3. Sal-ammoniac and bone-dust, of each 2 parts; prussiate of potash, 1
part. (See _above_.)
=CA'SEIN.= _Syn._ CA'SEUM, CA'SEIN, LACTALBU'MEN, ALBUMEN OF MILK. The
nitrogenous principle of milk. Cheese made from skimmed milk and well
pressed is nearly pure casein. (Liebig.)
_Prep._ 1. The curd obtained by adding dilute sulphuric acid to milk is
well washed and dissolved in carbonate of soda. It is allowed to stand for
24 hours, to let the oil rise to the surface, and when this is properly
skimmed off, the casein is precipitated by an acid. The process is
repeated a second time, and the coagulum digested with alcohol and ether,
and dried. With all these precautions the casein still contains some
saline matter which cannot be removed.
2. Milk is coagulated by hydrochloric acid, and the curd then well washed
with dilute acid, and finally with pure water. The curd so prepared is
dissolved by digestion at 110° Fahr., with a large quantity of water; the
solution, after filtration, is coagulated with carbonate of ammonia; the
coagulum is washed with water, ether, and alcohol, and finally dried.
_Prop., &c._ Coagulated casein is readily dissolved by the alkalies and
alkaline carbonates. The most remarkable property of casein is its
coagulation by certain animal membranes, as in the process of
cheese-making with rennet. See LACTARIN.
=CASKS.= The care and management of casks is an important affair in a
large establishment. It is found that they last longest when stored either
in a dry situation, or in one uniformly very moist. Continual variations
from the one to the other speedily rot them. As soon as casks are emptied
they should be bunged down quite air-tight, with as much care as if they
were full, by which means they will be preserved both sweet and sound.
Should any of the hoops become loose they should be immediately driven up
tight, which will at once prevent the liability of their being lost or
misplaced, as well as the casks fouling or becoming musty from the
admission of air. For this purpose those out of use should be occasionally
hauled over and examined.
Numerous plans are adopted for CLEANING and PURIFYING CASKS, among which
are the following:--
1. Wash them well out with oil of vitriol, diluted with an equal weight of
water.
2. Wash them first with a little chloride of lime and warm water, and then
with water soured with oil of vitriol.