"I need to run down to the chemistry department and have a TA take me through the reaction step by step."
If you do this Tom, please inform us as well. We are allowing our bodies to be chemistry labs in this protocol. Also ask why there is no problem adding water to acid. This is probably nonsense; since it is such a weak acid. I just remember, from my educ. in 1965 chemistry, that you should add acid to water; not water to acid. Stupid me to forget why.