2506. To Write on Greasy Paper or Parchment

2506.    To Write on Greasy Paper or Parchment. Put to a bullock's gall 1 handful of salt, and 1/4 pint vinegar, stir it until it is mixed well; when the paper or parchment is greasy, put 1 drop of the gall into the ink, and the difficulty will be instantly obviated.

2507. To Remove Ink Blotches from Writing

2507.    To Remove Ink Blotches from Writing. When ink blotches have been formed over writing which it is desired to decipher, we are advised to brush off the spot carefully with a weak solution of oxalic acid by means of a camel's-hair pencil. In this way layer after layer of the superincumbent ink will be removed, and finally the writing itself will, in most cases, come to view. This is especially possible where some considerable interval has elapsed between the two applications of ink. As soon as the letters are visible the brushing should be continued for a time with clean water, so as to arrest the tendency of the acid solution to make a further change in the ink.

2508. Redwood's Indelible Marking Ink

2508.    Redwood's Indelible Marking Ink. Dissolve 1 ounce nitrate of silver and 11/2 ounces crystallized carbonate of soda in separate portions of distilled water, and mix the solutions; collect the resulting precipitate on a filter, wash it thoroughly with distilled water, and introduce it, while still moist, into a wedgwood-ware mortar; add 8 scruples tartaric acid, and triturate the whole until effervescence has ceased; next add sufficient ammonia to dissolve the tartrate of silver; mix in 4 fluid drachms archil, 4 drachms white sugar, and 12 drachms finely-powdered gum-arabic; then add sufficient distilled water to make 6 ounces of the mixture. This ink fulfills all the conditions that a marking ink should possess : It flows freely from the pen without running or blotting; it does not require a very strong or long continued heat to develop it; when developed it is perfectly black; and it does not injure the texture of the finest fabric.

2509. Indelible Ink

2509.    Indelible Ink. The linen is first moistened with a fluid consisting of a mixture of 2 parts carbonate of soda in crystals, 2 parts gum-arabic, 8 parts water, and then dried. "When quite dry, it is rubbed with a glass or smooth pebble to render it as smooth as possible, so that it may be easier to write upon. The composition of the ink itself is as follows : 12/3 parts nitrate of silver, 16 parts distilled water, 2 parts gum-arabic, and 1/3 part sap green. The nitrate of silver is first dissolved in the distilled water, and the gum-arabic and sap green are subsquently added. It is necessary to write with a quill pen, all metallic pens except gold ones decomposing the ink. It is a good plan to trace the letters on the linen with a pencil before writing them. This and the four following receipts are by Dr. Reiman, who says that they have all been thoroughly well tried, and found effectual.