_Obs._ In all the above processes the greatest care must be taken to scald
or soak and well rinse out the casks after the treatment described. See
BREWING UTENSILS, SPOROKTON, MATCHES, &c.
=CAS'SAREEP.= The expressed juice of the sweet cassava, concentrated by
heat and flavoured with aromatics. It is used in the West Indies as a
condiment. (See _below_.)
=CAS'SAVA.= A poisonous shrub cultivated in the West Indies and in many
parts of South America for the sake of the starchy matter contained in its
roots. It belongs to the natural order Euphorbiaceæ, and is known to
botanists under the names _Manihot utilissima_ (Pohl), _Janipha manihot_
(Humboldt), and _Jatropha manihot_ (Linn.), the former being that now
generally adopted. The name "bitter cassava" is commonly given to it in
the West Indies, to distinguish it from another species of the same genus,
_Manihot aipi_ (Pohl), which, from having no poisonous properties, is
named the "sweet cassava." The roots of both species yield the starch, but
those of the poisonous plant are the richer.
The roots, after being well washed and scraped, are rasped or grated, and
the pulp thus formed is subjected to strong pressure, to expel the
poisonous juice which it contains. The compressed pulp is next thoroughly
dried over the fire, being constantly stirred the whole time, by which any
remaining portion of the noxious juice is either volatilised or
decomposed. It now forms CASSAVA MEAL. When it is further prepared by
grinding, it forms FINE CASSAVA MEAL or CASSAVA FLOUR. When the compressed
pulp is baked on a hot plate, it forms CASSAVA BREAD or CASSAVA CAKES, the
flavour of which greatly resembles that of Scotch oat-cakes. See TAPIOCA.
=CAS'SIA.= In _botany_, a genus of the natural order Leguminosæ, including
several important medicinal plants. The "purging cassia," _Cassia fistula_
(Linn.), produces pods containing a soft, blackish pulp. (See _below_,
also SENNA.)
=Cassia Pulp.= _Syn._ CASSIA PRÆPARA'TA, CASSIÆ PULPA (B. P.), L. _Prep._
The cassia (pods or fruit), broken lengthwise, are macerated in sufficient
distilled water to cover them for six hours, constantly stirring; and the
purified pulp strained through a hair sieve, and evaporated to the
consistence of a confection in a water bath.--_Dose._ As a mild laxative,
1 to 2 dr.; as a purgative, 3/4 oz. to 1-1/2 oz.
=CAS'SOLETTES= (Scented). See PASTILLES and PERFUMERY.
=CAS'TOR.= _Syn._ CASTO''REUM, L. (B. P.) "The follicles of the prepuce of
the _Castor fiber_ or _beaver_, filled with a peculiar secretion." (Ph.
L.) "A peculiar secretion from the præputial follicles." (Ph. E. and D.)
It is often sophisticated; a fraud readily detected by the "absence of the
membranous partition in the interior of the bags, as well as by the
altered smell and taste." (Ure.) Russian castor, which is very rare, may
be distinguished by a tincture of 1-16th part in alcohol, being of the
colour of deep sherry, while that with American castor is of the colour of
London porter. (Pereira.)--_Dose_, 1 to 2 dr. or more, in powder or made
into pills; in nervous and spasmodic affections, especially in hysteria,
epilepsy, and other like diseases of females.
=CASTOR CAKE.= The crushed and closely-pressed seeds of the _Ricinus
communis_, after the expression of the oil, are said to be sometimes
employed as a cattle food, and have the following composition:--
Moisture 9·95
Organic matter 81·07
Phosphate of lime and magnesia 4·49
Alkaline salts 1·80
Sand 2·69
------
100·00
This cake, even when mixed with large quantities of linseed cake, &c., is
intensely poisonous. A pupil of the Editor states, however, that in India
castor cake, after exposure to the sun, is commonly and safely used as a
food for cattle.
=CAS'TOR OIL.= See OILS.
=CAS'TORIN.= _Syn._ CASTORIN'A, CASTOREUM CAMPHOR. When castor is cut into
small pieces and boiled in about 6 times its weight of alcohol,
crystalline substance (_castorin_) is deposited by the filtered tincture
in cooling. By re-solution in alcohol it may be obtained under the form of
colourless, prismatic, acicular crystals.
