90 / 230
90
THE
COMPLETE
PRACTICAL
DISTILLER.
means
a
large
proportion,
both
of
oil
and
phlegm,
will
remain
in
the
body.
But
if,
after
this
operation,
the
spirit
should
be
found
to
have
too
much
of
essential
oil,
it
must
be
let
down
with
fair
water,
and
gently
distilled
;
by
this
it
may
be
brought
to
any
degree
of
purity.
The
redundant
oil
may,
however,
be
separated
from
proof
spirit,
&c.
by
the
method
already
proposed,
especially
if
it
be
previously
nitrated
through
paper,
thick
flannel,
sand,
stone,
&c.
placing
at
the
bottom
of
each
some
cotton-wool,
for
ab-
sorbing
the
oil
that escapes
the
filter.
But
the
slowness
of
this
operation
has
caused
many
distillers
to
substitute
caustic
alkalies,
which
only
destroy
the
natural
flavour
of
the
spirit.
In
fact,
almost
every
distiller
pretends
to
have
some
secret
nostrum
for
rectifying
his
spirits;
however, they
are
all
reducible
to
three,
namely
:
by
fixed
alkaline
salts,
by
acid
spirits
mixed
with
alkaline
salts,
and
by
saline
bodies
and
flavouring
additions.
Some
distillers
use
quicklime
in
rectifying
their
malt
spirit,
which
cleanses
it
considerably
;
but
if
chalk,
calcined
and
well-purified
animal
bones,
were
substituted
for
quicklime,
the
spirit
would
have
a
less
alkaline
or
nitrous
flavour,
and
conse-
quently
the
flavouring
ingredients
might
be
added
to
it
with
more
success
than
by
the
other
methods.
Neutral
salts
and
soluble
tartar
might
also
be used
;
but
fine
dry
sugar
seems
best
adapted
for
the
purpose
of
rectifying
these
spirits,
as
it
readily
unites
with
the
essential
oil^
detains,
and
fixes
it,
without
imparting
any
urinous,
alka-
line,
or
other
nauseous
flavour
to
the
spirits.