JULY 15, 1882. gCIENTIFIC AMERICAN SUPPLEMENT, No. 341.
5445
THE MANUFACTURE OF THE COAL-TAR D YES.
PREPARATION OF NITROTOLUOLS AND TOLUIDINS.
Toluol is the second ccmpound in the benzol series, boils
at 1100 to 111", and forms, on treat ing with nitric acid, nitro
compounds similar to that obtained from benzol. There
are, however, two varieties, and tbest> produce on reduc­
UOD, by tbe same process as tbat describ� for anilin, two
toluidins.
Nit-roUiluols.-Tbe manufacture of tbese compounds is
effected in the apparatus described for nitrobenzol, and is a
process requiring great care and attention, since the temper­
ature at wllich the combustion of tbe acid and toluol is
effected determines the relative quantities of solid and liquid
nitrotoluols, and consequently the isomerie toluidins. When
toluol is treated with nitric acid botb modifications of nitro­
toluol are always produced. But to obtain a larger propor­
tion of tbe solid variety, M. Cbarles Girard recommends the
use of fuming nitric acid, as free as possible from nitrous
acid, and the combination must be effected at a temperature
as low as possible. To produce the liquid variety, on the
other hand, a mixture of nitric and sulpburic acid similaI'
to that already described for the nitrification of benzol is
required, and the temperature allowed to rise until t.he
mixture in tbe apparatns is nicely warmed. The decompo­
sition wbich takes place during the above process is repre­
sented by the following formula :
C,H. + HNO. = C,H,NO. + H.O
Toluol and nitrie acid produee nitrotoluol and water.
The Tol uidins, corresponding to the two lIitrotoluols known
as solid and pseudo-toluidin, are produced by the reduction
of the nitrotoluols with iron and hvdrocbloric acid in
the same stil1s as those used for the preparation of anilin,
and also in a similaI' manner to that described under anilin.
Tbe following formula shows the decomposition wllich takes
place on reducing nitrotoluol:
C,H,NO. + H.O + Fe, = C ,H.N + Fe,O.
Nitrotoluol ..nd water and iron prodnee toluidin and ferrie oxide.
When the mixed toluidins have· been removed from the
resirtue in tlle stills it is necessary to separate the two modi­
fications, and to this end De Laire and Vogt give tbe fol­
lowing process: There is added sulphuric acid sufficient to
neut.ralize tbe solid variety, after which tbe wbole is boiled
and tbe pseudo-toluidin separated from the sulplJate of
t.oluidin by distillation with steam, the {'seudo-toluidin being
carried over mechanically suspended 10 tbe vapors. Tbe
seven 01' eigbt per cent. of the solid always accompanying
tbe pseudo-toludiu is saturated witb sulphuric acid, and the
mixture again rectified to obtain a pure product. To libe­
rate tlle base combined with the sulphuric acid it is, of course,
necessary to use an alkali, lime being tbe least expensive
kind.
MAGENTA, OR ROSANILIN HYDROCHLORATE.
Rosan�?in Acetate and Rosanilin, etc.-There are two meth­
ods by wbich this color is produced, the one being by oxidiz­
ing a mixture of anilin and toluidin, known generally as
anilin 3i> per cent. and 40 per cent., by means of arsenic
acid. This is the process usually adopted in England.
The other a process first proposed by M. Coupier, a.nd. gen­
erally employed on the Continent, in certain parts of which
the use of arsenic is prohibited by lnw. It must be borne in
mind tbat, although arsenic is u�ed in this country f o r the
manufacture of this beautiful dye, tllat poisonous compound
is thoroughly removed berore the color is sent into the mar­
ket.
Arsenic Acid is produced from tOO lower oxide of arsenic,
known as white arsenic (arsenious acid), by the addition of
oxygen. This is effected by means of nitric acid, and
sbould be properly carried out in an economical manner
by forming nitrate of soda to be used in tbe manufacture of
azo colors, or reoxidizing the nitrous acid into n itric acid.