_Obs._ Genuine Russian castor, although the most expensive, must be
employed in the above process, as scarcely any castorin can be obtained
from the American variety.
_Prop., &c._ Castorin has the odour of castor, and a coppery taste; it is
inflammable, and is soluble both in ether and hot alcohol.
=CASTS.= In preparing casts and moulds with gelatin, wax, fusible metal,
and similar substances, it is important to use them at the lowest
temperature compatible with fluidity; as when only a few degrees hotter
the water which adheres to the things from which the casts are taken is
converted into vapour, and produces bubbles. Fusible metal may be allowed
to cool in a teacup until just ready to set at the edges, and then poured
into the moulds. In this way beautiful casts from moulds of wood, or of
other similar substances, may be procured. When taking impressions from
gems, seals, &c., the fused alloy should be placed on paper or pasteboard,
and stirred about till it becomes pasty, from incipient cooling, at which
moment the gem, die, or seal should be suddenly stamped on it, and a very
sharp impression will then be obtained.
=CATALEP'SY.= _Syn._ TRANCE; CATALEP'SIS, CATALEP'SIA, L. A disease in
which the organs of sense and motion cease to exercise their functions,
and the heart and lungs feebly perform their offices, and in a scarcely
perceptible manner. The paroxysm generally comes on without previous
warning, and its duration varies from a few minutes to several days, and
if medical reports are to be credited, sometimes for a much longer period.
Dr Cullen seriously affirms that this disease is always counterfeited.
_Treat._ Ammoniacal stimulants applied to the nostrils, and spirituous
liquors injected into the stomach, with general friction of the body, and
free access to pure air are the best remedies. Electricity and galvanism
should also be had recourse to when the necessary apparatus is at hand.
=CAT'APLASMS.= See POULTICES.
=CAT'ARACT.= An opaque condition of the lens of the eye. It is a common
cause of blindness. It can only be cured by a surgical operation.
=CATARRH'.= _Syn._ CATARRH'US, L. The "cold in the head," or "cold on the
chest," of domestic medicine. Influenza is a severer form of this
complaint, and has been called epidemic catarrh.
The common symptoms of catarrh are a copious discharge from the eyes and
nose, a hoarseness, and generally a cough, more or less severe. The
exciting causes are sudden changes of temperature and exposure to currents
of cold air while the body is heated; hence the frequency of colds in hot
and changeable weather.
_Treat._ A light diet should be adopted, and animal food and fermented and
spirituous liquors should be particularly avoided. Some mild aperient
should be administered; and when the symptoms are severe, or fever or
headache is present, small diaphoretic doses of antimonials, accompanied
by copious draughts of diluents, as barley water, weak tea, or gruel
should be taken. This treatment, except in very bad cases, will generally
effect a cure.
In HORSES catarrh is caused by sudden changes of temperature, draughts,
and faulty ventilation. Let the animal have plenty of cool fresh air, the
body being kept warm by means of horse-cloths and bandages. If necessary,
give a mild physic-ball, or a clyster; keep it on a soft, laxative diet,
and give it an ounce of nitre daily. Should there be sore throat or
troublesome cough apply a mild blister of cantharides or mustard.
The following will be found a serviceable mixture:--Mendererus spirit,
1-1/2 oz.; sweet spirit of nitre, 2 drachms; syrup of sugar, 1/2 oz.;
camphor mixture, enough to make a 6-oz. mixture. An adult may take two
table-spoonfuls of this mixture every 3 or 4 hours. Should the cold in the
head be severe and accompanied with cough, it has been recommended to
inhale the vapour of pure washed ether by drawing it alternately into the
nostrils from a wide-mouthed bottle holding about an ounce, and clutching
it in the warm hand until about a fourth of the ounce has been
volatilised. This repeated two, three, or four times in 48 hours is said
to effect a cure within that time. Persons liable to colds are advised to
use the cold bath.
_Dr Ferrier's Remedy for a Cold in the Head._--Hydrochlorate of morphia, 2
gr.; powdered gum Arabic, 2 drachms; subnitrate of bismuth, 6 drachms.
