36 



CASEIN. 



used, being free from its objectionable qualities, inflammability 

 and so forth. 



Coatings of casein may also be applied to wall paper, 

 improving its durability and making it washable. 



It is, however, neither essential nor desirable that this 

 coating should be applied when the paper is being made, 

 since the continuity of the coating would, in that case, suffer 

 when the paper was being cut and hung. It is therefore 

 preferable to apply the coating when the paper is on the 

 walls ; and experience has shown that this can be done with 

 ease and perfect success. 



A solution of casein and formaldehyde is also suitable as 

 a coating for smooth brickwork, in all cases where a water- 

 proof and washable coating is desired. The varnish paints 

 and enamel paints now used for this purpose are more 

 troublesome, dearer, and have the great drawback of con- 

 tinuing to smell for a long time. On the other hand, casein 

 varnish is cheap, easily applied, loses all smell in a few hours, 

 and also forms an excellent disinfectant. This is certainly a 

 valuable property for hospitals, barracks, dormitories, rooms, 

 etc. 



The insoluble compound of casein and formaldehyde can 

 also be obtained in large blocks ; and by means of a patent 

 process, owned by the Vereinigte Gummiwaaren Fabriken 

 Harburg-Wien (formerly Menier & Reithoffer), it is prepared 

 in solid, horny plates and bars, forming a perfect substitute 

 for ivory, ebony, horn, tortoiseshell, celluloid, coral, etc. 

 The inventor has given the name " galalith " to this product. 



The properties of galalith are such as to ensure it a great 

 future. It is inodorous and uninflammable, thus possessing, 

 as already mentioned, a great advantage over celluloid. It 

 can be dyed, and the crude article can be bent, blocked and 

 stamped while warm, and retains its form perfectly when 

 cooled. It does not attack metals, and is one of the best 