To effect this a quantity of nitric acid is poured into a
large stone cistern and the wbite arsenic gradually added
Tbe arsenious acid is oxidized into arsenic acid, and nitrous
acid is liberated. Tbis is conducted into a tower, and Old­
dized by the oxygen of the atmosphere into nitric acid; or
better, this gas, after washing by water, is absorbed in a soda
solution, to produce nitrate of soda. This is the better
plan, when this substance is required to produce the azo
colors. Geoerally, whell the manufacture of nitrate is
required, the wbole of tbe arsenic to be oxidized at one time
is tbrown into the cistern, and tbe nitric acid gently run on
to it. As we have already said, tbis is the more economical
plan. Tbe tank where the operation is carried on is covered
with a stone lid, and the siphon pipe used to run the nitric
acid from tbe bottles is admitted tbrougb a small bole in the
lid, and the nitrous gas evolved durin/l tbe decomposition is
drawn tbrougb several of Wolfe's bottles containing water
to dissolve tlle nitric acid, which always contaminates tlle
nitrous gas, and then tbrougb a solution of soda by a prop­
erly constructed air pump. To 400 pounds of white arseOlC
there is consumed about 300 pounds of nitric acid. In prac­
tice an excess of white arsenic is always used, to insure the
absence of nitric acid, and the thorough completion
of the process is obtained by boiling tbe mass equally by free
steam.
Magenta.-We shall first discuss the plan usually adopted
in tbis country for the manufacture of this color, i. e., by
oxidation of 30 per cent. or 40 cent. anilin, by means of
arsenic acid. To effect tbis there is in troduce<! into a
properly constructed still 100 parts of the anilin oi! and 158
parts of arsenic acid solution, baving a specific gravity of
1'84, equal to 660 B., or 1680 T. Thismixture is tben heated,
the heat being at first gently applied, in ol'der tbat boiling
over may be avoided, until a temperature of about 2000 C.
is indieated by the thermometer, and maintained at that
degree until the formation of the color ia complete. The
cast-iron still, commonly called the melt pot, in which the
operation is performed, IS Met on a fireplace constructed with
an arcb, so tbat it is protected from the direct beat of the
tire, which is Hable to burn the melt. A stilI is a cast-iron
boiler, with a round bottom, having a neck through which
tbe melt can be run out when finisbed. They are, in fact,
similar in shape to ordinary domestic boilers used for laundry
purposes, but· much larger and of greater thickness. The
tlange round the top is wider, so tbat a lid may be fastened
on witb nuts and screws. Through tbe center of the !id a
shaft passes, and is made steam-tight by means of a stuffing­
box packed with asbestos. At tbe lower end of tbis shaft,
and at an angle of about 45·, are a$'itators of such a sbape
that tlley fit within a quarter of an lOch of tlle still bottom.
Tllis shaft stands on a footstep at the center of the pan.
