IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRESERVATION OF RAW MEAT AND THE PREPARATION OF AN ANTISEPTIC FOR THAT PURPOSE
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Imray, of Southampton Buildings, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRESERVATION OF
RAW MEAT AND THE PREPARATION OF AN ANTISEPTIC FOR THAT PURPOSE."
A communication from abroad by Fillipo Artimini, of Florence, in the Kingdom
of Italy.
Sealed the 29th August 1879, and dated the 26th June 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Imray at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th June 1879.
PROVEMENTS
"IM-
JOHN IMRAY, of Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex.
IN THE PRESERVATION OF RAW MEAT AND THE PREPARATION
OF AN ANTISEPTIC FOR THAT PURPOSE." [A communication from abroad by
Fillipo Artimini, of Florence, in the Kingdom of Italy.]
This Invention relates to the preservation of raw meat by the use of a special
antiseptic material, prepared and applied as will now be described. Water, pre-
ferably purified by distillation, is rendered aromatic by immersion therein of nutmeg
broken into small fragments. With the water thus aromatised is formed a solution
of boric tartrate, a compound of boracic and tartaric acids, both of which for the
purpose of this Invention should be used chemically pure. The solution constitutes
the liquid antiseptic, which is applied as follows:- When the meat is to be preserved
in large picces, each exceeding, for example, 10 pounds in weight, the antiseptic
liquid is injected into an artery of the animal by means of a small pump, which
with its connecting pipes and valves should be internally gilt or otherwise protected
from the chemical action of the liquid. After injection the animal is cut up into
pieces, which after the bones are removed are immersed in the antiseptic liquid for
several hours. The pieces are then dried in a current of air. When it is desired
to preserve smaller pieces, each not exceeding 5 or 6 lbs. in weight, the injection
may be dispensed with, the pieces, without bone, being in that case simply immersed
for several hours in the antiseptic liquid, and then dried in the air. Meat treated
[Price 4d1

page_text: as above described will retain its freshness for several months. It may moreover be
dried and preserved for longer periods as a material for soup or broth. The anti-
septic liquid is applicable for the temporary preservation of pieces of meat in the
market or stall by brushing them over with a sponge or cloth soaked in the anti-
septic liquid, whereby they are made to retain their freshness for several days.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Imray in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd December
1879.
JOHN IMRAY, of Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex. " IMPROVE-
.MENTS IN THE PRESERVATION OF RAW MEAT AND THE PREPARATION OF AN
ANTISEPTIC FOR THAT PURPOSE." A communication from abroad by Fillipo
Artimini, of Florence, in the Kingdom of Italy.
This Invention relates to the preservation of raw meat by the use of a special
antiseptic material prepared and applied as will now be described. Water, pre-
ferably purified by distillation, is rendered aromatic by immersion therein of nutmeg
broken into small fragments. The quantity of nutmeg may be varied, but practically
the addition of from one to two parts of nutmeg to one thousand parts of water is
sufficient to aromatise the water to the extent required. With the water thus
aromatised is formed a solution of boric tartrato, a compound of boracic and tartaric
acids, both of which for the purpose of this Invention should be used chemically
pure. The tartaric acid employed may be that of commerce, purified by repeated
crystallisation, and the boracic, or boric acid as it is sometimes called, should be
purified by means of hydrochloric acid. The two acids properly purified are.
combined by heat in the proportion of two parts of the tartaric acid to fifteen parts
of the boric acid, producing a compound somewhat deliquescent salt, herein termed
"boric tartrate." A solution of this salt in the aromatised water in the proportion
of from twelve to fifteen parts to one thousand parts of the water, or thereabouts,
constitutes the liquid antiseptic, which is applied as follows:-When the meat is to
be preserved in large pieces, each exceeding, for example, 10 pounds in weight, the
antiseptic liquid is injected into an artery of the animal by means of a small pump,
which with its connecting pipes and valves should be internally gilt, or otherwise
protected from the chemical action of the liquid. After injection the animal is cut
up into pieces, which after the bones are removed are immersed in the antiseptic
liquid for several hours; the pieces are then dried in a current of air. When it is
desired to preserve sinaller pieces, each not exceeding 5 or 6 lbs. in weight, the injection
may be dispensed with, the pieces without bone boing in that case simply immersed
for several hours in the antiseptic liquid and then dried in the air. Meat treated
as above described will retain its freshness for several months. It may however be
dried and preserved for longer periods as a material for soup or broth. The anti-
septic liquid is applicable for the temporary preservation of pieces of meat in the

page_text: market or stall by brushing them over with a sponge or cloth soaked in the anti-
septic liquid, whereby they are made to retain their freshness for several days.
Although in the foregoing description certain proportions have been stated as being
suitable for the production and application of the antiseptic solution when used in
a temperate climate it is to be understood that these proportions may be varied
according to the masses of neat dealt with and the temperatures or other external
conditions under which they are treated.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, I
claim,―
First. The manufacture for the preservation of raw meat of the antiseptic "boric
tartrate," substantially as herein described.
Second. Preserving meat by the application thereto of the antiseptic "boric
tartrate," prepared and applied substantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jolin Imray, have hereunto set my hand an
seal, this Twenty third day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
JOHN IMRAY. (L.B.)