites it forms beautiful crystalline compounds.
Its flame, and that of its vapour, is bright but very smoky. Sp. gr.
1·043. It differs from the crude or common oil of bitter almonds chiefly
in the absence of hydrocyanic acid, and consequently in not being
poisonous. It has hence been proposed as a substitute for the crude oil as
a flavouring ingredient in cookery, confectionery, liqueurs, &c.; but is
unfitted for the purpose, owing to the rapid deterioration it suffers
unless it be kept absolutely excluded from the air.
_Formiate of Hydride of Benzoyle._ See FORMOBENZOIC ACID.
=BER'BERINE= (-een).[164] C_{20}H_{17}NO_{4}. [Eng., Fr.] _Syn._
BAR'BER[)I]NE*, BER'BERITE* (of Thomson); BERBERI'NA, L. A substance
discovered by Buchner and Herberger in the root of the common barberry
shrub (_ber'beris vulga'ris_, Linn.); and subsequently, by Bödecker, in
calumba-root; and more recently by Mr Perrins, in the calumba-wood
(_menispermum fenestratum_) of Ceylon, which contains a considerable
quantity of it.
[Footnote 164: This substance must not be confounded with BEEBERINE or
BIBERINE (which _see_).]
_Prep._ 1. A soft watery extract of the root, or of the wood, is digested
in rectified spirit, with trituration, as long as anything is taken up;
the resulting tincture, after repose, is filtered, and the alcohol
gradually distilled off until the residuum has the consistence of a thin
syrup. The crystals which form as the liquid cools are drained in a
funnel, washed with a few drops of ice-cold water, pressed dry in bibulous
paper, and then purified by solution and crystallisation, first in
rectified spirit, and next in distilled water.
2. By digesting the root, or the wood (coarsely powdered) in rectified
spirit, and then proceeding as before.
_Prop._ Berberine may be classed with the azotised colouring substances;
or, from its composition and its possessing feeble basic properties, with
the alkaloids. It crystallises in fine needles, or in stellated prisms,
which are yellow, odourless, very bitter-tasted, neutral to test-paper,
and contain 12 equiv. of water. At 212° Fahr. it acquires a red colour;
but recovers its normal yellow on cooling. A much higher temperature
decomposes it, yellow vapours being evolved. It is freely soluble in
boiling water and in alcohol, from either of which solutions it may be
readily obtained in crystals. It requires 500 parts of water at 60° to
dissolve it, and very much more at lower temperatures. Its solutions are
yellow; that in alcohol appears green by reflected light. The concentrated
mineral acids destroy it. Its salts are more or less soluble.
_Uses, &c._ Chiefly in medicine, in similar cases to those in which the
use of calumba-root is indicated. It has been highly recommended in
dyspepsia and heartburn, in disturbed action of the liver, and, combined
with iron (lactate, phosphate, or hyposulphite), in chlorosis, anæmia, &c.
According to M. Altin, it is an effectual remedy for the mucal, colourless
diarrh[oe]a, and the derangement of the urinary secretions which commonly
follow cholera.--_Dose_, 3 to 10 gr.; in larger doses it proves laxative.
See CALUMBA, &c.
=BERENIZON= (Dr Charles Wortley). A preparation for promoting the growth
of the hair. Balsam of Peru 3 grammes, castor oil 3 grammes, tinct.
cinchona 4 grammes, spirit 85 grammes, rosewater 40 grammes. (Schädler.)
=BERG'AMOT.= _Syn._ BERGAMO'TA, L.; BERGAMOTE, Fr.; BERGAMOTTE, Fr., Ger.
The bergamot-lemon, or fruit of _cit'rus ber'ga'mia_; also sometimes,
colloquially, the fragrant oil obtained from its rind. See OILS
(Volatile).
=BERGBALSAM--MOUNTAIN BALSAM= (of G. Schmidt, Berlin). Recommended for
hemorrhoids, want of appetite, headache, constipation, &c. Rhubarb 2
parts, cortex frangulæ 10 parts, milfoil flowers (_Achillea millefolium_)
1 part, tansy 1 part, crystallised soda 1-1/2 parts; be digested for some
hours in warm water, the fluid expressed made up to 26 parts, 30 parts of
sugar dissolved in it, and lastly mixed with 17 parts of rectified
spirit. (Hager.)
