“…In fact, the removal of the epicuticle, leading to a strong positive test for &dquo;damage,&dquo; may produce a usefully modified fiber-e.g., a brief treatment with alcoholic caustic potash will lead to an easily wetted fiber, even and simple dyeing, under some conditions unshrinkability, and, owing to a higher average coefficient of friction, stronger yarns and fabrics and greater ease in spinning, etc. Some of these properties of treated wools have been noted [23], and here we wish merely to point out that the changes are easily explained as being a result of the removal of the protecting membrane.…”