OL'Servations on the Processes cif Taimhigi 83 



degree of putrefaction is induced, for the purpose of en- 

 abling the hair to be readily separated; but m general this. 

 effect is produced bv a mixture of lime and water. 



The process bv putrefaction is so simple as to require no 

 comment : the epidermis is loosened by it, and the cellular 

 substance that constitutes the bulb of the hair softened in 

 such a manner that it may be easily separated from the cutis 

 or true skin. 



When lime is employed, it has been generally supposed 

 that it acts by destroying the epidermis, so as to render it 

 soluble in water. Ihis, however, does not appear to be the 

 case : I exposed to two ounces of lime water four grains of 

 epidermis, separated from cow skinj and which had been 

 freed from loose moisture by blotting paper; but, after five 

 days, it appeared rather of laiger volume than before ; and 

 instead of having lost anV weight, I found that it had gained 

 veiy nearly half a grain. 



The epidermis has been supposed to consist of coagulated 

 albumen. In comparing its properties with those of the 

 coagulated white of the egg, there was a striking analogy 

 pereci\cd between them : both were soluble in the caustic 

 alkalies bv long exposure, and were acted upon by the acids^ 



In examining the circumstance of the action of hme 

 ^vatcr, a;:d of milk of lime, upon skin, I have always ob- 

 served that the cuticle is rendered extremely loose and friable 

 after this action : from which it is probably that it combines 

 with the lime, so as to form an insoluble compound. This 

 inay be observed indeed in washing the hands with lime 

 water : the cuticle becomes extremely rough and dry ; 

 whereas, after the action of weak alkaline solutions, which 

 form soluble compounds with it, it is found smooth. 



Not only the epidermis, but likewise the soft matter at 

 the extremity of the hair, is acted upon by lime; and this 

 effect must tend considerably to facilitate tlie process of 

 depilation. Likc<\vise the lat and oily matter adhering to 

 the skin form sapona(?eous compounds wil'^ tlie earth, 

 and these compounds are removeil with other extraneous 

 matter, before the skins are submitted to any new chemical 

 agents. 



It has been proposed to use the residuum of the tanning 

 lixivium, or the exhausted ooze, for the purposes of depila- 

 tion ; but this liquor seems to contain no substances capa- 

 ble of acting upon the epidermis, or of loosening the hair; 

 and v.hen skin is depilated by being exposed to it, the effect 

 must really be owin^ to incipient puirei'actiyu. 



I' i: Skins, 



