GELATIN  INSTEAD  OF  METAL  FOR  BOTTLE  CAPSULES.  251 
ored,  must  alone  be  used ;  any  name,  device,  band,  or  trade-mark 
may  be  first  affixed,  and  then  the  dipping  should  take  place. 
Colored  leather  can  be  employed,  as  in  some  of  the  samples.  I 
may  mention  that  generally  two  dippings  will  suffice  for  paper 
and  skin,  and  three  for  leather,  as  that  substance  absorbs  more ; 
but  it  depends  upon  the  strength  of  the  solution,  and  a  little 
practice  will  do  more  than  a  whole  written  volume  in  producing 
expertness.    For  the  opaque  capsule,  where  a  name  is  not  mate- 
rial, Russian  glue  will  answer  as  well  as  gelatine,  and  at  a  con- 
siderably less  cost.    Amongst  the  various  specimens  which  I 
have  brought,  there  is  one  with  aloes,  for  the  especial  patronage 
of  the  insects.    I  think  I  hear  some  one  say,  How  about  the 
cost  ?    To  this  I  am  not  quite  prepared  with  an  answer,  but  I 
do  not  think  it  could  equal  that  of  metal ;  something  less  than  a 
shilling  would  pay  for  all  the  gelatine  I  have  here  used,  say  60 
to  70  bottles.    I  think  another  inquires,  How  long  have  they 
been  done  ?    Many  in  the  early  part  of  December,  six  or  seven 
weeks,  and  these  appear  as  perfect  now  as  then.    I  must  just 
say  another  word  in  favor  of  gelatine.    When  the  bottle  is  to  be 
opened,  if  the  cork  has  been  made  short,  it  is  only  necessary  to 
cut  through  the  gelatine,  which  is  easily  done,  and  then  remove 
the  cork  in  the  usual  way :  no  pieces  will  fall  amongst  the  con- 
tents.   For  bottles  with  long  corks,  and  covered  with  any  of  the 
materials  mentioned,  cut  the  capsule  round  and  remove  it,  but 
it  cannot  be  used  again  for  the  same  or  any  other  bottle,  and  is 
thus,  with  a  proper  mark  or  label,  a  certain  and  perfect  protec- 
tion against  the  probability  of  the  bottle  being  refilled  with  a 
substitute  without  detection  ;  and,  when  dirty,  the  gelatine  cap- 
sule can  be  cleaned  with  a  sponge  and  a  little  water,  thus  effect- 
ing a  considerable  saving. 
I  have  thus  endeavored,  with  the  assistance  of  "  Temple  Bar," 
to  lay  before  you  a  subject  which,  I  believe,  may  be  advanta- 
geously made  use  of.  I  feel  that  I  have  not  thoroughly  ex- 
hausted it,  and  that  some  of  you,  more  ingenious  than  myself, 
will  be  able  to  work  it  out  more  perfectly,  and  then,  as  I  have 
done,  bring  your  results  to  a  future  evening  meeting. 
"Into  your  scrip  I  pour  my  little  store, 
And  as  I  give,  I  wish  the  little  more." 
— Lond.  Pharm.  Joum.,  March  1,  1866. 
