Taylor. — Preservation of Fish by Salt 



127 



siderable damage may be done before the salt has reached the 

 innermost parts of the fish. Now, these two processes, salt 

 penetration and autolysis, are runing a race, so to say; if the 

 salt penetrates to the innermost parts before autolysis has de- 

 stroyed them, the salt wins the race, and the fish is saved; if, 

 before the salt can get to the innermost parts, they have been 

 decomposed by autolysis to an intolerable degree, then auto- 

 lysis wins and the fish spoils. High temperatures accelerate both 

 processes but while accurate measurements have not been made, 

 we know by practical experience that at high temperatures 

 spoilage is increased much more than penetration of salt, so that 

 at a sufficiently elevated temperature the fish will invariably 

 spoil. Now, to make certain that the race mentioned shall 

 always be won by the salt, we may do one of two things, viz., 

 retard the rate of decomposition or accelerate the penetration of 

 salt. Working at a lower temperature is the only practicable 

 means of retarding decomposition, but since we desire a method 

 suitable for warm climates it is necessary to accelerate penetra- 

 tion of salt. How can the salt be caused to penetrate fish more 

 rapidly ? 



The physiologists have shown that in living animals salts of 

 calcium, barium and magnesium have a marked effect in retard- 

 ing or arresting penetration of membranes. By examination of 

 numerous analyses of commercial brands of salt it was found 

 that the salts of calcium and magnesium are those nearly always 

 present as impurities. A few of these analyses are given here- 

 with, as reported by Tressler and others. 



Analysis of Various Salts for Curing Fish 



