A known mass of an organic compound is heated with fuming nitric acid in the presence of silver nitrate contained in a hard glass tube known as carius tube, in a furnace. Carbon and hydrogen present in the compound are oxidised to carbon dioxide and water.
A predetermined quantity of an organic matter is heated using concentrated nitric acid with silver nitrate contained in a hard glass container designated as a carious tube inside a furnace. Carbon and hydrogen constituents within the compound are oxidized into carbon dioxide and water.