The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-06

dliiloSl everywhere III ua1np places, ana
although medical properties are de-
rived from many such lichen tauric
moss is little known in chemistry. This
moss is powerful as decomposing
agent and with many minerals 1t acts
the same as does rust upon iron and
other metals. l had not the slightest
idea of the discovery l was about to
make.
Il was experimenting with it in con-
junction with several chemicals and
upon drawing off the residue on met
al dish l found that the bottom of the
dish had become softened. At first 1
supposed the metal had been decom-
posed by the acids, but this was not
the case. The reason for this peculiar
condition of the metal dish only could
be attributed to some element in the
tauric moss and then 1 began the ex-
periments which developed the new
Substance-tauric acid.
Il spent night and day experiment.
ing before | had perfected this new
acid and found what it really would do.
A few days ago my labors were re-
warded by fully developing the new
agent. By placing gold, silver, steel,
aluminium or lead in this acid l found
they became soft as dough, so that
they might be worked with the hand
into any shape or form. Although steel
softens readily when placed in a YES
sci containing tauric acid. strange to
say the acid has no effect upon IRON.
l am unable to explain this at present,
but l shall continue my experiments
until the reason for this is made clear.
'"Tauric acid will be of great value to
jewelers. in making designs in precious
metals. Designs may be NODDED OF
beaten to the required shape without
heat being used at all.
In dentistry l expect 1t to work a
revolution in the filling of cavities in
the teeth. Instead of the beating, plug
ging and hammering, according to the
methods now in use, the gold or sill
yer, whichever it may be, may be soft
ened by tauric acid, then placed in the
cavities while in a soft condition. Al
ter being placed in position the filings
will harden. All that is necessary to
make the metals as they were before
is to expose them to the open air. In
this way the metals will be made much
the same as amalgam.
There are many other ways IN
which this new acid will prove usefui.
But it really is in its infancy. 1t may
be made at slight cost and the uses &c
which it may be put are almost with-
out limit" =, ;.
In explaining how tauric acld Is
made, Professor Olan said:
my plan for bringing out the ACID
from the tauric moss is to put in a
| deep vessel layer of chloride or lime
then a layer of tauric moss to the
depth of two inches and then layer
of chloride of potash of about the same
| thickness. This is saturated with wa
| ter until the lime is slaked away. After
| the fire has gone out of the lime the
| LIQUID is drawn off.
after this, creosote of tar is added
| until a separate solution results. The
| solution is precipitated with a solution
| of sulphuric acid, one part in 10. After
| precipitation the supernatent liquiC
| is decanted, and the residue is found tc
| consist of pure tauric acid"
As soon as Professor Dian had salts.
fed himself that he really had made ar
important discovery he fastened tt
| this city to make it known to those
more eminent in his profession. These
chemists were astounded and told hin
that his discovery was worth a fortune
to him. They advised him to keep it:
| elements a secret and have it patented
| To this, however, Olan did not agree
| He said he was willing to give it Il
the scientific world for what it wal
worth. and this he has done. Chemists
| who We're seen by a reporter for tn,
Press yesterday said there was n,
doubt that CLANS discovery was i'm