To develop and then to fix the design thus obtained I wash rapidly the paper in ordinary water,
or better, in water holding chalk in suspension. The red coloration disappears, a part of the
iron perchloride is washed out, and in the parts which have not been acted on by light the
perchloride is transformed into sesquioxide. I replace then the water by solution of gallic acid or
of tannin and the image progressively appears in ink-black. When I judge the image to be
sufficiently intense I wash the proof in rain water, in preference to ordinary water, which
might cause the gallic acid and tannin to turn brown. I sponge between sheets of blotting paper
and let the proof dry spontaneously.
Pg. 43, Photographic Reproduction Processes
by P.C. Duchochois