IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE TREATMENT OF ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES." A communication
from abroad by Alfred Jean Huet, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th November 1880.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of No. 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF ANIMAL OR
VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES." A communication from abroad by Alfred Jean Huet,
of Paris, in the Republic of France,
This Invention relates to an improved process applicable to the treatment of
animal or vegetable substances, and it has for its object, first, preventing the
putrifaction of the said substances, together with the liberation of the gases
generated, and thereby obviating the fetid odours resulting from the decomposition;
secondly, destroying the putrid or morbid germs which constitute the chief cause
of a large number of epidemics; thirdly, removing and destroying all the insects
and animal or vegetable germs which abound in fermenting matter, and extend
their ravages in all directions, especially in agriculture; fourthly, producing by
means of the improved treatment of the said substances a manure of great strength,
and which is rendered capable, by the addition of certain substances properly
selected, of being employed in the cultivation of plants of all descriptions, and
protecting the latter at the same time from the attacks of parasites.
These results are obtained with facility and economy by means of this Invention,
first, by employing different descriptions of lava which have undergone a
preliminary transformation, as hereinafter described, and secondly, by mixing the
said lava after such transformation with a product resulting from the oxidation of
heavy oils of tar by the action of atmospheric agents with the intervention of
hydrate of lime, which forms what may be termed empyreumatic lime, and also
by the addition of alunite calcined in the presense of chloride of potassium.
Any description of lava having a base of alumina, lime, and potassa may be

page_text: employed, but from an agricultural point of view it is preferable to employ a lava
which is rich in potassa, such as the lava known as leucitic lava, that is to say,
lava containing crystals of leucite or idiocrase, capable of yielding more than twenty
per cent. of potassa. The other principal elements composing this lava are silica,
alumina, iron, lime, magnesia, and a small quantity of phosphorus.
When this lava after pulverisation is exposed to the action of sulphuric acid
diluted to about forty degrees Beaume, a solution is obtained containing the
following substances, vict.:-
Q.
This residuum when acted upon by bisulphate of potassium at a temperature of
six hundred degrees centigrade yields a small quantity of the substances hereinbefore
enumerated but with a large proportion of alum.
When the lava is ncted on by hydrochloric acid at twelve degrees Beaumé in
lieu of the sulphuric acid, the reaction is much stronger; the operation should be
performed without heat in this case, and it will be found that the decomposition
of the lava is then more complete than when sulphuric acid is employed.
This treatment produces a pulpy gelatinous magma (owing to the undissolved
silica which is set free) being composed of the following elements, viz. :—
Chloride of aluminium,
Chloride of iron,
Chloride of magnesium,
Phosphoric acid,
Soluble silica,
Gelatinous silica,
with a residuum consisting of a few crystals of leucite or white garnet.
By suitably diluting and filtering the pulp the residuum may be separated, and
the liquid collected (and hereinafter termed "lava syrup") will contain all the
Boluble salts hereinbefore enumerated, and which are extremely deliquescent.
In order to prevent this deliquescence when desired it will be sufficient to add a
quantity of calcined alunite.
For the preparation of these products special appliances are not required. Any
suitable grinding apparatus may be employed for pulverising the lava, and vessels
constructed of wood or other material proof against acid, and provided with
stirrers or agitators, may be employed for mixing the ground lava with the acids.
The improved process is capable of very numerous and important applications,
some of the principal of which are hereinafter described, it being understood that
in these various applications it is optional to employ either the means hereinbefore
described or the lava syrup which contains all the useful qualities of the same :-
The treatment of fecal matter may be carried out in the following manner.
Fecal matter always contains a certain proportion of ammoniacal salts, and in order
to collect these salts, the chief value of which consists in the nitrogen which they
yield, from, say, about one to two and a half per cent. of common raw sulphuric
acid is first added, the quantity being in proportion to the condition of the matter
to be treated, and the mixing is effected by stirring in suitable agitating apparatus
of dimensions corresponding to the quantity of matter to be treated.
The lava magma is then introduced in the proportion of, say, not more than
about 5 parts by weight of the magma to 100 parts by the weight of the fecal
matter, which is previously incorporated with sulphuric acid, and the agitating
apparatus is again set in motion, whereupon, after the lapse of about ten minutes,
the fecal matter will be found to have been permanently deprived of its offensive
pdour.
The question is then completed by adding, say, about one part by weight of

page_text: heavy oil of tar or resin, or, preferably, empyreumatic lime, in the agitating
apparatus, after which the reaction is allowed to proceed for, say, about 24 hours,
and the operation is completed.
