Poudre d' Algerine.—Cream of tartar and pulverized red coral each 2 lbs., pulverized burnt alum 1 lb., pulverized sugar of milk 2 lbs., cochineal as coloring matter 3½ ozs.
The pulverized ingredients are brought into an enamelled vessel having a capacity of 12 quarts and thoroughly mixed, so that the cochineal is uniformly distributed in the mass. Now have ready about 3 quarts of nearly boiling water and a thoroughly cleansed soap-stirrer or similar instrument.
When everything is prepared, quickly pour the hot water upon the powder in the enamelled vessel and stir rapidly and thoroughly during the effervescence which immediately takes place. The effervescence gradually ceases and the result will be a beautiful crimson colored mass, the hot water having immediately and completely dissolved the coloring matter of the cochineal. Now, bring the mass into a shallow box lined with clean white paper and place it to dry in an airy room, but do not expose it to the air or sunlight. The next day the mass in the box is thoroughly worked through, this operation being repeated every day until the mass is dry. It is then again powdered, whereby it acquires a rose color, and is then sifted. The powder is perfumed with peppermint oil 1 oz. and clove oil and cassia oil each 5½ ozs., sufficient glycerin to prevent dust, being at the same time rubbed in. With the addition of the glycerin the beautiful crimson color of the powder reappears. This tooth-powder possesses excellent cleansing qualities and can be recommended chiefly to persons having yellow teeth, as well as to smokers whose teeth commence to get black.
Dr. Hufeland's tooth soap.—Best quality of tallow melted without acid 14 lbs., soda lye of 38° B. 6½ lbs., potash lye of 20° B. 1 lb. Further, yellow ochre 1 lb., umber 4½ ozs., and precipitated carbonate of calcium 3 lbs., stirred together with hot water 2 quarts. Peppermint oil 5¼ ozs., clove oil 14 drachms.
The kettle with the tallow strained through a cloth is brought upon the water-bath and the tallow heated to 167° F. The lye heated to about 100° F. is then slowly added to the tallow in the kettle, and, after stirring for about ¼ hour, the mass is allowed to rest quietly, the kettle being lightly covered and only a little steam admitted or fire kept under the kettle, so that saponification does not take place too rapidly.
Saponification will be slowly effected from the sides of the kettle in about one hour, the mass in the kettle rising somewhat. This rising indicates that the process of saponification is going on. The mass is now again stirred, which must be done carefully and not hastily, as otherwise the soap readily becomes spumous. When the soap again lies quietly in the kettle, it will have the appearance of a white prime grain-soap. Now add the coloring substances and the precipitated carbonate of calcium and thoroughly stir, so that the mass acquires a uniform brown color. Then remove the kettle from the water-bath, add the perfumes with constant stirring, bring the finished tooth soap into the frame, lightly cover the latter with the wooden lid and let stand over night. The next day the tooth soap may be cut up into suitable pieces, which are allowed to dry for about 12 hours and then packed in tinfoil, etc.
Tooth-soap.—Castile soap 1 lb., prepared chalk 1 oz., thymol 20 grains, oil of wintergreen 30 drops.
Shave the soap into ribbons, beat it into a paste with a little water, and add first the prepared chalk and lastly the thymol and wintergreen oil dissolved in a little water.
Saponaceous tooth-wash.—White Castile soap 3 ozs., oil of orange peel 10 drops, oil of cinnamon 5 drops, water 4 ozs., alcohol 12 ozs.
Shave the soap into ribbons; melt with the water in a water-bath, adding the alcohol while still warm. Continue the heat if necessary, until solution is effected. When cold, dissolve the oils in the liquid.