A NEW OR IMPROVED FOOD FOR INFANTS AND INVALIDS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edmund Johnson Spitta, of Clapham Common, in the
County of Surrey, for the Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED FOOD FOR
INFANTS AND INVALIDS."
Sealed the 29th April 1879, and dated the 31st October 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Johnson Spitta at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st October 1878.
EDMUND JOHNSON SPITTA, of Clapham Common, in the County of Surrey. "A
NEW OR IMPROVED FOOD FOR INFANTS AND INVALIDS."
This Invention relates to a new or improved food for infants and invalids.
According to my Invention I combine the following substances in the proportions
specified and in the manner described.
Fourteen pounds of the best wheaten flour, half an ounce of ground ginger, and
one ounce best refined sugar.
These substances are thoroughly and intimately mixed, and are then placed in a
vessel, by preference of tin, or enamelled iron, or copper. The whole is then baked
for five hours in a water bath, after which the food is ready for use.
Fourteen pounds of the best wheaten flour, half an ounce of ground ginger, and
one ounce best refined sugar.
These substances are thoroughly and intimately mixed, and are then placed in a
vessel, by preference of tin, or enamelled iron, or copper. The whole is then baked
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edmund Johnson Spitta in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th April 1879.
EDMUND JOHNSON SPITTA, of Clapham Common, in the County of Surrey. "A
NEW OR IMPROVED FOOD FOR INFANTS AND INVALIDS."
This Invention relates to a new or improved food for infants and invalids.
According to my Invention I first take a convenient quantity of best wheated
[Price 2d1

page_text: flour, and thoroughly cook it, taking especial care not to char it in the least degree.
This I find best accomplished by effecting the cooking in a water bath. A con-
venient way is as follows:-I place the flour in an earthenware vessel and cover
same by preference with thick white paper. The vessel is then immersed in water
up to within about_a_inch_from_the_top, contained in a second or outer vessel,
which is also covered in by a light and loosely-fitting lid. The water is now
_ slowly raised to the boiling point, and kept boiling very gently for from five to six
hours.
If properly managed the flour will then be found thoroughly cooked and in no
degree charred, even on its upper-surface. It is then removed. Either-before-or-
after cooling I mix with fourteen pounds of the flour so prepared half an ounce of
ginger very finely ground, and one ounce of best refined sugar equally finely
powdered. The mixture is then passed through three or four hair sieves of gradually
increasing fineness. It is now almost, if not quite, white and in the condition of
an impalpable powder; it is ready for use, and may be packed in tins or otherwise
for the market. Kept dry and moderately cool it will remain good in any climate
for a practically indefinite period. To use the food with the best results the
following directions should be observed:-Set to boil in a saucepan, two wine
glassfuls of milk, and two of water. Then thoroughly mix in a vessel four heaped
tea spoonfuls of the improved food, with a wine glassful of cold milk and the same
quantity of cold water. Add to this the boiling milk and water and return the
whole to the saucepan and boil, stirring well till the food thoroughly thickens.
This forms the "stock," and is sufficient to last, say, twelve hours, being quite as
good at the twelfth hour as at the first. In cool weather double the quantity may
be made (i.e.) enough to last twenty four hours.
It is
At the time the food is required for use take two table spoonfuls of the stock
(whether cold or hot) and add two of milk (cold) and two of boiling water.
then ready without any heating whatever or any addition of sugar.
Good proportions of stock, milk, and water are as follows:-
For an infant 3 weeks old to Stock. Milk. Water.
3 months
2
2
2
(equal parts)
2
3
1
equal parts
2
4
0
equal parts
For an infant 3 months to 4 months
For an infant 4 months to 6 months
Another advantage of this food is that it may be mixed with a little beef tea and
given to the infant.
To use the food for invalids,-Thin the "stock" made as above with milk and
add a little white sugar, and eat warm.
The food can also be used to thicken soups, beef tea, and broth, and also may be
treated like corn flour and made into blanc mange.
I claim as my Invention to be secured by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent, a new or improved food for infants and invalids by combining
wheaten flour, ginger, and sugar, substantially as and in the manner herein-before
set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edmund Johnson Spitta, have hereunto set
my hand and sool the Thintinth d
EDMUND J. SPITTA. (L.S.)