ThE're is a manhole. where tbe cbarge can be introduced, and
at some convenient point tllere is a smaU hole, in which a pipe
is screwed. Tbe bottom end is elosed, and dips into the
melt. A little oi! 01' paraffin wax can be put in tbis, and a
thermometer. A large pipe is also attached to the lid (see
Fig. 1), and connected with a condensing coil. To find when
the formation of the color is finished a small sampie is drawn
off through a sm all tap, situated at some convenient point
near the bottom. This on cooling should be brittle, and
exhibit a fine bronzy appearance. Tlle finish is also indi­
cated by the amount of anilin and water stilled off,
condensed in the coil, and collected in proper receivers,
wbich amounts together to about one-llalf by volume of the
anilin put into tbe still. Having ascertained t.hat tbe color is
properly finished, the outlet, wbich is stopped during the
process witb a plug or treacle trap, is openE'd, and tbe 1I0t
melt run into sheet iroll trays, 01' sometimes a sballow pit
made in the tloor, with the hottom fta�ged. Previous to
receiving the melt tbis pit is spriokled with whiting, tf)
facilitate its removal. After it has grown cold the mass is
broken up for extracting tbe color. Tbe extraction may
be accomplished by two methods. In one soda crystals are
used, and in the other whiting ( carbonate of lime). In tlle
former case the broken melt or crude c olor is thrown into
an iron pan, along with sufficient soda crystals to neutralize
the arsenic, and a quantity of water. This pan is either
jacketed or heated with a good coil laid on the bottom. The
steam is then turned on, aud the wbole tboroughly boiled for
boUl's to insure the removal of the arseni('. By tbis 1l1ean�
tbere is formed arsenite and arseniate of soda, wbile the color
remains in an insoluble state, the arsenical li quor, drained
from tbe color und conpentrated by evaporation until a sam­
pIe. on cooling, solidMi�s, bas a pmkish color, and is eitber
sold in this state 01' first roasted to remove tbe color. Tllis
salt is largely employed in certain calico-printing operations.
Tlle insoluble color is now put into an extractor, a large
cast iron pan, fitted with agitators, and baving a steam pipe
attached, by which the contents may be boiled with free
steam, along with a large quantity ot water; and to form the
color into a soluble salt a Iittle arsenic acid solution, such
as is put into the melt-pan, is added. After the contents of
this extractor have been weil boiled for two hours, the steam
is stopped and the liquor allowed to rest for some time, to
allow tbe insoluble matters to subside. Tbe solution of color
is then run off and filtered througb fine brown calico, so t.hat
any insoluhle matter which may stm remain suspended is
arrested. The elear solution i s collected in large vats, and
tbe color precipitated by adding a large excess of salt. Tbis
precipitate consists of rosanilin bydrocblorate. and is formed
uya double decomposition between tbe common satt (sodium
clJloride) and the arseniate of rosanilin, the arsenic alld
chlorine exchanging positions. The residue remaining in
the extractor is repeatedly boHed, to remove aU the soluble
color, and the liquors treated with salt in tbe same way as
tbe first. When the soluble portions lIave been removed the
insoluble part is kept for further treatment, to be presentTy
FIG. 1.
described, since it contains otber coloring matters to be sllb­
sequently turned to account. To extract the rosanilin salt,
by using whiting 01' chalk, the broken melt is thrown into
the extracting apparatus, steam tUl'oed in, and boiling com­
menced.· The whiting is added by small portions at a time,
until tbe arsenic acids ru'e neutralized. Tbis point is easily
discovered by the ceasing of the frotbing, which always
takes place wbile free acids exist in tbe solution.
After a tborougb boiling the liquor is allowed to rest,
and is tben filtered into tbe salting vats and treated as
described above. Sometimes tbe extraction is carried on in
closed vessels, under a pressure of about 60 pounds 01' 80
pounds per square incb, and at a tem perature sometlling
like 140°. The advantage gained by this is that a batch
of colpr call be exhausted with less water than if tbe open
pan is used. Tlte time occupied is also less. lt is economical
with such an apparatus to have the outlet pipe of the boiler
attacbed to a filter press, and force the color through by the
pressure used for tbe extraction. By this means the liquor
IS delivered into thc salting vats, nearly boiling bot. The
insoluhle matters in the press can be readily and quickly
washed wi th boiling water, and tbe residue made milch d rier
than when the ordinary filter is employed. We had almost
forgotten to point out that tbe closed extractor is equally
suitable to tbe treatment of tbe magenta (crude) base formed
when tbe melt is treated with soda to remove tbe arsenic,
and would be very efficient if used for this purpose.-Tex­
&?e Manujacturer.
=====
DETERMINATION OF SUGAR WITH FEHLING'S
LIQUID.