=BER'RY= (b[)e]r'-re). _Syn._ BAC'CA (pl. _bac'cæ_, -s[=e]), L.; BAIE,
Fr.; BEERE, Ger. Any small succulent or pulpy fruit containing several
naked seeds or granules. In _botany_, an indehiscent pericarp or
seed-vessel, pulpy, many-celled, and many-seeded, the seeds being naked,
and for a time connected by a slender membrane, from which they become
detached at maturity, and then remain dispersed through the pulp. It is
distinguished by its figure, &c., into several varieties.
The leading berries employed in domestic economy and the arts are noticed
in their alphabetical places (which _see_).
=BER'YL= (b[)e]r-r[)i]l). _Syn._ AQUAMARINE' (r[=e]ne); A'QUA-MARI'NA,
BERYL'LUS, L.; AIGUE-MARINE, BÉRIL, Fr.; BERYLL, &c., Ger.; SMARAGD, It. A
beautiful mineral, which, in its richer forms, is classed with the gems.
It is usually of a green colour of various shades, passing into
honey-yellow and sky-blue. It is allied in composition to the emerald; but
occurs in much larger crystals than that gem, and owes its colour to oxide
of iron instead of oxide of chromium. According to Gmelin its composition
is--Silica, 68·7%; alumina, 17·6%; glucina, 13·4%; red oxide of iron,
·24%. Other (previous) authorities state that it contains fully 14% of
glucina, 2% of lime, and 1% of oxide of iron.
The finest beryls come from Dauria on the frontiers of China, from
Siberia, and from Brazil. Some of gigantic size have been found in the
U.S., at Ackworth and Grantham, New Hampshire, and at Royalston, Mass. One
of these measured 32 × 22 × 15 inches, and weighed 2900 _lbs._; another,
12 × 24 × 45 inches, and weighed 1076 _lbs._
Apatite or Saxony beryl, chrysolite or pierre d'asperge, coloured
fluor-spar, and even natural crystals of phosphate of iron, are often
worked up by the lapidaries and passed off as beryls, or false beryls,
emeralds, topazes, &c. See GEMS, PASTES, &c.
=BERYL'LA*.= See GLUCINUM, OXIDE OF.
=BERYL'LIUM*.= See GLUCINIUM.
=BETAINE.= C_{5}H_{11}NO_{21}. An alkaloid occurring in the juice of the
mangold-wurzel. Scheibler prepares it as follows:--The expressed juice of
the mangold-wurzel, strongly acidulated with hydrochloric acid, is mixed
with a solution of sodium phosphotungstate;[165] the resulting precipitate
containing albumen, colouring matter, woody fibre, and a small quantity of
the base, is filtered as quickly as possible, and the filtrate, mixed with
a fresh quantity of the precipitant, is left to itself for eight or ten
days. It then gradually deposits on the bottom and sides of the vessel a
crystalline precipitate, which is rinsed with a little water and treated
with milk of lime, whereby insoluble calcium phosphotungstate is produced,
while the betaine remains in solution. The filtered liquid freed from lime
by carbonic acid, and evaporated, leaves impure betaine, which may be
purified by recrystallisation from alcohol, with help of animal charcoal.
[Footnote 165: Prepared by dissolving sodium bitungstate in ordinary
phosphoric acid, adding hydrochloric acid, and decanting the clear
solution from the precipitate thereby produced.]
A hydrochlorate, a sulphate, an aurochloride, and a platinic chloride of
betaine have been prepared.
=BE'TEL= (b[=e]'tl). [Eng., Ger.] _Syn._ BE'TLE, BE'TEL-TREE, B.
PEPPER-TREE; BÉTEL, Fr.; WASSERPFEFFER, &c., Ger.; PI'PER BE'TEL (Linn.),
CHAVICA BETLE (Miquel), L. A climbing plant of the nat. ord. Piperaceæ,
common in India and the East. Its leaves, which somewhat resemble those of
the citron, are bitter, stomachic, tonic, stimulant, and sialogogue.
=Betel.= A common masticatory in the East, where it is chewed in the same
way as tobacco is by Europeans and Americans, but much more generally,
being regarded by the Malays, Sumatrans, &c., as an absolute necessary of
life. It is commonly formed by dividing areca-nuts[166] into four or six
equal parts or slices, one of which is rolled up, with a little
chunam,[167] in a sirih or leaf of the piper-betel,[168] and then
constitutes a 'quid' ready for use.
