A NEW OR IM- PROVED LIQUID COMPOSITION FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "A NEW OR IM-
PROVED LIQUID COMPOSITION FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE." A communication
from abroad by Augustin Jeanvoine, of Paris, France.
Sealed the 17th April 1877, and dated the 31st October 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st October 1876.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. "A NEW OR IMPROVED LIQUID COMPOSITION FOR EXTINGUISHING
FIRE."
This Invention relates to a liquid composition for extinguishing fires. The liquid
when discharged on burning substances will immediately extinguish the flames, and at
same time render the material incombustible. This liquid may be used either alone
or mixed with the water discharged from fire engines or pumps in the proportions
of, say, not less than one part of the liquid to ten parts of water.
The liquid is composed,-
1stly. Of a decoction of onions and walnut leaves boiled separately, the juices
obtained being macerated for from 15 to 20 days until an acid fermentation ensues.
2ndly. Of ordinary lye of soda or potash crystals.
3rdly. Fermented urine from which the solid parts, such as uric acid and phosphate
of lime, have been separated.
4thly. Sal-ammoniac.
5thly. Water in which sorrel has been boiled and afterwards macerated, in order
to extract all the organic acid contained in the sorrel.
6thly. Acid sulphate of alumina in solution in water.
The following is the composition of 4 gallons of the liquid, it being understood
that the proportions are given by way of example only:-
Onions, 24 oz. boiled in three and a half pints of water until reduced to one
half the quantity, to which after fermentation as above mentioned another three
and a half pints of water are added. The decoction of onions will thus amount to
about 5 pints.

page_text: Walnut leaves, 24 to 28 oz. boiled in 7 pints of water, to which is added after
fermentation three and a half pints of water. The decoction of walnut leaves thus
amounts to 7. pints.
Ordinary lye, 5 pints, in which is dissolved 10 oz. of anhydrous soda or potash
crystals. This solution thus amounts to 5 pints.
Fermented human urine, 9 piuts water.
Sal ammoniac, 34 oz. dissolved in 3 pints of water.
Sulphate of alumina, 3 oz. dissolved in 5 pints of water.
The whole of the seven ingredients produce together about 4
then mixed, and the magma being again boiled is strained, the
fire-extinguishing liquid.
gallons, which are
product being the
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st
April 1877.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. "A NEW OR IMPROVED LIQUID COMPOSITION FOR EXTINGUISHING
FIRE." A communication from abroad by Augustin Jeanvoine, of Paris, France.
This Invention relates to a liquid composition for extinguishing fire. The liquid
when discharged on burning substances will immediately extinguish the flames, and
ultimately renders the substance incombustible. This liquid may be used either
alone or mixed with the water discharged from fire engines or pumps in the
proportions of, say, not less than one part of the liquid to ten parts of water.
The liquid is composed,-
1st. Of a decoction of onions and walnut leaves boiled separately, the juices
obtained being macerated for from 15 to 20 days until an acid fermentation is
set up.
2nd. Of ordinary lye of soda or potash crystals.
3rd. Fermented human urine from which the solid parts, such as uric acid and
phosphate of lime, have been separated.
4th. Sal-ammoniac.
5th. Water in which sorrel has been boiled and afterwards macerated in order to
extract all the organic acid contained in the sorrel.
6th. Acid sulphate of alumina in solution in water.
The following is the composition of the liquid, it being understood that the pro-
portions are given by way of example only:
Onions, 24 oz. boiled in three and a half pints of water until reduced to one-
half the quantity, to which after the fermentation above mentioned, three and a
half pints more of water are added. The decoction of onions will thus amount to
about 5 pints.
Walnut leaves, 24 to 28 oz. boiled in 7 pints of water, to which is added after
fermentation three and a half pints of water. The decoction of walnut leaves thus
amounts to 7 pints.
Ordinary lye, pints, in which is dissolved 10 oz. of anhydrous soda or potash
crystals. This solution thus amounts to 5 pints.
Fermented human urine, 9 pints water.
Sal-ammoniac, 34 ozs. dissolved in 3 pints of water.
Sulphate of alumina, 34 oz. dissolved in 5 pints of water.
The whole of the ingredients produce together about 4 gallons, which are then
mixed and the magma being again boiled is then strained, the product being the
fire-extinguishing liquid.
Having described the nature of the said Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the

page_text: herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the liquid composition for extin-
guishing fire, as specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
A M
A. M. CLARK
(us)