The author proposes the following method for ascertain­
ing i f the reduction of the copper is complete: 'l'here
are placed upon each other two fragments of white
filter paper. Upon the upper fragment there is placed,
with the stirring rod, a drop of the boiling mixture of
Fehling's liquid and of the saccharine solution, holding
cuprous oxide in suspen�ion. The paper acts as a filter,
and only tbe copper in solution , aod conHequently not
reduced, arrives on the lower par.er. Upon tOO drop thus
filtered there is laid a drop of a dllute solution of potassium
ferrocyanide, and the paper is dried over a spirit-Iamp. If
there I S an appreciable quantity of copper, tbe spot, on dry­
ing is surrounded with a rose-colored halo. If there is a
mere trace, the characteristic rose tint appears on moisten­
ing the spot with a drop of acetic acid. If tbe co{'per is
entirely reduced, heat and the application of acetlC acid
produce a blue spot, due to the decomposition of the ferro­
cyanide.-E. Bqj,'ret. haviug been at
© 1882 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN.INC.
NERVE VIBRATION AH A THERAPEUTIC AGENT.
By J. MORTlliER-GRANVILLE. M.D.
ENLARGED experience in nerve vibration as a means or
method of treatlOg disease has confirmed my belief in its
value, and I bave no longer any hesitation in recommending
its adoption by the profession. I do this with a full sense
of the responsibility which necessarily attacbes to tbe pro­
pounder of any strange doctrine in medicine, sucb as that
which the tbeory of nerve vibration, undoubtedly. presup­
po�es aod implies; and in an especial �ense to tbe introducer
of a new tberapeutic agent. Tbe responsibilily of strongly
urging a recourse to nerve vibration, I am now fuHy pre­
pared to accept.. I commenced ·the invesligation of nervous
phenomena, first in connection with the various forms and
causes of "pain," more than twenty years ago, and tuis
metbod, which hasbeen mentioned rather than recommended
by me on severai occasiolls during the last few years, is the
outcome of a lQng and careful series of experiments. I ha ve
nnw employed it in a very c onsiderable number of cases,
differing widely in their nature and cbaracteristics, and
altbougu I have had many failures-mainly, as I believe,
from errors in diagnosis and mismanagement in tbe ap[J!ica·
tion of the treatment-the net result bas been such as to
pi ace beyond reasonable question the fact tbat in precisely
applied mecbanical vibration of nerves and nerve centers,
we bave a means of eliciting function snd stimulating
nutrition wbich surpasses for directness and rapidity of
action any otber system or metbod extant. If tbis sbould
seem to be an over-statement of tbe facts, it must he borne in
mind that it is made in a medical journal, and with the
knowledge tllat tbe profession will soon be able to verify or
disprove the accuT!ley of my assertions.
I do not propose to publish my cases immediately, because
sufficient ti me has not yet elapsed since the occurrence of
what I conceive to have been "cures," to show that they
merited that description. At the same time, altbough as I
have said, there are many obvious failure� in my re('ord of
cases treated in this manner, the benetits which seem to have
accrued from its adoption are so marked tbat I do not feel
justified in longer delaying the step by which ·1 place the
means of forming a judgment on my metbod in tbe bands
of tlle profession . M r.1!�rederic Weiss, of tbe firm of Messrs.
Weiss & Sons, bas greatly aided me in producing, and will
shortly be able to supply to members of the profession-I
bope exclusiveJg-a very satisfactory perculeur worked hy
electricity. I must IIcknowledge my indebtedness to Dr.
