On the Tullic Utility of Medical Instituthm. 171 



mate proofs, in confirmation of the doctrine I have as- 

 sumed, the identity of silex and oxygen. 



This theory seems to be supported by such a mass of evi- 

 dence, that it is diffieuh to say where we should begin. 

 GeoJogy is, however, a source so prolific, that every spot of 

 the globe teems with examples : There is not a rock, frorti 

 the most huge and congregated lumps of matter, that rendet 

 the face of nature at otice awful and magnificent, tb the rnoflt 

 thfling pebble ; nor ii there a morsel of any mineral com- 

 ()ound, whether Jt be the brilliant gem or the most unfruitful 

 and degraded soil, where, if there bfe an earth, a metal, an 

 alkali, or any other salifiable or oxiuable element, the 

 saturation is not always due either to silex alone or to some 

 acid^ that is, consequently, something -conlainihg oxygen. 

 Such seems to be their equivalence, that when silex is ab^ 

 sent some acid must prevail ; and it neither be found in the 

 ass6ciation, then the earth, metal or alkali, whether potash 

 or soda, puts on its obvious and peculiar character, such as 

 taste, solubility, density, and the other generic qualities 

 proper to each species '■^■ 



^ After silcx, there is no substance so plentiful as lime, but 

 this is never found pure; it is either saturated with an acid, 

 c>f dwindles into a tasteless inert state of aggregation 

 with other bodies, where it is subdued and locked up by 

 silex ; so that, there is not a vestige remaining of its primi- 

 tive qualities, especially those of taste and solubility. 



That lime, even when pure, is a compound, there is little 

 room to doubt ; and that carbonate of lime, or chalk, is pro- 

 duced at the expense, and through the means, of the degra- 

 dation of silex, may probably (Reserve a candid and minutfe 



inquiry. 



[To be continued.] \ 



XXXIII On the Public UtiUhj of Medical Listilufions for 

 the Benefit of the Diseased Poor, 



To Mr, TillocJu 



SIR, 



JL HE foundation and support of the many medical esta- 

 blishments for the benefit of the diseased poor, not only iu 



the 



