1863 The manufacture of liquors, wines, and cordials

XV.

THE PROCESS

OF THE

MANUFACTURE OF VINEGAR

IN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS, BY THE CONVERSION OF ALCOHOL INTO ACETIC ACID.

THIS process of manufacturing acetic acid, or pure vinegar, has superseded that of all others, both in Europe and America. This is owing to the many advantages that it presents. Among the most prominent may be noticed its rapid formation or acetification. The rationale of the conversion of whiskey and water into vinegar may be necessary to explain. Liebig supposes that it takes place in consequence of the formation of a new substance, called aldehyd, into which the alcohol is changed by the loss of a part of its hydrogen. The alcohol, consisting of four equals of carbon, six of hydrogen, and two of oxygen, loses two equals of hydrogen through the influence