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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Unpublished paper and letter, 'Experiments and observations on dry rot' by George Mansel

Reference number: AP/9/18

Date: 1820

Description

Mansel describes experiments carried out on an oak beam affected by dry rot to determine whether the vapour produced by smelting copper ore could prevent dry rot in timber. He deduces that the application of sulphate of iron or sulphuric acid closes the grain of timber, preventing dry rot. Preceded by covering letter from Mansel to unknown recipient.

Subject: Chemistry

Reference number
AP/9/18
Earliest possible date
1820
Physical description
Ink on paper
Page extent
9 pages
Format
Manuscript

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Citation

Unpublished paper and letter, 'Experiments and observations on dry rot' by George Mansel, 1820, AP/9/18, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/ap_9_18/unpublished-paper-and-letter-experiments-and-observations-on-dry-rot-by-george-mansel, accessed on 16 January 2026

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/ap_9_18/unpublished-paper-and-letter-experiments-and-observations-on-dry-rot-by-george-mansel

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  • Archived Papers

    The 'Archived Papers' collection is comprised of original manuscript scientific papers and letters submitted to the Royal Society which remained unpublished or were abstracted in the journal 'Proceedings of the Royal Society' published from 1830 onwards.

    Dates: 1768 - 1989

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