Specification of Francis Plowden : preserving animal and other substances.

  • Plowden, Francis.
Date:
1855
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of Francis Plowden : preserving animal and other substances. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Plowden s Improvements in Preserving Animal and other Substances. table, and Nutritious State, fit for Consumption both at Sea and on Land, without Acid, Salt, or Drying, for an extraordinary Length of Time, is per¬ formed on the principles and in manner following, that is to say:— Putrefaction is a spontaneous decomposition of the elementary component parts of the putrefying bodies. Although the atmospheric air be not the sole 5 efficient cause of putrefaction, yet the contact of it evidently favors and acce¬ lerates putrefaction. Consequently the preservation or security of such bodies from the immediate contact and as much as can be from the influence of the atmospheric air, must proportionably retard and prevent putrefaction, which is effected by the evaporation or exhalation of elementary parts. If, 10 therefore, these bodies, whilst sound and untainted, can be closely enveloped in an air-proof medium or substance, so as to prevent evaporation or exha¬ lation, their decomposition must be arrested, as long as the circumambient pre¬ servative continues to resist the admission and action of the air. The texture or quality of such incrusting substance or medium of preservation must not 15 only resist the effects of the atmospheric air, but it must not communicate any noxious quality to its contents. The substance of which I form this incrustation is very highly dried essence or extract of meat. The sub¬ stance to be preserved being dressed will preserve the longer, and it should be put into the vessel in a cold state, and wiped dry. Care must be 20 had that it contain no insect, vermin, or other immediate active cause of corruption, or any particle of inchuate putrefaction. If this essence or extract be properly made, the advantage of its affording pleasant, wholesome, and nutritive soup or broth, and its general utility for all culinary purposes, will be incalculable. The process of extracting the gelatin from the animal 25 substance will be attended with this further oeconomical effect, that it will leave the membrane and all other parts of the animal substance (except the earth and bone) in the immediate state of preparation for being converted into soup. And as to the earth of the bones, that will afford phosphoric acid, which may be converted into that species of phosphorus which is in high 30 estimation, and very valuable to refiners. Every part of the substance to be preserved should be compleatly enveloped with the extract, so that no vacuum or interstice be left open ; and it should be applied in that fusible state as to find its way into every vacuum. The vessels are best of wood, and should be kept as dry as possible. 35 In witness whereof, I, the said Francis Plowden, have hereunto set my hand and seal, on this Tenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seven. FRANCIS PLOWDEN. (l.s.)