the Nutritious Portion of Bones, 8^c. 61 



vast continent of the New World ; and Missolonghi surrendered 

 under similar circumstances, notwithstanding the heroism of 

 its defenders. 



Though the process which I have recommended for extract- 

 ing gelatine is generally the best, circumstances may render 

 the old method necessary ; and fortresses should consequently 

 be provided with crushing-machines and digesters. The 

 chemical process, for instance, would be impracticable where 

 the acid could not be obtained ; neither could it be used 

 without abundance of water, for the purpose of washing away 

 the acid from the animal texture, which is an operation indis- 

 pensably necessary. 



In order to avoid all misconception, I beg distinctly to state, 

 that what I propose is not intended as a substitute for other 

 and better provisions, but merely as a precautionary suste- 

 nance, to which garrisons may have recourse when other means 

 are exhausted. It has been objected, that the gelatine of 

 bones is insipid, and, consequently, disagreeable ; but it 

 may be rendered savoury by means of different substances, 

 which are easily procured, such as salt, spices, and vegetables. 

 It must also be remembered, that man, exposed to famine, is 

 not so particular with regard to his nourishment; as is proved 

 by many instances of garrisons, which have been fed on sub- 

 stances the most insipid, unpalatable, and disgusting. As a 

 proof of this, a circumstance may be mentioned, related to me 

 by General Rapp, which took place during the last siege of 

 Dantzic : — that the French, when they had eaten horses, rats, 

 and dogs, had recourse at last to broth made of old planks, — a 

 dish, not merely unpalatable, but devoid of all nutritious matter. 



The remaining portion of M. de Gimbernat's communica- 

 tion, which will appear in our ensuing number, is dedicated to 

 the friends of the Greeks. It impresses the necessity of the 

 utmost economy of provisions, and points out several important 

 applications of the process above described, by which the 

 author hopes that the surrender of fortresses, in consequence of 

 famine, may become a circumstance of comparatively rare oc- 

 currence. 



