MICRO-CHEMICAL EXAMINATION OF EXTRACT OP FLESH. 
203 
I with, the intention of illustrating the different forms of crystals which we have 
j observed in two or three of our mountings ; neither can we pretend to identify 
i them with precision, as they do not precisely agree with any of our other 
! specimens. The original sample of extract is somewhat opaque and muddy- 
looking, and not of good flavour. The diffusate by dialysis yielded a much 
I larger proportion of crystafline salts than its general character would have 
[ led us to suppose, resembling in this respect many of the finer samples that 
we have had opportunity of submitting to a similar test. 
; The well-known superiority of the Australian breeds of cattle makes us 
satisfied that our extensive colonies in that x^art of the world should produce 
an article equal to anything that can be prepared in our own laboratories. It 
is in no way remarkable that the first samples sent over should leave room for 
improvement.* 
Tig. 11 illustrates in the same way Professor Pettenkofer’s extract prepared 
from Bavarian beef: «, the insoluble in alcohol, is very similar to other good 
samples, containing kreatine and johosphates in fair proportion ; h, the alco¬ 
holic extract, gives only the crystals we believe to be chloride of potassium. 
Tig. 12 is the South American, and is very remarkable for the size of a 
large portion of its crystals. This is probably chiefly due to the length of 
time during which it has been left undisturbed in the original packages. 
The extractive matter in this sample is muddy and somewTat opaque, con¬ 
trasting somewhat in this relation to the Eurox)ean specimens. The alco¬ 
holic extract, h, shows nothing but beautiful minute tufts of chloride oi 
iwtassium. 
Tig. 8. In our remarks, when introducing the subject of extractum carnis 
1 for discussion at the Birmingham meeting of the Conference, the “ extract of 
I meat lozenges ” prepared by Messrs. Gillon were spoken of at some length; we 
j then stated that they appeared to be a genuine sam^fie of extract thickened 
i with starch, so as to preserve their consistence; but we have been informed 
since by a member of the firm that they contain no starch except what is used 
to prevent their sticking to the board in process of rolling out. However 
this may be, we do not know, but the proportion of the lozenges which we 
found to be insoluble in cold water, which consisted entirely of farinaceous 
matter, was such as to justify the belief we entertained, and our Tig. 8 a re¬ 
presenting the portion of some lozenges (which were previously divested as fiir 
as x)racticable of adhering starchy matter) remaining insoluble in alcohol will, 
we think, convince any one that we had sufficient ground for our statement. 
Since receiving the explanation referred to, which we are quite ready to 
adopt, we can only conclude that a much larger proportion of the starch is 
incoiqDorated than the makers are aware of. In other respects the “ insoluble ” 
I bears the ax»pearance of a fair, but somewhat gelatinous extract. The portion 
I soluble in alcohol, Tig. 8 h, leaves on evaporation minute crystals of chloride 
of potassium similar to those of the South American extract. 
The conclusions to be drawn from our observations are as follows :— 
Tirstly, that sux)posing an accurate knowledge to have been x)reviously ob- 
! tained of the nature of the appearances of a reliable sample, the microscope 
does afibrd a ready means of ascertaining proximately the value of extractum 
carnis ,—the sensible characters, such as colour, taste, and odour having 
been, as a matter of course, considered in the first place, and due weight as- 
' signed to them. 
Secondly, that the value of a sample is in direct relationship to its crystal- 
* A sample of more recent importation, since forwarded to us by our friend Mr. D. 
Ilanbury, confirms this opinion. It suffers little by comparison as to external characters 
with the South American. 
