Vetiver Sachet Powder.

Vetiver root2 lb.
Musk15 grains.
Civet20 grains.

[CHAPTER XVIII.]
THE PERFUMES USED FOR FUMIGATION.

According to the use made of them, perfumes for fumigation may be divided into two groups: those which develop their fragrance on being burned, and those which do so on being merely heated. The former group includes pastils and ribbons, the latter fumigating powders and waters.

Fumigating Pastils.
French—Pastilles fumigatoires; German—Räucherkerzen.

Pastils consist in the main of charcoal to which enough saltpetre is added to make the lighted mass glow continuously and leave a pure white ash. To this mass are added various aromatic substances which are gradually volatilized by the heat and fill the surrounding air with their perfume. It is important to observe that only ordinary saltpetre (nitrate of potassium) is to be used for this purpose, and not the so-called Chili saltpetre (nitrate of sodium) which becomes moist in the air. For ordinary pastils finely rasped fragrant woods such as cedar or santal are frequently employed. During the slow combustion, however, the wood gives off products of a pungent or disagreeable odor such as acetic acid and empyreumatic products, which lessen the fragrance. Fine pastils are composed of resins and essential oils and are usually formed into cones two-fifths to four-fifths of an inch high, by being pressed in metal moulds.

Fumigating pastils are manufactured as follows. Each solid ingredient is finely powdered by itself, and the necessary quantities are then put into a wide porcelain dish and intimately mixed with a flat spatula. In order to confine the dust, the dish is covered with a cloth during this operation. The mixture being completed, the essential oils are added, together with enough mucilage of acacia to form a plastic mass to be kneaded with the pestle, and which after drying will have a sufficiently firm consistence.

Pastilles Orientales.

Charcoal1½ lb.
Saltpetre3½ oz.
Benzoin½ lb.
Powdered amber3½ oz.
Tolu balsam2¾ oz.

The charcoal for this and all other pastils should be made from soft woods (willow, poplar, etc.). The characteristic of these pastils is the amber they contain (the offal from manufactories is used) and which on ignition gives off a peculiar odor much prized in the Orient, rather than in Europe or America.

Pastilles du Sérail.

Charcoal1½ lb.
Saltpetre3½ oz.
Benzoin½ lb.
Santal wood5½ oz.
Opium1¾ oz.
Tolu balsam2¾ oz.

This formula is here given as usually quoted. It may be stated, however, that the opium may be omitted entirely, as it neither contributes to the fragrance, nor produces, by being burned in this manner, any of the supposed exhilarating or intoxicating effects which it may produce when used in other forms or employed in other ways.

Baguettes Encensoires (Fumigating Pencils).

Benzoin14 oz.
Charcoal1¾ oz.
Peru balsam1 oz.
Storax2 oz.
Shellac3½ oz.
Olibanum5½ oz.
Civet75 grains.
Oil of bergamot1 oz.
Oil of orange peel1 oz.
Oil of santal¾ oz.

Melt the benzoin, charcoal, shellac, and olibanum in a bright iron pan at the lowest possible heat; take the pan from the fire and add the other ingredients, heat being again applied from time to time to keep the mass in a liquid state. The plastic mass is rolled out on a marble slab into rods the thickness of a lead pencil. Such a pencil need be but lightly passed over a hot surface to volatilize the aromatics it contains.

Pastilles Odoriférantes.

Charcoal2 lb.
Saltpetre3½ oz.
Benzoin1½ lb.
Cloves7 oz.
Tolu balsam7 oz.
Vanilla7 oz.
Vetiver root7 oz.
Cinnamon3½ oz.
Oil of neroli150 grains.
Oil of santal¾ oz.

This and the following formula give the finest mixtures for pastils.

Pastilles Enbaumées.

Charcoal2 lb.
Saltpetre2¾ oz.
Benzoic acid, sublimed1 lb.
Musk15 grains.
Civet15 grains.
Oil of lemon grass30 grains.
Oil of lavender15 grains.
Oil of clove15 grains.
Oil of thyme30 grains.
Oil of cinnamon30 grains.

Poudre d’Encens (Incense Powder).

Benzoin½ lb.
Cascarilla½ lb.
Musk15 grains.
Santal wood1 lb.
Saltpetre3½ oz.
Vetiver root5½ oz.
Olibanum1 lb.
Cinnamon5½ oz.

Dissolve the saltpetre in water, saturate the powders with the solution, dry the mass, and again reduce it to powder. This powder, strewn on a warm surface such as the top of a stove, takes fire spontaneously and gradually disappears.

Fumigating Papers and Wicks (Bruges Ribbons).
French—Papier à fumigations. Ruban de Bruges; German—Räucherpapiere. Räucherbänder.

Fumigating papers are strips impregnated with substances which become fragrant on being heated; such a strip need merely be placed on a stove or held over a flame in order to perfume a whole room. Fumigating papers are divided into two groups: those meant to be burned, and those meant to be used repeatedly. The former, before being treated with aromatics, are dipped into saltpetre solution; the latter, in order to render them incombustible, are first dipped into a hot alum solution so that they are only charred by a strong heat, but not entirely consumed.

A. Inflammable Fumigating Paper.

Papier Fumigatoire Inflammable.

The paper is dipped into a solution of 3½ to 5½ ounces of saltpetre in water; after drying it is immersed in a strong tincture of benzoin or olibanum and again dried. An excellent paper is made according to the following formula:

Benzoin5½ oz.
Santal wood3½ oz.
Olibanum3½ oz.
Oil of lemon grass150 grains.
Essence of vetiver1¾ oz.
Alcohol.1 qt.

For use, the paper is touched with a red-hot substance, not a flame. It begins to glow at once without bursting into flame, giving off numerous sparks and a pleasant odor.

B. Non-inflammable Fumigating Paper.

Papier Fumigatoire Permanent.

This paper is prepared by dipping it in a hot solution of 3½ oz. of alum in one quart of water; after drying, it is saturated with the following mixture:

Benzoin7 oz.
Tolu balsam7 oz.
Tincture of tonka7 oz.
Essence of vetiver7 oz.
Alcohol20 fl. oz.

This paper, when heated, diffuses a very pleasant odor and can be used repeatedly. It does not burn, and strong heat only chars it. Some manufacturers make inferior fumigating papers by dipping the alum paper simply in melted benzoin or olibanum.