Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-11-02
ABOUT ALKALIEs AND ACIDS.

ABOUT ALAALIES AND ACIDS
These two words occur SO frequently in
every day life, that a few explanations Of
them will be acceptable to the unscientiic
reader. -ALKALIEs. Potash and Soda are
familiar examples of adtahes When pure
they have strong caustic or burning taste.
They dissolve readily Ia water, and also
unite with oil or grease. Water and oil will
not unite together, but put some alkaG with
them and this will take hold Of each and
bring them together, as in making soap.
The strongest and most common alkalies
are Potash, Soda, and Ammonia or Harts-
horn Ammonia is a powerful alkali, but
as we usually see it, it is dissolved in large
amount of water There are other alkalies
and many alkaloids. that is vegetable, sub
stances that have alkaline properties, such as
quina, morphia, strychnia, etc. Then there
are alkaline earths, as they are called. Lime
is one of these, which wheH newly burned,
is very caustic Magnesia is another Lime
and magnesia, and especially lime, are use
full in many cases as alkalies. As an alkali
is often wanted, sometimes in haste to neu-
tralize an acid, as explained below, the I'M
scientific reader will remember the five most
common alkaline substances, by the initials
PSALM, standing for Potash, Soda, A5a-
a1oaia, Lime, HagResia.
AoIDs.-T word acid means som, and
most of the common acids are very sour to
the taste Ascetic acid, or vinegar, when
pure is intensely sour and would destroy
the fesh but good strong vinegar contains
only S or parts acid dissolved in 100 parts
of water Sulphric acid, commonly called
"oil of Yitrol, y is one of the strong acids.
A drop of this in pint Of water will make
it taste sour. Nitric acid, called acqua-for
tbs, is another of the strong acids. So is
bydro-chloric acid, commonly called
muriatic acid, or spirit of salt Then we
have citric acid, the sour Of lemon juice
malic acid, the sour of apple juice tartaric
acid, the sour in grapes and some Gther
fruits Tactic acid, the sour formed in milk,
ETC., as common examples. We generally
say when anything becomes sour, that it is
ascid-i-fed Almost all rcids when strong,
are injurious to the flesh, and poisonous if
swallowed, but when greatly diluted with
water, they are frequently tonic or strength
ening. Some fruits are for this reason often
useful, and generally healthful, if well
mashed or masticated so as to be easily
digested. Vinegar is much used with
some kinds of food to aid in their Digestion
but too much of it Injuries and weakens the
stomach, and it is not advisable for constant
-Carbonic acid is very abundant, but
we never see it alone, because when not com
bined with something else, ii always takes a
gas or air-like form. 1t is produced wher-
ever any vegetable substances, as coal, wood
oil, etc, are burned, Ii is this acia that
bubbles up in soda water, and gives it a
sourish taste. Itis carbonic acid that fills
the little interstices or air-holes that make
bread, cake, batter, etc., light. 1t unites
Withpotash to form saleratus, with lime to
make limestone, chalk, or marble.
TheaciIs and dLtdlies unite together and
usually destroy each others acrid proper
ties, forRing what are termed salts. Thus
strong sulphric acid Toll of vitroB unites
with the powerfully caustic soda, and forms
the mild compound known as Glauber salts
(sulphrate of soda. So also when this pow
Q rful oil of vitrol which eats into the flesh
and even chars wood, is united with the in
tensely caustic fresh lime, the two neutral
ize each others properties, and form the
mild, tasteless sulphrate Of lime, Gypsum
or Plaster, which we sow on land, and use
In making casts, cornices and ornaments on
plastered walls, etc. Acqua forts nitric
acid, as powerful as it is to destroy the
flesh, and to dissolve metals, when united
with caustic lime, make q compound as mild
as plaster, and when nnited with potash
makes salpetre. Soda put in acid OF soured
batter neutralizes the acid formed One
practical lesson to be learned from the above
is, that when trouble results from the acci-
dental or over use ofeither an acid or alkali,
it is to be counteracted by applying the
other. For example, if an acid is acciden.
tally swallowed, follow it as quickly as posi-
bic with some alkali, las a weak solution OF
potash or soda, or lime water. Astrong so
luton of soap swallowed freely, is the best
common remdy. The effects of potash,
soda, lime, strong soap, etc, upon tho
hands, are neutralized by weak wash oi
any acid, as acetic acid Vinegar Acid
spilled upon the the garments should BE-
quickly neutralized with potash soda. am.
monia, or lime water