โ Scribed by Gershenfeld, Louis
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H. H. Schacfer inquired whether Mr. Crockett had made any attempt to purify the siliceous earth; whether the product was obtainable with dificulty because i t was not being imported to any great extent, and whether it was not likely that in the near future if there was demand there would be a n ample supply on the market.
Mr. Crockett answered that the purified siliceous earth had been formerly imported from Germany; there were large deposits in this country but it seemed impracticable to purify the native product which does not conform to the requirements of the U. S. Pharmacopoeia. He further stated that part of the City of Richmond was built on this deposit.
W. I,. Scoville was not prepared to vote on the question of recommending the deletion of purified siliceous earth from the Pharmacopoeia. There is a plentiful supply of i t in this country; the need is that it be purified. I n his opinion the pharmacist could use other substances to better advantage but it is used i n filter presses by manufacturing pharmacists and they obtain better results with it economically and otherwise than by use of other substances.
One of the oldest and perhaps one of the best methods practiced in the preservation of foodstuffs, drugs, etc., is the use of the process of desiccation. Within recent years the latter method has been extensively employed in the arts and sciences, not only because of the fact that the use of preservatives becomes unnecessary and that a great expense in transportation and storage is saved, but also due to the fact that numerous compounds can be made available for the laity, commerce, and for the scientist, which, merely by the addition of water, will result in the production of a desired end-product.
It will be impossible to cover in detail in a brief article the many products that may be included under this head; however, the important ones will be mentioned and facts which may be of interest to all will be included.
That dehydration is an effective method for the preservation of material was recognized by the ancients in the treatment of various fruits; it will, therefore, be advisable to first consider substances which may be regarded as foodstuffs, that
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