126 CASEIN. 



have to be frequently washed, e.g., undeiiinen, clothing, etc. 

 At the same time the fabric retains its softness and perme- 

 ability to air, and can be washed with soap, benzine, etc., 

 without endangering its waterproof properties. The pre- 

 paration consists of a mixture of about 4 parts of casein 

 and 20 of water, stirred up until of about the consistency 

 of cream. To this is gradually added about J^ part of lime 

 slaked to powder, which furnishes a greasy fluid mass. At 

 the same time 2 parts of neutral soap are dissolved in about 

 24 of water and mixed with the casein solution. The fabric- 

 is impregnated with this mixture, so as to about double its 

 original weight, and is then entered in a solution of alu- 

 minium acetate at about 120 to 140 F., which renders 

 the casein insoluble and also forms with the alkaline soap 

 an insoluble aluminium margarate. Finally, after having 

 entered the fabric in nearly boiling water, it is dried and 

 ironed. 



LOADING SILK. 



According to a patent granted to the Chemische Fabrik 

 auf Aktien in Berlin, the silk is repeatedly soaked in a solu- 

 tion of casein or size, which may also contain an addition of 

 metallic salts. By afterwards exposing the fabric to the 

 action of formaldehyde, its weight may be increased in this 

 way by 30 to 50 per cent., without metallic adjuncts. At 

 the same time the gloss and scroop of the silk' are improved 

 and the fibre is strengthened. 



THREADS, BLOCKS, PLATES, ETC., OF CASEIN. 



According to Timpe, casein can be converted into threads 

 (like artificial silk), blocks, plates, etc., by treatment in the 

 following manner. When an alkaline solution of casein or para- 

 casein is treated with acetone and boiled it separates into two 

 portions : one soluble, and the other forming a flocculent white 