George Balfour, of. Edinburgh, for the recommelldation to
use elect.ricityas a motive power. Mydeeply regretted friend,
the late Mr. Donald Napier, advised me to employ tllis agent
some five years ago, but I was then reluctant to do so, lest it
might be suppose d tbat my process was in some way a
modification of tbe use of electricity. It sbould, therefore,
be understood tbat no current passes tbrougb the bammer of
my instrument. Tbe patient is nnt in tue circuit. Tilis
force ia, boweVtlf, more convenient for su stained use titan
that ohtained fröm tbe clock spring in my mechanical per­
cutellr. Messrs. Weiss & Sons bave also a clockwork
apparatus wllicb bas been made under my supervi�ion, and
wbicb renders practicahle wbat tbe Frencb instruments bave
not, witil a few exceptions, bi tberto enabled me to accom­
plish. I will now briefty state tlle pdnciples of the
treatment, and leave it in the bands of the profession to give
it a triaL
In the treatment of neuralgia, I beHeve percussion acts
simply by interrupting a morbirl series of vibrations, and
substituting for it anotber series which is not morbirl. Its
success is by no means certain; but it deserve8 a trial, and
particularly in cases whicil would otherwise be treated by
nerve stretcbing. When a nerve is stretched. it is for a. time,
at least, prevented from vibrating. When it is mechanical!y
vibrated by percussion, it is compelled to fnll into a new
rbytbm by the pbysical law of harmonies and discords.
There are several modes of procedure. Tbe pprcuteur may
be a plied over the seat of pain witb varying force und Rpeetl
r
unti alleviation of t!Je trouble is produced; 01' tbe percussion
may be made higher up in the trunk of the nerve, over the
center, or at a more distant point in the periphery. lf t lJe�e
methods fail, an attempt may be made to act upon tlle real.
or suppose<!, seat of the pain indirect1y through some ütller
set of nerv· es. If success sbould not attend either of· these
modes of procedure, tbe irritation which causes the pain
will probably be found to be retlected from some remote
seat of disturhance, as in the case of pains in tbe beels from
piles; and tbis seat of the exmting cause ma)' generaHy be
discovered by tbe physiological anatomist wbo will take the
trouble to run over and exbau�t the series of probabilities.
The plan I suggest is, of course, far more exacting tban the
time bonored expedient of givi.ng an anodyne; but relieting
and curing pain are two totally different proceeses, and it is
only with the lalter I have any concern.
For tbe rousing of torpid nerve centers and eliciting
function from the several organs of tbe body, I believe nerve
vi bration to he of the biguest possible val ue. Tbe recognized
topography of the centers may serve as a rough guide for
tlle application of the percuteur; but aa it is essential tbat
the particular nerve energizing tue organ should he aC!ted
upon, and, as p recisely as posAible that onlg, the operator
will need to tax his knowledge of the nervous system in
every case specifically. In a large proportion of instances
the organ will bave to be approached by a circuitous path,
which can only be discovered by experiment in tile indi­
vidual case under treatment; and the search for a way of
reuching it must be made with a practical knowledge of
the wboie of its nervous connections. It sbould never he
fOl'gotten that the therape'ltic agent is mechanicsl nerve
vibration; and unless tbe nerve we want to stimulate is
actuallytb.rown into vibration it will not he excited to action.
Every organ of the body, from the liver to tbe testiele, mar,
in the absence of disabling organic disease, be made to
perform its proper function by exciting the nerve, which
supplies it witb energy, by mechanical vibration. In this
way I have seen the liver unloaded, and what seemed to be
inveterate torpidity of the intestines remedip.d, in a few suc­
cessive vibrations. I have now under treatment the case of
a child, wbo was six weeks ago to all appearance an idiot;
but who has already developed so mucb cerebral activity
and gro wing intelligence uuder tbe iutluence of specitic
center !tnd nerve vibration, tbat I entertain tbe strongest
bope of lIis ultimate awakening, and a fair approacb to the
normal state. A surprising amount of success bas attended
percussion in cases of obstinate, an'd wbat was supposed to
he irremediable, deafness. In a certain cluss uf cases tbe
hearing seems to ha ve been recovered by arousing the audi­
tory center. In anotber class of instances of bellefit derived ,
I believe this hlls been due to the re establishing of the
mobility of the ossiculre by mechanical vibration at a very
bigh speed, the tonicity of the muscular übers attacbed
tbe same time restored.