Mix. Let a very small quantity be sniffed up the nose every five minutes
for 20 or 30 minutes.
Another remedy: Carbolic acid, 10 drops; tincture iodine; chloroform, of
each 7-1/2 grams. Place a few drops in a test-tube, and heat cautiously
over a spirit-lamp, and when it boils remove, and inhale by the nose.
Repeat after a few minutes. Two inhalations are said to be sufficient to
cure a cold in the head. ('Year-book of Pharmacy.')
=CAT'ECHIN.= _Syn._ CATECHU'IC ACID, RESINOUS TAN'NIN. When cubical gambir
or catechu, in powder, is treated with cold water, a portion remains
undissolved. This is catechin. By repeated solutions in alcohol it may be
obtained under the form of white, silky, acicular crystals.
_Prop., &c._ Catechin strikes a green colour with the salts of iron, but
does not precipitate gelatin. When dissolved in caustic potassa, and the
solution exposed to the air, it absorbs oxygen, and japonic acid is
formed. If, instead of caustic potassa, carbonate of potassa is employed,
it is converted into rutic acid.
=CAT'ECHU.= _Syn._ CAS''HEW, CUTCH, GAM'BIR; CAT'ECHU (Ph. L. E. & D.),
TER'RA JAPON'ICA, L.; CACHOU, Fr. "The extract from the wood of _Acacia
Catechu_, or from the leaf of _Uncaria Gambir_." (PALE CATECHU, Catechu
Pallidum, B. P.) Also of the "kernels of _areca catechu_; probably, too,
from other plants." (Ph. E.) The term is now applied to several extracts
similar in appearance and properties to that of _Acacia Catechu_.
There are several varieties of catechu known in commerce, of which the
principal are--
CATECHU, BOMBAY. Firm, brittle, dark brown, of a uniform texture, and a
glossy, semi-resinous, and uneven fracture, Sp. gr. 1·39. Richness in
tannin, 52%.
CATECHU, BENGAL. Rusty brown colour externally; porous, and more friable
than the preceding. Sp. gr. 1·28. Richness in tannin, 49·5%.
CATECHU, MALABAR. Resembles the last in appearance, but is more brittle
and gritty. Sp. gr. 1·40. Richness in tannin, 45·5%.
Of the above varieties the first is the one generally employed in
medicine, and which commonly passes by the name of catechu. The second
popularly passes under the name of _terra Japonica_ (Japan earth), from
the old belief that it was of mineral origin.
CATECHU, PALE, is prepared at Singapore and in the Eastern Archipelago. It
generally occurs in cubical reddish-brown pieces, porous, bitter, and
astringent in taste. Entirely soluble in boiling water; the solution, when
cold, is not rendered blue by iodine. Of 100 parts, only 60 are dissolved
by cold water, and the solution is bright. Thirty parts of isinglass
precipitate the whole of the astringent matter.--_Test._ Sp. gr. 1·39.
"The pale catechu being already in the Edin., the B. P. 1864 retained it
with the black; but the black is the one adopted by all other
pharmacop[oe]ias, and is preferred in the arts and manufactures; it is
well known to be far superior to the pale in astringency, and is always to
be had of good quality; it is therefore a matter of surprise and regret
that it has been rejected from the 'British Pharmacop[oe]ia.'" (Squire.)
_Estim._ It is often of importance to the tanner and dyer to determine the
richness of this article in tannic acid or tannin. The following are two
simple methods:--
1. Exhaust a weighed sample (in powder) with ether, and evaporate by the
heat of a hot-water bath. The product, which is the tannin, must then be
accurately weighed.
2. Dissolve the sample (in powder) in hot water, let it cool out of
contact with the air, filter, and add a solution of gelatin as long as a
precipitate falls. The precipitate, after being washed and dried at a
steam heat, contains 40% of tannin.
