Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/163

143&#93; DIS •> d, should be kept clear for two months (oi till h tve been sufficiently cleansed L>v rain) before any other cattle be suffered to stand or graze there. G be bouse in which those cows been kept, ought to be wash- ed very clean, and then smoked, by burning pitch, tar, or worm- wood ; and to be shut up for three months at least, before any other cows are boosed in them : and 7. . the same method be taken with calves, oxen, and bulls. — See also Mv'UKAIN. DISTILLING, or D 1 still a- i ion. the art of separating or draw- ing off the spirituous, watery, oily, or saline particles of a mashed body from the grosser and more earthy parts, by the aid of fire; then col- lecting and condensing them by die application of cold. This process is generally per- formed by means of heat raised to a greater or less degree, as circum- stances may require. The lire is either applied immediately to the vessels in which the substances are to be distilled, or mediately, by means of water, sand, iron-filings, &c. The method of distilling at pre- sent uniformly adopted, is that by ascent, or raising the spirit above the fire ; which again is called ei- ther tight or oblique. The former process is managed with a common alembic, in which the liquor is raised, and then descends or drops into a receiver. This is chiefly used when the nature and consist- ence of the mash is such, as to ad- mit of a direct ascent ; for instance, in vegetables. Oblique distillation is performed laterally and in crooked vessels, termed retorts. It is employed in distilling those more solid bodies, 1) I s ['43 tin" particles of which are tOO heavy to be raised to the top 01 u common still, or alembic; of this description are sake, and fosaUs in general. With respect to the practical part of distilling or refining, we ihaJJ first observe, that the heat should in all cases be as gentle and uni- J arm as possible. Accidents may be effectually prevented by em- ploying a worm of a proper width, and by rectifying spirits in a water' bath; which, if sufficiently la will perform the operation with all the dispatch requisite for the most extensive business. The vessel in which the rectification is effected, ought to be immersed in another filled with water up to the neck, and loaded with lead at the bottom, in order to keep it firm and steady. The process will thus be managed as expeditiously as if the vessel were placed over an open fire, and without the apprehension of being disappointed ; nor will it be neces- sary at anv time to raise the water in the bath to a boiling heat. A patent was granted in July 1773, to Mr. Tho. Danfokth, of Charlestown, in the Province of Massachusse.t's Bay, for his inven- tion of a method of condensing the vapour arising in distillation : as the term of his privilege is now expired, we insert the following particulars. The whole improve- ment consists in making the worm- vessel, or that containing the wa- ter to cool the worm, or vessel which receives the steam or vapour to be condensed (whether the steam- vessel be a worm, strait tube, or of any other form), so that it may act in a manner similar to a syphon or crane ; and, upon the same principles, by making it air-tight; excepting a communication by a tube