Chapter 2: Safety In Alchemy

Chapter 3

Introduction

Alchemy can be dangerous without the right tools and training, which is why it's important to possess both. There are some common tools frequently used in the classroom—such as a wand, dragonhide gloves, or goggles—as well as rare tools that more advanced wizards use on a daily basis. In addition to having the right tools, it is important to keep the right mindset as well; practising common safety techniques while learning alchemy will train your mind to be both safe and resourceful.

The Common Tools

Before you can even start practising alchemy, you need the right tools! This is a short introduction to some common tools that are normally used in basic Alchemy classes.

Wand: The wand is one of the most essential tools for any wizard and if you are reading this book, is most likely already in your possession. Wands can be used for transmuting spells, which is especially important for alchemy. Recall that alchemy focuses on transmuting metals! In conjunction with chemicals or elements, a wand can finish off a tricky potion with a simple tap. Its role in establishing magical ailments in chemicals and elements has made it an integral part of any alchemist's toolkit.

Dragonhide gloves: Since alchemy deals not only with metals but with potentially dangerous chemicals as well, protective coverings for less resilient parts of the body (e.g. the skin) must be used as a precaution. Dragonhide gloves are the strongest gloves out there, making them the best to have for any alchemical venture. The rough, scaly skin of dragons is almost impervious to spells, resulting in super strong protective wear for your hands.

These gloves prevent any chemicals you handle from coming in contact with your hands. Many chemicals used in alchemy are toxic and when they come in contact with skin, result in irritation, blistering, and sometimes even burning. You’d be wise to grab yourself a pair of these!

Goggles: Many chemicals are not only dangerous to the touch but also give off toxic fumes. These fumes can harm your eyes if you are not careful. Therefore, having goggles is essential to safety while practising alchemy as well as preserving your eyesight. There are certain chemical fumes have the potential to cause permanent vision loss. Your goggles should also carry an Impervius Charm to repel any liquid or gaseous substance that comes near them. This is a simple charm to do on your own pair of goggles, so don’t forget!

Face mask: Your eyes aren’t the only part of your body chemicals can damage! The fumes can also be dangerous to inhale, causing you to hallucinate, have trouble breathing, and cough up blood. By wearing a face mask while practising alchemy, you can protect yourself from inhaling harmful chemicals and accidental ingestion. Ingestion can result in similar symptoms as inhalation but can additionally lead to bloody vomit, chest pain, increased heart rate, and severe abdominal pain.

Close-toed shoes: Similar in function to dragonhide gloves, closed-toed shoes can protect you from toxic chemicals that spill on the floor. Accidents can happen very easily while practising alchemy, so it is important to protect all sensitive parts of your body. Close-toed shoes will protect you from skin contact with chemicals and contact with broken glass or other tools.

The Rare Tools

Now on to the rare tools, which are not 'rare' as in hard to find but 'rare' as in not commonly used by less advanced wizards. As you move up in alchemy, more and more tools will be required. The 'rare' tools can be separated into three different types: glass vessels, porcelain vessels, and other tools. Keep in mind that unless you delve much deeper into the world of alchemy, you may never encounter these tools or have a use for them.

Glass Vessels:

These vessels are commonly used to measure volumes of chemicals. Additionally, many are used to heat substances that become dangerous at high temperatures because glass is able to withstand this type of heat. These vessels can be manipulated to have higher or lower durability as desired, depending on what the alchemist using them wants.

As a reference, a sip refers to the volume of a shotglass and was commonly used to measure liquids.

Boiling glass: These cylindrical-shaped vessels vary in length from very tall to very short. A common ratio for these glasses, however, is the length being twice as long as the diameter of the glass, resulting in a narrow-looking container. Some have spouts, which can be used for pouring out liquids, while others contain measuring lines much like a graduated cylinder. The maximum amount they can hold may vary but ranges from 112 to 200 sips. Like the name suggests, these glasses are commonly used for boiling liquids.

Flasks: Flasks are conical in shape, much like a flask you’d think of today. They have a high resistance to heat and other dangerous substances, making them ideal for more dangerous alchemy experiments. They’re used to make solutions during experiments since the glass they’re made of is sturdy enough to support any mutations in the properties of the chemicals being mixed.

