340 On the Edulcoratioli of Jfiish* Oil * 
clients that are proper for the purifying of oils, with a 
view to commercial advantages. 
Sea salt has an antiseptic power on the mixed solid 
parts of animals ; but used alone, or dissolved in water, 
it does not appear to lessen the putrid foetor of oils, but, 
on the contrary, rather increases it. If after their com- 
mixture with it they are subjected to heat, it rather de- 
praves than improves the oils ; bitt though by its own im- 
mediate action on them it conduces so little to the edul- 
coration of oils, yet it is a medium for the separation of 
water and the alkaline substances requisite to be employ- 
ed to that end. It is of great utility in the edulcoralive 
processes; for when alkaline salts or earths combine 
with the water necessary to their action on the oils, or 
themselves form coagulums or corrections with it, a solu- 
tion of salt will loosen the bond and dissolve the close 
union ; so that the oil being separated will float on the 
aqueous fluid, w 7 hile the earth, if any be in the mixture, 
will be precipitated and sink close together to the bottom 
of the containing vessel. 
Sal catharticus, glauber salt, nitrum vitriolatum, tar- 
tar, and other neutral salts, though they counteract pu- 
trefaction in the mixed or solid parts of animals, seem to 
have little effect on oils with respect to their edulcora- 
tion, and cannot therefore be ranked amongst the sub- 
stances proper to be used for that purpose. 
Lead reduced to the state of a calx, either in the form 
of minium or litharge, has a strong edulcorative power 
on foetid oils, and is indeed applied to that end, with 
respect to one kind of vegetable oil, for a very bad pur- 
pose, considering its malignant qualities on the human 
body. 
In the case of train-oil, which will scarcely ever be 
considered among the esculent kinds in this country, the 
same objection against its use would not lie ; and employ 
