white dressing
A 19th century and earlier process of treating
skins with weak organic acids during the
manufacture of vellum and parchment. Subsequent to
soaking, washing, and fleshing, the skins were
immersed in a series of acid vats, much in the
same manner skins are limed today. There were
generally five such baths; the first was usually
intended to cleanse the skins, the second to
soften the hair and epidermis for unhairing, and
the final three to swell and plump the skins and
give them body. The entire process generally took
5 to 6 weeks. (291 )
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