[Footnote 166: In many cases suitable pieces of the whole fruit, including
the husk, are used; and in others only the husk (PINANG); there being
different strengths and qualities of 'betel' employed.]
[Footnote 167: Lime made by burning shells.]
[Footnote 168: In some cases, the leaf of chavica siriboa (Miq.), which
possesses similar properties, is employed.]
_Prop., &c._ Betel, in those accustomed to its use, produces a species of
pleasing excitement or intoxication, stimulates the action of the salivary
glands, stomach, and kidneys, corrects acidity, diminishes cutaneous
perspiration, restrains excessive discharges, increases the power of
physical exertion and endurance, moderates the effects of climate, and
appears to act as a general tonic on the system. It darkens the teeth, and
tinges the saliva as well as the mouth and lips of a bright red colour. In
those unhabituated to its use it causes giddiness, astringes and
excoriates the mouth and fauces, and temporarily deadens the sense of
taste. The Indians conceive that it preserves and fastens the teeth,
cleanses and strengthens the gums, sweetens the breath, cools the mouth,
assists respiration, and acts as a general aphrodisiac on both sexes.
Peron states that he preserved his health during a long and very trying
voyage by the habitual use of betel, whilst his companions, who did not
use it, died mostly of dysentery.[169]
[Footnote 169: 'Voyage aux Terres Australes.']
=BE'TEL-NUT.= _Syn._ ARE'CA-NUT; NUX ARE'CÆ CAT'ECHU, N.-BE'TEL, &c., L.
The seed of the catechu-palm (_are'ca_, _cat'echu_, Linn.), divested of
the husk or fibrous pericarp. The whole fruit (ARECA-NUT of commerce) is
about the size of a small egg; the husked nut is of the size of a large
nutmeg. The whole fruit is remarkable for its narcotic or intoxicating
power. It has, however, been thought doubtful whether its intoxicating
effect is not owing to the piper-leaf in which it is wrapped when eaten
(chewed), rather than to any special property of its own. See ARECA
CATECHU.
=BETTNASSEN, Remedy for Incontinence of Urine= (prepared by Dr
Kirchhoffer, in Kappel by St. Galle). Thirty powders, each consisting of 2
grammes ferri carbonas, 4 grammes ergotæ pulv., ·03 grammes extract. sem.
strychni. aquos. The prescription for the embrocation runs--Spirit
serpylli 120 grammes, tinct. sem. strychni. 60 grammes, liq. ammon. 15
grammes. (Hager.)
=BET'ULINE= (-[=u]-l[)i]n; b[=e]-t[=u]). [Eng., Fr.] _Syn._ BETULI'NA, L.
A crystalline substance obtained from the bark of the white birch
(_be't[)u]la al'ba_, Linn.).
=BE'ZOAR= (-z[=o]re). [Eng., L. indecl.; prim. Pers.[170]] _Syn._
BE'ZOAR-STONE; BEZOÄR'DUS, LA'PIS BEZOÄR'DICUS, &c., L.; BÉZOAR, BÉZOARD,
Fr.; BEZOARSTEIN, Ger. The name of preternatural concretions found in the
stomach, intestines, &c., of certain animals, and formerly supposed to
possess the most extraordinary antidotal power and medicinal virtues. So
far, indeed, did this belief extend, that other substances regarded as
antidotes were called BEZOAR'DICS[dagger], or otherwise named after them;
whilst the adj. BEZOAR'DIC[dagger] (b[)e]z-) and BEZOAR'TICAL[dagger]
(bézoardique, Fr.; bezoar'dicus, L.), came to be synonymous with
antidotal. Certain bezoars were once valued at even ten times their weight
in gold. They were not only taken internally, but also worn as amulets.
They have, however, long since fallen into disuse in this country.
[Footnote 170: Some authorities derive this word from _badzahr_ or
_pazahar_, Persian compounds implying 'antidote to poison,' others, from
_paseng_, or _pasahr_, the name of the goat in Persia. Mayne's
notation--_bez oar_, is unusual; and several of his analogues, synonymes,
&c., are incorrectly given (? misprinted).]