IMPROVED COMPOUNDS FOR PRESERVING ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES, DESTROYING INSECTS, PREVENTING CONTAGIOUS DISEASES, AND CURING SKIN DISEASES, SORES, OR WOUNDS
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Herbert John Allison at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th November 1879. A communica-
tion from abroad by Monsieur E. De Werchin, of Meslay, near Vendome,
Loir-et-Cher, in the Republic of France.
HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of the Firm of Allison Brothers, Patent Agents,
41, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the County of Middlesex. " IMPROVED
COMPOUNDS FOR PRESERVING ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES, DESTROYING
INSECTS, PREVENTING CONTAGIOUS DISEASES, AND CURING SKIN DISEASES, SORES,
OR WOUNDS." A communication from abroad by Monsieur E. De Werchin, of
Meslay, near Vendome, Loir-et-Cher, in the Republic of France.
This Invention consists, first, of a mixture composed of oil and camphor, called
camphorated oil (huile camphrée) containing about 50% of camphor; second, of a
mixture composed of oil and phenic acid, called phenic oil (huile phénique),
containing about 50% of phenic acid.
Oil has the property of penetrating almost all bodies, and thus by its nature
provides the only means which enables the introduction into the pores of animal
and mineral substances, as well as into the most dense pores and the most dense
fibres of vegetable substances, of an element destined to preserve from decay the
said animal or vegetable substances, either by putrifactive fermentation or parasitic
or other injurious insects.
This adaptability is even more clearly indicated by the fact that oil prevents
water and moisture from attacking objects, and that many manufacturers make
daily use of it to assist in the preparation of woollen goods and other substances.
Oil is also used to clean leather, woodwork, paintings, &c.
Therefore, an oil which serves at the same time as a preserving medium and for
ordinary greasing purposes, instead of being injurious will be an improvement
without increase of expense.
Oiled wool, for instance, being more easily cleaned obtains by this means a
quantity which is noticeable through all the operations that it goes through in its
different transformations.
Whilst ensuring the good preservation of wool by the treatment with a
preserving oil, this prudent step has the result of giving great advantages.

page_text: Other reasons may still be considered; thus, wool that has been kept for a certain
time packed close in a store house, where air cannot penetrate to it,
not only
subject to various changes, either by putrifactive fermentation or by parasitic or
other insects, but it may contain among its filaments germs of different natures,
which will render its manufacture more or less dangerous.
This danger does not only menace the persons employed in the manufacture, for
these germs becoming developed by the first contact with air may be multiplied in
prodigious quantities.
In importations above all, this consideration should not be lost sight of; for,
supposing that wool can be preserved without the use of a preserving oil, it is not
the less prudent to oil it with the camphorated oil so as to destroy the injurious
germs which take refuge in it. Sanitary inspectors will be able to judge of this
necessity, and if a quarantine is necessary, insist that all the woodwork of the ship
be treated with camphorated, linseed, or other oil, the only means of destroying all
germs without allowing one to escape.
Besides security this treatment has the advantage of a notable economy, since
this greasing serves to preserve the woodwork at the same time that it acts as a
powerful auxilliary to purify the air.
Rags of all kinds, wood, and finally, all animal and vegetable substances may
also, by the aid of impurities, serve as a refuge to germs of disease.
The camphorated oil penetrates not only into the pores and fibres but also into
the impurities.
The properties of camphorated oil are founded on the fact that camphor and
phenic acid are two products possessing equally the same powers as an anti-putrid
and insecticide agent, and for destroying germs. If preference is given to cam-
phorated oil it is because in all its different applications it is always uninjurious to
anything it is brought in contact with, and further it is less offensive in smell than
phenic oil.
Phenic oil would in several cases be injurious, and in others require some
precautions.
Nevertheless, it may be used with 50% of phenic acid if preferred. It is true
that phenic acid possesses one property that camphor does not, that is, its
cauterising power, which, in certain cases, may be advantageously employed.
The similarity of their effects being constant they have been classed, one as
mineral camphor, and the other as vegetable camphor.
If, hitherto, industries have not taken advantage of their useful properties it has
been for want of a suitable solvent which could serve as a medium to convey them
into the most deuse pores and the most dense fibres.
By careful study and experiments the inventor has found that all kinds of oil
possess the property of dissolving either camphor or phenic acid, and of conveying
them into the pores or fibres of animal and vegetable substances.
It is necessary that the camphor or phenic acid should be present in sufficient
quantities, that in all its applications the result will be certain, economical, and
easy to obtain.
This study, finally crowned with success, enables the inventor to produce cam-
phorated oil containg 50% of camphor, or phenic oil containing 50% of phenic
acid.
The principal applications for these two oils are for,-
Cleaning and preserving wool, pigs and wild boars' bristles, animal hair, leather,
of all kinds, furniture, &c.
rags
Destroying bugs and other insects.
Preventing contagion from epidemic diseases.
Preventing contagion from typhus or other contagious diseases amongst horned
and other animals.
Curing diseases of the skin, either among men or animals.
Curing sores, wounds, and burns.

page_text: Curing bites and stings of venomous animals, whitlows, boils, and furuncles
(phenic oil is preferable for these purposes).
Killing insects on plants.
Destroying the phylloxera on vines.
These oils have many other applications too numerous to mention, but as a
general rule they may be employed in all cases where camphor or phenic acid are
prescribed.