EXTEACT OF MEAT. 
295 
So off he starts at once to talk with the author of the 
book, to tell him of his plan, to hear his opinion, and 
to ask for his advice. The chemist, who, sixteen years 
before, had obtained his pure essence of meat, is over- 
joyed at the meeting; for he was well aware of its qualities 
and of the good that would follow, could it only be brought 
into general use. Often had he wished that its production 
were possible, so as to place it within the reach of all, that 
men might buy it even as they buy bread. But he clearly 
saw the insurmountable difficulty ; for to obtain one pound 
of essence thirty-two pounds of meat are wanted ; and it 
were no advantage, in a pecuniary point of view, to furnish 
in one form a thing that could be had for the same price 
in another. But still he hoped that what he believed would 
prove so great a blessing might one day be realized. He 
had made his analysis, and he trusted that another would turn 
it to good account. 
And behold ! that man has come ! He comes to say that 
though in Europe, where beef is dear, it were useless to make 
such essence, he knows a land where meat costs next to 
nothing, and to that country he will go and make his nutritious, 
extract, and send it hither for general use, and at a price 
which shall place it within the reach of rich and poor alike. 
Then the two men, each furnishing the completing circum- 
stance which alone rendered the cherished plan of the other 
possible, discuss the matter together. The one gives his 
scientific knowledge ; gives the result of all his examinations, 
experiments, and trials. The other accepts this as stock-in- 
trade : he orders boilers, steam-engines, and all necessary 
apparatus ; has a plan for a building laid down, with store- 
houses -and workmen's dwellings ; and leaving wife and family 
in Europe behind him, starts off again with half his fortune 
for La Plata, there to put in operation and carry out the 
thought that first germed in his brain fourteen years ago 
on the plains of South America. And so, God willing, we, 
in a month or two, shall have in our kitchens and hospitals 
the juice and essence of the strong oxen now feeding on the 
Pampas. 
But let us examine what this preparation is, — this new 
boon for man,^^ which our two men, each unknown to the 
other, have for years been brooding* over, and would not 
give up the idea of one day realizing. First, how is it 
obtained ? 
From a certain quantity of fresh beef every particle of fat, 
bone, and tendon is carefully removed. It is then chopped up 
and placed in a vessel, with a small quantity of water, in a 
v/ater-bath, great care being taken to remove the albuminous 
