The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-29
CONDENSED FOOD.
TcchnOLoni8t.

CONDENSED FOOD.
From the TcchnologiSt.
There are few men to whom the world owes
more than to the great chemist Liebig.
Whether we follow his career in the laboratory
working amongst objects of recondite
chemical researcher trace his influence upon
the application of science to the practical
matters of every day life, we must feel con-
yinced that he has accomplished wonders. He
may, occasionally, have made mistakes, but
then, as he himself says-''Show me a man
that makes no mistakes, and will show you
a man that does nothing" One of his most
important contributions to the practical ap-
plication of science is the utilization of the
meat of the vast herds that roam the pampas
of South America. His first Investigations in
regard to this ubject printed in 1917, had
the effect to direct scientific attention to this
alimentary problem. But, though the pro-
mitigation of an idea may be easy, its reali-
zation as an element in civilization is more
difficult and ten years had elapsed before
Liebig's suggestions were adopted by medi-
cal practitioners. The extract of meat was
at length, in 1856, incorporated into the Ba-
varian Pharmacopoeia, whence dates its gra-
dual introduction into all the German States.
Bidder in Germany, Lassaique in France,
and DR.. Thudicum, of London, were the next
to take up the idea, which had, as yet, made
no popular progress, and to direct popular
workers work; and, on the whole, the workers
are quite as progressive in their way as the
thinkers-the former being the hands of
which the latter are the heads.
In 1862 Mr.. G. G. Siebert, an engineer by
profession, induced by the perusal of one of
Liebig's papers on the subject, began a
course of study under that eminent scientist
with the intention of founding a manufac-
tory in South America. The experiment of
1foo ripo for ba mar at
sequence, attempted on a large scale in
Uruguay; and in November, 1864, eighty
pounds of the eXtract-ffty of beef and
thirty of mutton-were submitted for analy-
sis, and found to be of better quality than
was expected, even by the most enthusiastic
advocates of the idea
The consent of Liebig, that the extract
should have the benefit of his name, was
given on three conditions:-1. That it should
be free from fat and gelatine. .. That sam
Piles of every shipment should be subjected
to gratuitous examination by him or his
agent. 3. That it should be sold at one-half
the price of its cost in Europe. SO rapidly
has the article increased in popularity abroad,
that within the past two years there has been
erected mandatory having facilities TO,
the preparation of 100, 600 head of cattle pei
annum. The utensils for mincing-all the
appliances, in fact-are managed by engines
of large construction. The evaporation il
effected in large vacuum pans, from which the
air and vapor are removed by air-pumps. DR.
Seekamp, formerly one of Liebig's assistants
superintends at the mills-Dr. Max Won Pet
tenkofer conducting the test analysis a
Antwerp. Pure muscular tissue, freed from
fat and bones, constitutes the stock, the ami
mails to supply it being reared on the pampas
(now subdivided into estanzeas) under th,
supervision of the superintendent. Animals
under four years old are valueless for extract
rendering it vapid in taste and of unpleasan
Viscosity. Oxen from four to six years ole
make the best stock, though extract from thu
flesh of COWS is milder in flavor and of lighte
color, and, therefore, preferred by the ex
tremely delicate. On the average, a fully de
veloped animal yields ten pounds of tn
product, thirty-fve pounds of muscular tissue
being needed to produce pound of the con
densed article. Ideas evolve revolutions
revolution without an idea being a drami
without motive; and this vast annual pro
duction of beef extract indicates that tn,
great dietetical revolution conceived by
Liebig in 1S47 has begun in earnest.
Recent experiments have been instituted
in Europe with view to test the value of tn,
condensed principle in the alimentation o
armies, as, during the war, with the imperfec
American extracts, experiments were trieC
here, though with no very hattering success
In the prosecution of these tests according
to the Prussian Minister of War, $500 pound
were consumed with favorable results; and
of the 800, 600 men in the standing larmy o
the North German Confederation, 270, ,O0
use the extract as dietasy staple, at an ave
rage consumption to the regiment of hun
dred pounds month.
The Colonel of the 2Gth Regiment of tn
Madgeburg infantry gives details of the sou
manufacture. Boiling the bones left afte
several meals in sealed caldrons (for gelatin
of course) is the first operation. A libera
quantity of onions and green vegetables
with spices, is then added, and the decoctio
is boiled again. For 400 quarts of soup fou
pounds of extract is incorporated aud tn
ration is fixed at half a pint, which cost
rather less than half cent. The invaids O
the British army consume abou
$4,000 pounds per annum, which, whel
it is remembered that the well-known aphol
ism, La sOupe 5ait Ie sOLddt, expresses th
European conviction, may be taken as ev
dence of the economical value of the idea i
the alimentation of armies.
In the United States the subject has al
tTacted less attention. During the war
couple of solid extracts, either containin
aver 10 ner cent peletine were used TO som