36 Dr Davy on the Action of Lime 
August. Portions of various textures were immersed, as mentioned 
above. They were taken from a subject in a state of incipient pu- 
trefaction, and they inhaled a fetid smell. On immersion in the 
lime and water, as might be expected, they gave off a strong am- 
moniacal odour. They were first examined on the 24th of Sep- 
tember. ‘They were then all in excellent preservation, swollen but 
not corroded, nor their delicate tissue injured. They were next 
examined seven months after, viz. on the 5th of May of the year 
following. The report was equally favourable : it is stated that they 
were much in the same state as before, the texture of each part dis- 
tinct, and the part, as a whole, easily distinguishable. They were 
left undisturbed nearly two years, until the 6th April 1832, when, on 
examination, they were found to have undergone material change. 
The cuticle had become soft and transparent, ashad also the dura 
mater, admitting of being torn with the greatest ease. The muscle 
appeared to be converted into adipocire, which was quite white,— 
had no unpleasant smell,—was friable when dried, and burned with 
a bright flame, without any unpleasant smell. The other parts were 
not distinguishable. Most of the lime was converted into carbonate 
of lime,—atmospheric air not having been entirely excluded. 
The second experiment recorded was commenced in the beginning 
of October. Portions of aorta, dura mater, intestine, skin, cellular 
tissue, muscle and tendon, were similarly treated. The results were 
examined on the 5th May following. Then, on opening the bottle, 
an ammoniacal, but no putrid smell was perceptible. The parts 
were found well preserved, excepting the fatty matter contained in 
the cellular tissue, which had become of an opaque white, and friable, 
from combination with the alkaline earth, and conversion into soap. 
The tendon, it is mentioned, was somewhat distended, and rendered 
more transparent, but not gelatinized; and so, also, in a less degree, 
were the dura mater and cutis; and the last was deprived of its 
cuticle and hair. 
Some other experiments were made, but, as the results were very 
similar, it would be tedious to describe them. I may state, gene- 
rally, that with the exception of cuticle, nail, and perhaps hair, lime 
exerted, on the different textures on which it was tried, no destruc- 
tive power, but a contrary influence,—and more particularly a well- 
marked antiseptic one. It has been stated how certain parts, in the 
first experiment, lost the putrid odour which they had acquired when 
immersed in lime and water. Moreover, it appears from notes of 
experiments, that after animal substances have been fully subjected 
to the action of lime, they ceased to be putrescent ; they resisted pu- 
trefaction, whether placed in air or plunged and kept in common 
water. I shall mention one instance. On the 13th of May 1830, 
a portion of ileum, with mesentery attached, and a portion of mus- 
cular part of heart, with chorde tending, were placed in a large jar 
of transparent lime-water, and covered with cerate cloth. Examined 
