The vote of thanks was carried unanimously.
An Improved Boracic Acid-Glycerine Compound.
The following is the invention of an American, William S. Fickett of Rochester, N. Y., and is an improved process of combining boracic acid with glycerine for preservative purposes. (Patent No. 285,350.)
“My invention consists in a new mode of producing a new preservative compound from boracic acid and glycerine, as hereinafter described. Heretofore by one method* such a compound has been produced from these ingredients by heating glycerine to near its boiling point and adding boracic acid until it ceases to be dissolved, and maintaining that mixture to a temperature of 200 deg. centigrade as long as water is given off, etc.
* Doubtless the Barff process—[author].
“Now my process consists in taking equal quantities of glycerine and crystallized boracic acid, placing the same in a closed or sealed vessel, and then applying heat at about 300 deg. Fahrenheit for about two hours, which causes the boracic acid to dissolve and blend with the glycerine. On cooling it forms without loss of weight into on opalescent semi-solid, freely soluble in cold water, entirely devoid of bitter or metallic taste, and communicating no objectionable taste to butter or like delicate foods. When thus produced it is an unfailing preventive of fermentation and decay in animal and vegetable matter or fluid compounds.”
The following is a different process of using boracic acid, and explains itself:
James Howard, Philadelphia, Pa.; composition for preserving foods. (Patent No. 276,246.)
“I have discovered a method of obtaining a chemical compound of boracic acid for the production of which neither solution nor the employment of heat is necessary, the salt being formed by the union of the component substances in a dry state, so that the difficulties of solution and of loss through volitization is avoided. Moreover the compound has anti-septic properties distinct from those of the acid, due to one of the other elements thereof, and is tasteless.
“I take preferably not less than 5 parts by weight of pure boracic acid in crystals, and add thereto 1 part of pure phosphate of soda. The ingredients are mixed together dry, in a mill or other suitable grinding apparatus, and as the chemical reaction between them progresses the whole, or practically the whole, of the acid crystals lose their structure, and the mass can be ground until it assumes a pasty or doughy condition. The result is boro-phosphate of soda, containing more or less free boracic acid, according to the excess thereof used above the proportions given. The moisture yielded by the chemical reaction is evaporated at the ordinary temperature by exposure to the air without loss of boracic acid, and the dry amorphous salt thus produced is readily ground. It may be used either as a dry powder or may be dissolved in water and applied in the usual modes to the substances to be preserved. If desired other substances, such as salt and saltpeter, may be added to the boro-phosphate compound, and the whole mixed thoroughly by regrinding.”