_Uses, &c._ Catechu is extensively employed in medicine, both internally
and externally, as an astringent. It is used to flavour British brandy,
and by the tanners as a substitute for oak bark. With it the dyer
produces, inexpensively, many of his most pleasing browns. Alum mordants
are mostly employed in dyeing with catechu. "The salts of copper with
sal-ammoniac cause it to give a BRONZE COLOUR, which is very fast; the
protochloride of tin, a BROWNISH YELLOW; the perchloride of tin, with the
addition of nitrate of copper, a DEEP-BRONZE HUE; acetate of alumina,
alone, a REDDISH BROWN, and with nitrate of copper, a REDDISH-OLIVE GREY;
nitrate of iron, a DARK-BROWN GREY. For dyeing a GOLDEN COFFEE-BROWN, it
has entirely superseded madder; 1 lb. of it being equivalent to 6 lbs. of
this root." (Ure.)--_Dose_, 10 gr. to 30 gr. in solution, in water, or
made into a bolus, or sucked as a lozenge.
=CAT'GUT.= The prepared and twisted intestines of animals. _Prep._ The
guts, taken whilst warm from the animal, are thoroughly cleaned, freed
from adherent fat, and well rinsed in pure water. They are next soaked for
about 2 days in water, after which they are laid on a table and scraped
with a copper plate, having a semicircular notch, beginning the operation
at the smaller end. In this way the mucous and peritoneal membranes are
removed. The guts are then put into fresh water, and soaked until the next
day, when they are again scraped, the larger ends cut off, and after well
washing, again steeped for a night in fresh water, and then for 2 or 3
hours in a weak lye of pearlash or potash (2 oz. to the gall.) They are
lastly washed in clean water, and passed through a polished hole in a
piece of brass to smooth and equalise their surface; after which they are
twisted, and sorted, according to the purposes for which they are
intended. For many purposes the prepared gut is dyed or sulphured, and
rubbed with olive oil. It improves by age. Red or black ink, or any of the
simple dyes or stains, are used to colour it.
_Uses, &c._ Catgut is employed in several of the arts. The strings of
harps, violins, &c., are formed of this material. Whipcord is made from
catgut, which is sewed together while soft with the filandre or scrapings,
after which it is put into a frame and twisted. Bowstrings for hatmakers
are made out of the largest intestines, 4 to 12 of which are twisted
together, until the cord is extended to 15 to 25 feet in length. It is
then rubbed perfectly smooth and free from knots, half dried, sulphured
twice, again stretched and sulphured, and lastly dried in a state of
tension. Clock-makers' cords are made of the smallest intestines in a
similar manner.
The best fine catgut is made at Venice or Rome, from the intestines of
thin, sinewy sheep. That made in England is formed from the fat sheep
killed for the shamble, and is, hence, inferior. Coarse catgut, for
turning lathes, &c., is made from the intestines of horses, cut into 4 or
5 strips, by forcing a ball furnished with projecting knives placed
cross-wise along them. These strips are next twisted, dried, and rubbed
smooth with fish skin. Gutta percha and vulcanised india rubber are now
applied to many of the purposes formerly exclusively occupied by catgut.
=CATHAR'TICS.= See PURGATIVES.
=CATHAR'TIN.= The purgative principle of senna, first noticed by Lassaigne
and Fenuelle. A strong aqueous infusion of senna leaves is evaporated to
the consistence of a syrup, out of contact with the air; this fluid
extract is then digested in alcohol or rectified spirit, and the
tincture, after filtration, is evaporated to dryness by a gentle heat.
_Prop., &c._ A reddish-coloured, uncrystallisable mass; having a peculiar
odour and a bitter, nauseous taste; freely soluble in both water and
alcohol, and strongly cathartic. Two or three grs. cause nausea, griping,
and purging. It has been proposed to employ it, combined with aromatics,
as a cathartic.
=CATH'ETERS.= Small tubes introduced into the bladder for the purpose of
drawing off its contents. They may be regarded as hollow bougies.
_Prep._ 1. A piece of smooth catgut, or steel wire, bent to the proper
shape, is coated with melted wax. When cold it is dipped repeatedly into
an ethereal solution of india rubber, until a sufficient thickness is
obtained, after which it is dried by a gentle heat, and then boiled in
water to melt out the wax, and to allow the catgut to be withdrawn. A
solution of india rubber in bisulphide of carbon is now generally employed
instead of an ethereal solution.