122 STATES OF THE RIVER PLATE. 



It strikes me that in the absence of any thoroughly 

 efficient method of preserving our beef in its solid form, 

 so as to retain the greater part of its nutriment, we might 

 advantageously look to those materials and appliances 

 which are the direct causes of depriving the solid sub- 

 stance of its nutriment, to furnish us, in a concentrated 

 form, with the nutriment they so readily dissolve out of 

 the flesh. 



I have spoken of the action of the acid of salt mu- 

 riatic acid in extracting the food properties from the meat. 



For many years, to my own knowledge (and I have sug- 

 gested its use to many persons with much benefit), there 

 has been what is called the ' cold soup of beef ' used in 

 hospitals in Europe, and by many eminent physicians, who 

 have found it to be in the highest degree nutritious, and 

 unequalled in tonic or vivifying powers. This prepara- 

 tion is simply the lean of beef perfectly fresh (and the 

 sooner after killing the better), cut up into small pieces, 

 and put, with rather more than twice its weight of cold 

 water, into a vessel, a few drops of muriatic acid being 

 added at the rate of eight drops to a pound of meat, and 

 a little salt. In an hour's time the whole of the nutri- 

 ment will be extracted from the flesh, and there only 

 remains to strain it carefully, and the soup is ready for 

 use. This soup is taken cold ; if heated, it forms a deposit, 

 coagulum, and it would be less easy of digestion. 



Again, I learned from the same authority the eminent 

 chemist before named that by simply placing chopped 

 lean of beef or mutton (all fat, gelatine, or tendons being 

 carefully removed*) in a vessel with a little cold water, 



* The theory of nutriment existing in gelatinous or tendonous substances 

 is completely exploded in scientific and professional circles, and those which 

 are in contact with them. Nevertheless, there are many who still entertain 

 such an idea, whose opportunities have not been such as to lead to a better 

 understanding. 



