History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c15.115

c15.115

"Good alkaline caustics should be neither too strong nor too weak. They should be white in colour, smooth and soapy to the touch, should not spread beyond where they are applied, and act rapidly and successfully. These are the eight good properties of the caustics. Their bad qualities consist in their being too weak or cool, too strong or hot, too slippery and spreading, too thick or too underboiled, or they may be deficient in ingredients."