108 Report of Schimmel § Co. 1922. 



In the same article, a second process, devised by Gattefosse, is described for re- 

 covering essential oils from the distillation waters. The aqueous distillate passes in a 

 very fine spray a layer of rectified petroleum in a closed vessel about one-third full. 

 The water is fed from above, gives off its oil content to the hydrocarbon, separates at 

 the bottom, of the vessel and is siphoned off. This washing process is repeated several 

 times. The oil obtained after evaporating the solvent is not nearly of the same quality 

 as the oil resulting from direct distillation. 



Another process for recovering the essential oils suspected' in the distillation 

 waters has been patented by J. Amic, L. Roure, J. Roure, and P. Magiapan 1 ). The 

 water being separated from the oil in a receiver is conducted to the upper part of a 

 distillation-column filled with coke pieces where it meets the vapours ascending from 

 the still. The condensed liquid is siphoned off, while the vapours leaving the column 

 are cooled in a condenser and then conducted to the receiver for separation. 



As to the "water oils" of various plants, we refer to pp. 48, 50, 58 and 59 of this Report. 



Essential oils showing a tendency to resinify and to acquire a turpentiny odour 

 are said to keep for an infinite time after adding for each 500 gr. of oil 3 gr. of sodium 

 hydrogen sulphite 2 ). 



In France, a patent has been granted to Lautier Fils 3 ) for a process of manufacturing 

 pomades whereby the "chassis" an prepared mechanically for the enfleurage process, 

 i.e.. coated with fat and fed witjj flowers. The latter drop automatically from a hopper 

 on the greased "chassis" which pass the hopper on an endless belt. 



H. Schelenz 4 ) furnished a small contribution towards the history of odoriferous 

 and toilet preparations. Mankind has made use of these articles, more especially of 

 the odorous drugs, from the very beginning. The Bible already mentions these pre- 

 parations, without, however, giving credit in this respect to the achievements of the 

 ancient Indians, Persians, and Egyptians. In the course of time, one got acquainted 

 with the methods for obtaining the pure odoriferous substances and how to modify 

 the original ways of using them. The scented powders, bags, pomades and sticks 

 were substituted by products of distillation, either the essential oils proper, or to their 

 alcoholic solutions. In the 13 th century, for instance, we hear of a "Hungarian Water" 

 rosemary water) which was distilled from the strong-smelling rosemary at first with 

 water, later on with wine. The dispensaries of the Italian, later on also of the French 

 and German .monasteries, where the volatile oils were distilled already in the Middle 

 Ages, acquired in the course of time a high standing. In the 18 th century, the Carmelites 

 traded an u Eau des Carmes" essentially an aqueous distillate of balm (melissa) used 

 for medicinal purposes, and some time after, the Italians made known in Cologne the 

 Acqua della Regina. or "Eau de Cologne". This preparation is, in Schelenz' opinion, the 

 earliest specimen of an alcoholic solution of essential oils. 



, Bibliography. 



In Ullmann's u EnzyMopadie der technischen Chemie", vol. IX (1921), the odoriferous 

 bodies C'Riechstojfe"), are fully dealt with. The compilers, A. Hesse, A. Ellmer, and 

 R. Haarmann, after giving a short historical introduction (starting from the fundamental 



!) French. Pat. 521 713, July 3, 1920. As per CJiem. Zentralbl. 1921, IV. 1016. — 2 ) The Spatula 26, 10. As per 

 J'harm. Zentralh. 62 (1921), 462. — ») French Pat, 524595, Sept. 7, 1921. — *) Seifensieder-Ztg. 48 (1921), 797. 