In order to obtain a complete manure highly destructive to insects, there may
be added to the product phosphate of lime in powder, which at the same time
neutralises the excess of acid, and a small quantity of alunite calcined in the presence
of chloride of potassium may also be added, whereby a manuro will be produced
which contains as much nitrogen as the nature of the fecal matter employed will
allow, together with a large proportion of potassa and phosphoric acid in a soluble
condition, the manuro being at the same time destructivo to insects and inodourous.
It will then be simply necessary to dry or desiccate this product in order to
deprive it of the excess of liquid which it contains, by employing any suitable drying
process for this purpose, but always on the condition, when heat is employed, that
the temperature is not raised above, say, two hundred degrees centigrade.
This desiccation is accomplished without emitting any injurious or offensive odour
or gas, and an inodourous powder is thus obtained, which is permanently impu-
trescible so long as it is stored under ordinary conditions, it being impossible for
fermentation to take place otherwise than very slowly and gradually, when exposed
to the influence of the natural agents in the soil in which it is employed and buried,
where it acts as a manure and powerful stimulant to vegetation, and at the same
time destroys insects.
In practice the lava magma may be employed in the cesspool itself by introducing
it when the contents of the cesspool are removed, but it is preferable to introduce
it continuously in a small stream, allowing the reagent to fall into the cesspool
drop by drop.
The value of the product to agriculturists may be increased by the addition,
according to the special requirements, of all agents which are considered necessary,
such, for example, as soluble phosphates, bone dust, or torrefied leather, and the like,
or by employing a larger proportion of empyreumatic lime or calcined alunite.
In applying the Invention to the preservation of a piece of the flesh of any
animal or fish it will be sufficient to soak it for a few hours, according to the size
of the piece, in the lava syrup prepared as herein before described, or when the
object to be treated is of large size the operation may be performed by injection.
The piece is thus rendered imputrescible, being tanned and hardened rapidly. It
will contain, however, a small quantity of chloride of aluminium, uncombined and
deliquescent, but this may be remedied by soaking it after hardening in a solution
of a carbonate of ammonia, or potassa soda, and the like; the dried pieco of flesh
inay then be preserved for an indefinite period.
In manufactories in which animal refuse is submitted to operations having for
their object the extraction of the useful elements, putrid decomposition and
emission of unwholesome odours may be prevented by introducing a small quantity
of lava syrup into the boilers or vessels in which the refuse is treated, the proportion
depending upon the nature of the substances to be operated upon. If preferred,
the refuse may be soaked or macerated in the lava liquid before being operated on,
as the grain will not be injuriously affected by the action of the syrup or magma
prepared as herein before described."
The elements of fermentation in sewage, stagnant water, and the like, may also
be immediately destroyed by the introduction thereinto of a small quantity of lava
syrup, as this agent instantaneously coagulates all the soluble or insoluble organic
matter contained in such liquids.
The lava magma or syrup may be employed with great advantage in hospitals,
barracks, and other places where large quantities of infectious liquids are produced.
In the case of sewage, the introduction of the lava magma or syrup produces a
precepitate without any perceptible odour, constituting a first class manure of
superior quality and very rich in potassa, whereby it is rendered well adapted to
the cultivation of the vine.
The liquid which remains will have become clear and of a certain colour whilst

page_text: it indicates an acid reaction, which may be readily neutralized by lime or other
suitable reagent.
The action of the lava syrup upon bodies or carcasses of animals that have died of
disease and have been cut up into suitable pieces enables such bodies to be buried
in the soil without danger of unpleasant consequences, as all the germs of contagion
will have been destroyed. The effect will be still more complete if care is taken to
add a small quantity of alunite calcined with chloride of potassium, and a small
quantity of empyreumatic lime to such refuse.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Henry Johnson in the. Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th
May 1881.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincolns' Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE
SUBSTANCES." A communication from abroad by Alfred Jean Huet, of Paris, in the
Republic of France.
The said Invention relates to an improved process applicable to the treatment of
animal or vegetable substances, and it has for its object, first, preventing the
putrefaction of the said substance, together with the liberation of the gases.
generated, and thereby obviating the fetid odours resulting from such decom-
position; secondly, destroying the putrid or morbid germs which constitute the
chief cause of a large number of epidemics; thirdly, removing and destroying all
the insects and animal or vegetable germs which abound in fermenting matter and
extend their ravages in all directions, especially in agriculture; fourthly, producing
by means of the improved treatment of the said substances a manure of great
strength, and which is rendered capable by the addition of certain substances
properly selected of being employed in the cultivation of plants of all descriptions,
and of protecting the latter at the same time from the attacks of parasites.
These results are obtained with facility and economy by means of the said
Invention, first, by employing different descriptions of lava or rocks of analogous
composition which have undergone a preliminary transformation, as hereinafter
described, and, secondly, by mixing the said lava or aluminous rock after such trans-
formation with a product resulting from the oxidation of heavy oils of tar by the
action of atmospheric agents with the intervention of hydrate of lime, which forms
what may be termed empyreumatic lime, and also by the addition of alunite calcined
in the presence of chloride of potassium.
