Experimental and Applied 33 



neglect of the chemical properties of the celluloses on the one 

 hand, and the cleansing agents employed on the other. This, 

 again, is a subject opened up in definite directions of inquiry 

 by the matter of this treatise, and it is to be hoped that the 

 chemical history of a shirt or tablecloth may come to be 

 written at no distant period, and with special attention to 

 those conditions which make for longevity. 



Of the uses of vegetable textiles in their unbleached or 

 partially bleached conditions there is little to be said from the 

 chemical side. It should be remembered that half-bleaching 

 treatments are fraught with some danger, owing to the chemical 

 changes (oxidation or chlorination) in the residual non-cellu- 

 lose constituents ; and to minimise these dangers a final treat- 

 ment with sulphite or bisulphite of soda is to be recommended. 

 The authors have in mind not only the facts in connection 

 with jute bleaching mentioned on p. 286, but have been called 

 in to adjudicate upon damages occurring in the bleaching 

 ' out ' of flax goods woven with creamed or half- bleached yarns. 

 These have been frequently found to retain substantial quan- 

 tities of ' chlorine ' (bleaching powder), and it is quite re- 

 markable the length of time of persistence of these residues of 

 hypochlorites in contact with flax goods. Their presence 

 must involve a gradual oxidation of the entire fibre-substance, 

 which together with the acidity of the oxidised non-cellulose 

 effects a steady disintegration of the fabric. So long indeed as 

 goods are treated altogether without reference to the molecular 

 results of the treatments, sound practice is the result of tra- 

 dition and correct intuitions, and the chances are far too 

 numerous in favour of malpractice. If at any time there 

 should be an extensive exposure of the secrets of the ' damage 

 room,' it might occasion wonder that a stronger case should 

 not have been made out for the scientific regulation of these 

 industries. 