Funnel: The funnel has various functions, including filtering of substances, moving liquid or powdered substances into another vessel, separation of solutions, and more. Funnels come in a variety of sizes and shapes, depending on their function.

Measunder: Also known as a beaker, these tools are very similar to boiling glasses but can vary in ratio between the diameter and height of the vessel. The most important feature is that the bottom is smooth so that the vessel can sit on the table without moving, resulting in more accurate measurements.

Meabul: This is a round-bottomed flask that has a flat bottom and a long and narrow neck. The capacity of the vessel is marked on the neck and is usually used to measure only one capacity. This is useful for solutions that need to be made with exact volume measurements in order to get the correct concentration. Using a meabul is simple. First, put a little of the solvent into the container. Then, add in the correct amount of powdered substance or liquid to be dissolved in the solvent. Remember, the concentration is based off the final volume of the meabul, so keep that in mind when calculating the amount of solute to add in. Once the solute has been dissolved into the already-present solvent, add additional solvent until the height of the solution reaches the marked line on the neck.

Medicine glass: These are used to measure approximate amounts of liquids and can be conical or cylindrical in shape. They can vary in capacity, but many alchemists use those with a standard maximum of two, four, ten, twenty, and forty sips.

Porcelain Vessels:

Because of the material they are made from, porcelain vessels are known to be more durable in strength and are only used when there is a need for that strength (like when grinding substances into powder). Unfortunately, their durability comes at a price; compared to glass vessels, porcelain vessels are heavier, more expensive, and not translucent.

Crucible: Crucibles are conically shaped and have a flat bottom. They appear to be like tiny bowls but are more resistant to heat and sudden changes in temperature, allowing them to be put into furnaces without rupturing. Crucibles are commonly used to melt substances such as metals. However, porcelain isn’t the only material used to make crucibles; sometimes they can be made out of quartz or even black iron. Take caution when handling a crucible after heating and remember to use the crucible claw to assist you in handling.

Mortar: These bowls are used to grind substances into powders using a pestle, resulting in the 'mortar and pestle' combination. The inside portion of the mortar is usually porous and rough, making it easy to grind something against (as compared to a glazed surface).

Other Tools:

More advanced alchemists have a variety of common tools they use that don’t fit into any one category. While seemingly simple, many of these are important to have for safety and accuracy in experiments.

Alcohol lamp: Also known as 'spirit lamps', these are very similar to what Muggles now call a 'Bunsen burner'. Whatever the name, they are used to boil and heat up substances. The lamp is constructed out of glass and contains both alcohol and a wick inside a jar. The heat combined with the alcohol burns the wick, contributing to its namesake.

Fastening rod: Fastening rods are used in combination with rings and arms to fasten vials, flasks, funnels, and other vessels. This is similar to the Muggle concept of a 'ring stand'. These are useful for holding vessels over flames or securing a vessel to a sturdy support while you perform other chemical feats.

Claws: As mentioned earlier, claws should be used to handle a hot crucible that is being pulled out of a furnace. They are similar to the arms used for a fastening rod but are different in size and construction. The function of the claw depends on the length of the claw.

Common Safety Techniques

Safety techniques are the most essential skills to learn while practising alchemy because they ensure a safe and productive environment. As a reminder, always wear your safety gear from the common tools list. That’s why they’re on the basic list!

-Label any mixture you make! This will prevent mix-ups from happening down the line, which can prevent mixing the wrong chemicals.

-Remember to record all labels for all chemicals being used. It’s important to know which chemicals are being used and which you have come in contact with so that precautions can be taken immediately in case of an accident.

-Double check to make sure you are mixing the right chemicals. Many alchemy experiments often go wrong when students are unaware of what they are mixing together, resulting in the wrong product being produced or even worse, explosions.

-If you come in contact with a chemical, use Tergeo to cleanse the affected area.

-Dittany is useful to apply to areas affected by chemicals. After applying dittany, it is imperative that you immediately see a healer.

-Do not touch others who have produced the wrong charm or spell. Once the wrong spell or charm has been determined, immediately follow the correct steps to fix it.

-Keep equipment away from the edge of your work area. Elbows and other bodily appendages have been known to knock over a cauldron or two before.