Notes on Glycerine. 641 
render them unfit for use. Mr. Payne, whose name has 
already been mentioned in this article asa leading authority 
on glycerine, has recently turned his attention to this point 
and has succeeded in discovering a superior method of in- 
corporating glycerine with soap. One-half of the prepara- 
tion thus produced, and to which the name of “ Solidified 
Glycerine” has been given, consists of pure glycerine; it is 
perfectly free from excess of alkali,and from cocoa-nut oil, 
and possesses to a marked extent all the properties of gly- 
cerine itself, when applied to the skin. It is, consequently, 
very valuable in the treatment of many cutaneous diseases, 
chaps, chilblains, and the bites of different insects, such as 
mosquitoes ; and if used regularly, instead of ordinary soap, 
it keeps the skin smooth, supple, and healthy. 
The use of glycerine is also rapidly on the increase in 
connection with many other branches of industry. As an 
example of this I may mention that the silk and some of 
the woollen dyers employ glycerine instead of methylated 
spirit as formerly, to dissolve out the solid aniline dyes and 
to “slow” the bath. The exact mode in which this is done 
is kept secret—a tolerably good proof of itself that the use 
of glycerine is an improvement over other methods. 
As the properties of glycerine come to be more generally 
known and recognised, it will undoubtedly be very widely 
adopted in many more manufacturing processes than at 
present. There is no article with which I am acquainted 
which has more rapidly made its way into use. Only 
twelve years have elapsed since it was first prepared on a 
large scale in a state of purity. On this point some memo- 
randa, with which have I been favoured by a gentleman of 
high chemical standing, are interesting. In January, 1855, 
specimens of glycerine at the following specific gravities 
and prices were obtained for examination :— 
Mlorson’s’'“ pure” glycerine, sp. er.°1'18, price 2s. 6d. 
per lb.; Morson’s “common,” sp. gr. 1°17, Is. 3d. per lb. ; 
Bell & Co.’s “ pure,” sp. gr. 1°21, 11s. 3d. per half-pint bottle ; 
Apothecaries’ Hall, sp. gr. 1:20, 5s. per lb. 
Within three months from this date, viz., in April, 1855, 
Price's Company, through their improved method of manu- 
facture, were able to sell chemically pure glycerine of 
sp. gr. 1°25 at 4s. the pound, with a reduction of 20 per cent. 
to large buyers. Until the introduction of Price’s glycerine 
it was an impossibility to obtain chemically pure glycerine 
anywhere, and the various samples enumerated above were 
very foetid and impure. 
