Historic antifreeze

Jane Hamill <j.hamill [at] scott__aq> writes

>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?

We are assuming that the antifreeze was for the motor car.

The antifreeze was not a coolant, AKA ethyl glycol, since the car
had an air-cooled engine.  See

    <URL:http://www.nzaht.org/
        content/library/The_First_Motor_Car_on_the_Continent.pdf>

A list of the expedition supplies can be found at

    <URL:http://www.nzaht.org/content/library/
        Extract_from_CR_Conservation_Plan_List_of_Supplies1.pdf>

       "Price's Non-freezing oil
        White Rose Oil
        Methylated spirits
        Kerosene for lamps
        Petrol for motor car"

Perhaps it was an antifreeze for drinking water.

    **** Moderator's comments: The above URLs have been wrapped for
    email. There should be no newlines.

Alan Hawk
Collections Manager, Historical Collections
National Museum of Health and Medicine
Medical Research and Materiel Command
PO Box 59685
Washington DC 20012-0685
202-782-2205, DSN 662-2205
Fax: 202-782-3573, DSN 662-3573


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:50
                    Distributed: Monday, May 2, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-24-50-004
                                  ***