An analysis of several varieties of British and Foreign salt (muriate of soda), with a view to explain their fitness for different economical purposes

Abstract

An opinion having for some time prevailed, both in this and in other countries, to the prejudice of British salt as a preserver of animal food, and large sums of money being annually paid to foreign nations, in conformity to this opinion, for the supply of an article which Great Britain possesses beyond almost any other country in Europe, Dr. Henry has been induced to undertake the present inquiry, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the preference of foreign salt be founded on accurate experiments, or merely a matter of prejudice; and in the former case, whether any chemical difference could be discovered that would explain that superiority. The subject is divided into three p arts: in the first of which are contained, general observations on the different kinds of salt manufactured, and the modes of preparing them. The second division contains the general statement of the results of the experiments, and conclusions deducible from them. But since a long detail of analytical processes must be uninteresting to very many persons, to whom the results will be acceptable, the description of the method employed by Dr. Henry, in his analysis, is reserved for the last section, in which (as the author observes) are not to be expected any novelties in science, but merely a careful selection and 'employment of known processes.