The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-01-25
CONFIRMED
The Government Chemist
EtuQS fields We're Used
in Connection W1IH
Contract Beef

WASHINGTON. Jan. 22.-Prof. F. Wiel-
ask, chemist Of the United States geo.
logical survey yesterday reported to the war
investigating commission that his test Of
the powder furnished by Surgeon Daily as
being the residue from the boiling down OF
a portion of the condemned beef on the
Panama, disclosed the presence of both
boric and salcylic acids. He could not
say where the powder came from, said
boric acid was unobjectionable. and that
neither had an offensive odor.
Prof. Clark took the witness stand and
was closely examined. He said the powder
was of brownish color while pure borax
Is pure white, but did not explain the diff
ference. Witness said he could not say
anything of the origin of the materials
tested, nor could he state the probable
amount of these chemical agents used that
would be extracted from the beef withoIt
more material and longer time. Large
quantities of such chemicals for preserva-
tives, however, he said, would be unneces-
sary and would be an expensive waste.
whatever to meat. The salicylic acid,
also, he said, was odorless, and he could
not say whether 1t forms any compounds
with the flesh Of cattle that would produce
odor.
Would it not be probable" he was asked,
that meat for a time varying from one
to twelve weeks In cold storage covered
by cheesecloth would be affected by the
substances in the cheeSecloth? ?'
II should think So" was the reply.
rs 1t possible to get both these agents."
Yes, sir; we found both in the material
submitted, purporting to be a meat eX-
tract"
1T does not necessarily follow, then,''
suggested Gen. Beaver, that the product
you examined came from beef tea?'
NO. / did not inquire into it's origin
Gen. Beaver read from Surgeon Daly's
report on the beef on the Panama secured
at Ponce, saying some of it smelled like
'iecaying boric acid"
Now" he asked, eff there is not any
perceptible taste in boric acid. would its
use in any quantity in meat impart any
such taste?'
II should say not" answered the witness.
Then we have disposed of that" COM
mented Gen. Beaver.
Witness said he knew of no such thing
as decomposing boric acid, and from a
scientific view the expression was mean
mgless; the boric acid in such quantities
as likely would be used would leave no
taste in the mouth of an individual as had
been testified to yesterday by Surgeon Daily
Would the treatment OF boric OF salicy-
lie acid make any difference in the odor
or stencil from decayed beef?" interrupted
exGov. Woodbury..
THAT would take actual experiment 1"
was the reply; there might be some slight
product of putrefaction"
Asked as to the effect on health Of using
beef injected with the boric acid witness
said 1t would be relatively harmless, but
that the use of salicylc acid would be DIFF
ferent and was prohibited by most Eu-
ropean countries. The use of the boric acid
on meat furnished troops in his opinion
would be of Very little Importance from
a health view, but the salcylic acid would
be Objectionable The effect of the pre-
servatives was to make the meat keep lon
ger If the meat were kept "a hours after
leaving the refrigerator the chemicals
might retard putrefaction.
IF the boric acid were used in the meat
would it impart, has been testified TO- a
taste so bitter, nauseous and unpalata BILE
as to make it unfit for use?" witness was
asked, and he replied: mo, sir,