The Use of Bones

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


A. E. Schmersahl, of England, has patented an improvement in the manufacture of gelatine, glue and manure from bones. The patentee obtains bones, and separates from them blood and such other substances which are soluble in water, so as to deprive them of putrescent matters, which, according to the usual manufacture, become mingled, or partially so, with the gelatine, c. The bones thus purified he treats with an acid, in order to dissolve the phosphate, or other salt of lime, leaving the gelatine in a solid state, which after being washed, may be used as an article of commerce, or boiled into a paste or jelly, ready for immediate use. The liquor in which the bones have been macerated he reserves, and extracts therefrom phosphorus or sal-ammoniac, and superphosphate of lime, applicable as a manure.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 13 Issue 12This article was published with the title “The use of Bones” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 13 No. 12 (), p. 96
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican11281857-96d

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe