CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTION. 



ALTHOUGH casein, in the form of cheese, has from time 

 immemorial played an important part in the dietary of the 

 human race, and has been produced in very large quantities, 

 its technical utilisation was almost entirely neglected. Its 

 properties of dissolving in alkaline liquids and forming, in this 

 condition, a good mucilage have long been known ; but this 

 was all, and it is only within the last few years that any ex- 

 tensive technical application of casein has occurred. 



Casein is used as a paint, as a dressing for textiles, a 

 cement and mucilage, in the production of plastic masses, for 

 sizing paper, and various other purposes. Since close atten- 

 tion has been bestowed on the insolubilising action of formalde- 

 hyde on casein, a whole series of new uses has been discovered 

 for the article, which is undoubtedly destined to play a very 

 important part in technology. Furthermore, its original appli- 

 cation as a foodstuff has not been lost sight of; its high 

 nutritive value to man and its assimilability have led to the 

 preparation of a number of artificial foods which are now 

 extensively consumed. Also, in cases where, owing to lack 

 of means of communication, milk cannot be sent to large 

 centres of population for consumption, it is now converted into 

 butter and casein, the latter being disposed of for technical 

 purposes. 



In America considerable importance is attached to the 

 manufacture and treatment of casein. The Casein Company 



of America, which enjoyed a monopoly of the manufacture and 



1 



