[ 525 ] 
of a Minute or two may be allowed, arifing from 
the Indiftindnefs of the ‘Penumbra. 
II. A Continuation of the Experiments on Sub - 
fiances rep ft in? Putrefa&ion ; by John 
Pringle M. D F. R . S. 
Read Nov, i-TJAVING in my laft Paper in the pre- 
1750 XJL ceding Number of thefe Tranf- 
attionSy p. 480, &c. juft mentioned the compara- 
tive Force of a few Salts, and other Subftances refitt- 
ing Putrefadion, I fhall now lay before the Society 
a more particular Account of thofe Experiments, 
with fome others, fince made, on that Subjed. 
1. Three Pieces of the Lean of frelh Beef, each 
weighing two Drachms, were put feparately into 
wide-mouth'd Phials. Two Ounces of Ciftern- Water 
were added to each ; in one were diffolved 30 Grains 
of Sea- Salt ; in another 60 ; but the third contained 
nothing but Flefh and Water. Thefe Bottles were 
little more than half-full; and, being corked, were 
placed in a Lamp-Furnace, regulated by a Thermo- 
ter, and kept about the Degree of human Heat. 
About ten or twelve Hours after, the Contents of 
the Phial without Salt had a faint Smell ; and in 
three or four Hours more were putrid *. In an 
Hour 
* It is to be obferved, that thefe Pieces were all intire ; but when 
they are beat to the Confiftence of a Pap, with the fame Quantity of 
Water, the Putrefaction then begins in lefs than half the Time men^ 
tioned here. 
X x x 2 
