Chemistry as Applied to the Fine Arts (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1837. Excerpt: ... ANIMAL CHEMISTRY. Animal Chemistry relates to the chemical examination of the various products obtained from animal matter. Animal substances, like those of the vegetable kingdom, present several proximate principles, consisting of the elements carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen, the latter element being more frequently present, and in greater quantity, than those of the former class. This element is said to induce, in animal matters, a proneness to decomposition, during which change, the alkali ammonia is always produced, by the union of this element with a portion of the hydrogen. See Ammonia. When animal matters are exposed to the action of the atmosphere in a humid state, at any temperature above that which would convert the liquids into solids by freezing, decomposition rapidly ensues; the several elements composing the mass are liberated, and at the moment of their liberation, unite together in different proportions, forming new compounds. Several substances, by combining with animal matter, prevent this decomposition, hence they are called anti-putrefactives, the principal of which are common salt, alcohol, vinegar, charcoal, sugar, creosote, &c. &c. The proximate principles of the animal kingdom are numerous, and will be examined as they occur, under the various matters affording them. The more obvious and better known properties of the various substances constituting the animal structure, may be enumerated under the following heads: --Bones and Teeth. Muscle. Cartilage. Fat. Skin. Blood, Urine, and other liquids. Shell, Horn, Hair, and Feathers. Colouring matter. We therefore propose to examine these several compounds, as constituting the structure of the animal kingdom. Bone. The solid frame work of man and other quadrupeds, consists principa..