Any description of lava having a base of alumina, lime, and potash may be
employed, but from an agricultural point of view it is preferable to employ a lava
which is rich in potash, such as the lava known as leucitic lava, that is to say, lava
containing crystals of leucite or idiocrase, capable of yielding more than twenty
per cent. of potash. The other principal elements composing this lava are silica,
alumina, iron, lime, magnesia, and a small quantity of phosphorus.
When this lava, after pulverization, is exposed to the action of sulphuric acid
diluted to about forty degrees Beaumé a solution is obtained containing the
following substances, videlicet:—
Phosphoric acid,
with a residuum proof against the acid, and rich in potash and alumina.
This residuum when acted on by bisulphate of potash at a temperature of six
hundred degrees centigrade yields a small quantity of the substances hereinbefore
enumerated, but with a large proportion of alum.
When the lava is acted on by hydrochloric acid at only twelve degrees Beaumé
in lieu of the sulphuric acid the reaction is much stronger; the operation should be
performed without heat in this case, and it will be found that the decomposition of
the lava is then more complete than when sulphuric acid is employed.

page_text: Chloride of magnesium,
Phosphoric acid,
Soluble silica,
Gelatinous silica,
with a residium consisting of a few crystals of leucite or white garnet.
By suitably diluting and filtering the pulp the residuum may be separated, and
the liquid (hereinafter termed lava syrup) which is collected will contain all the
soluble salts hereinbefore enumerated and which are extremely deliquescent.
In order to prevent this deliquescence, when desired it will be sufficient to add a
quantity of calcined alunite.
For the preparation of these products special appliances are not required; any
suitable grinding apparatus may be employed for pulverising the lava, and vessels
constructed of wood or other material proof against acid, and provided with stirrers
or agitators, may be employed for mixing the ground lava with the acids.
It has been ascertained that among rocks of analogous mineralogical composition,
that is to say, among aluminous rocks, there exists a certain number, chiefly
consisting of the class known as bauxite, volcanic, tupas, puzzolonas, and the like,
which are capable of producing the same effect as described with reference to the
lavas and alunites.
These substances may be submitted either in a heated or cold condition to the
action of acids, and more especially sulphuric and hydrochloric acid, whereby highly
aluminous magmas are produced, which act in a similar manner to the magma
obtained from lava, although not so rapidly and powerfully as the latter. The
power of the former is increased by the addition of alkaline and earthy salts, such
as potash, magnesia, lime, and the like.
Analogous but less perfect results may also be obtained (although at greater cost
than when the natural products are employed), by preparing an artificial mixture
of these various salts, more especially in the condition of the chlorides produced in
manufacturing processes.
The improved process is capable of very numerous and important applications,
some of the principal of which are hereinafter described, it being understood that
in these various applications it is optional to employ either the means hercinbefore
described or the lava syrup which contains all the useful qualities of the same.
The treatment of fecal manner may be carried out in the following manner :-
Fecal matter always contains a certain proportion of ammoniacal salts, and in
order to collect these salts, the chief value of which consists in the nitrogen which
they yield, from, say, about one to two and a half per cent. of tho crude sulphuric
acid of commerce is first added, the quantity being in proportion to the condition
of the materials to be treated, and the mixing is effected by stirring in suitable
agitating apparatus of dimensions corresponding to the quantity of matter
employed.
The lava magma is then introduced in the proportion of, say, not more than about
five parts by weight of the magma to one hundred parts by weight of the fecal
matter, which is previously incorporated with sulphuric acid, and the agitating
apparatus is again set in motion, whereupon after the lapse of about ten minutes
the fecal matter will be found to have been permanently deprived of its offensivo
odour.
The operation is then completed by adding, say, about one part by weight of
heavy oil of tar or resin, or preferably empyreumatic lime, in the agitating apparatus,
after which the reaction is allowed to proceed for about twenty four hours and the
operation is completed.
In order to obtain an efficient manure highly destructive to insects there may be
added to the products phosphate of lime in powder, which at the same time

page_text: neutralises the excess of acid, and a small quantity of alunite calcined in the
presence of chloride of potassium may also be added, whereby a manure will be
produced which contains as much nitrogen as the nature of the fecal matter..
employed will allow, together with a large proportion of potash and phosphoric
acid in a soluble condition, the manure being at the same time destructive to
insects and inodourous.
It will then be simply necessary to dry or desiccate this product in order to
deprive it of the excess of liquid which it contains by employing any suitablo
drying process for this purpose, on the condition however, when heat is employed,
that the temperature is not raised above, say, two hundred degrees centigrade.
