Historic antifreeze

I am working on a container of unidentified liquid, with a label 'a
little of this amongst the water helps to prevent freezing', from
Shackleton's hut at Cape Royds (1907-1909 expedition) in Antarctica.
I have been unable to find any solid information by Internet search
on historic antifreeze. I think it is ethylene glycol, but have no
way to check. I'd like to be able to positively identify the
contents and was wondering if anyone has information on what was
used as antifreeze at this time and if it is possible to identify it
without access to sophisticated testing equipment or materials?

Jane Hamill
Conservator
Antarctic Heritage Trust


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:48
                  Distributed: Tuesday, April 19, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-24-48-030
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