This desiccation is accomplished without emitting any injurious or offensive:
odour or gas, and an inodourous powder is thus obtained, which is permanently
imputrescible so long as it is stored under ordinary conditions, it being impossiblo
for fermentation to take place otherwise than very slowly and gradually when
exposed to the influence of the natural agents in the soil in which it is employed
and buried, where it acts as a manure and powerful stimulant to vegetation, and at
the same time effectually destroys insects.
In practice, the lava magma may be employed in the cesspool itself by introducing
it when the contents of the cesspool are removed, but it is preferable to introduce
it continuously in a small stream, allowing the reagent to fall into the cesspool drop
by drop. This may be effected without difficulty, and the advantages resulting
from such an arrangement are obvious.
The value of the product to agriculturists may be enhanced by the addition,
according to the special requirements, of any agents which may be considered
desirable, such for example as soluble phosphates, bone dust, or torrefied leather,
and the like, or by employing a larger proportion of empyreumatic lime or calcined
alunite.
In applying the Invention to the preservation of a piece of the flesh of -any
animal or fish it will be sufficient to soak the said piece for a few hours, according
to its size, in the lava syrup prepared as heroin before described, or when the object
to be treated is of large size the operation may be performed by injection. The
piece is thus rendered imputrescible, being tanned at the same time, and soon
becomes hard. It will contain however a small quantity of chloride of aluminium
uncombined and deliquescent, but this may be remedied by soaking it after it has
become hard in a solution of a carbonate of ammonia or of potash, soda, and the
like; the dried piece of flesh may then be preserved for an indefinite period.
This property will be of use to anatomist, scientists, and even in certain cases
where medical evidence is required in courts of justice.
In manufactories in which animal refuse is submitted to operations having for
their object the extraction of the useful elements, putrid decomposition and
emission of noxious exhalations or odours may be prevented by introducing a small
quantity of lava syrup into the boilers or vessels in which the refuse is treated, the
proportion depending upon the nature of the substances.to be operated upon.
preferred the refuse may be soaked or macerated in the lava liquid before being
operated on, as the grease will not be injuriously affected by the action of the syrup
or magma prepared as hereinbefore described.
If
The elements of fermentation in all descriptions of sewage, stagnant water, and
the like, may also be immediately destroyed by the introduction thereinto of a
small quantity of lava syrup, as this agent instantaneously coagulates all the
soluble or insoluble organic matter contained in such liquids.
The lava magma or syrup may be employed with great advantage in hospitals,
barracks, and other places where large quantities of pestilential or infectious liquids
are produced or accumulated.
In the case of sewage the introduction of the lava magma or syrup produces a
precipitate without any perceptible odour, constituting a manure of superior
quality and very rich in potash, whereby it is rendered well adapted to the
cultivation of the vine.

page_text: The liquid which remains will have become clear and of a certain tinge, whilst it
indicates an acid reaction which may be readily neutralized by lime or any other
suitable reagent.
The action of the lava syrup upon the bodies or carcasses of animals that have
died of disease and have been cut up into suitable pieces enables such carcasses to be
buried in the soil without danger, as all the germs of contagion will have been
destroyed. The effect will be still more complete if care is taken to add a small
quantity of alunite calcined with chloride of potassium and a small quantity of
empyreumatic lime to such refuse.
Animal refuse from butchers' shops, markets, restaurants, and the like, when
secured from fermentation by contact with the magma, are found to be capable,
even after the lapse of several months, of yielding grease or fat of excellent
quality.
Refuse of this description, after boiling, produces tallow that is hard, white, and
of good odour, in lieu of the green and offensive grease which is extracted by the
ordinary process of treatment, and moreover the liquor remaining after such boiling
also remains imputrescible and inodourous.
The applications herein before described by way of example will be sufficient to
demonstrate the utility of the process with its mode of application and the results
that may be obtained under various circumstances.
The several parts of the Invention may be employed separately or in any
combination according to the requirements to be met in applying the treatment of
animal and vegetablo matters herein before described.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invntion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and
original and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbeforo in
part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The preparation of lava syrup or magma by means of aluminous and
potassic lava or of their equivalents herein set forth, and the use of such lava, syrup,
or magma for the treatment of animal or vegetable substances, substantially as and
for the purposes hereinbefore described.
Second. The employment for the treatment of animal or vegetable substances of
alunite calcined in presence of chloride of potassium, substantially as herein before
described.
Third. The employment of empyreumatic lime, obtained as herein set forth, in
conjunction with the other substances herein mentioned, substantially as and for
the purposes herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my
Specification set iny hand and seal, this Ninth day of May, One thousand
night hundred and sighty one
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)