ON PUTREFACTION* 



55 



bonic acid produced an augmentation in the bulk of the gases 

 proportional to its quantity. 



llth. Muriatic acid gas was passed up into a vessel filled nor by muri- 

 wilh gas over mercury — no change. at,c aci *» as * 



These experiments were abundantly sufficient to prove that 



there was no ammonia in the products of putrefaction, at least 



where it takes place without the influence of external causes. 



Secondly, I tested it for oxygen in the following manner. Tried by phos- 



n , i • , *Am . phorus ; no 



1st. A piece of phosphorus was passed up into a vessel filled combustion. 



with this gas and standing over mercury. The phosphorus 



was fused and became perfectly fluid, floating upon the surface 



of the mercury, by pouring boiling water upon the vessel. 



But there was not the slightest appearance of combustion. 



2d. Water was now passed into the same vessel, which was 

 tested for phosphoric acidly litmus— no change. 



3d. Nitrous gas was passed into a vessel filled with this gas by nitrous 

 over mercury — no change, except in the bulk proportional to ^jjj,J} 1DU * 

 the gas added. 



4th. Water was now passed up into the same vessel and 

 tested for nitric acid by litmus — no change. 



5th. A mouse was passed into a vessel of this gas which by a mouie. 

 instantly died. 



These experiments were deemed sufficient to prove the Conclusion; no 

 nonexistence of oxygen. sentf" 611 ^ 



Thirdly, It was now tested for sulphuretted hydrogen. 



1st. A piece of silver was placed in a vessel of this gas which Silver shewed 

 was not blackened or converted into a sulphuret when with- 11Q * ul P n « 

 drawn. A piece of silver was also kept in water highly impreg- * 

 nated with this gas, and one was placed at the end of the tube 

 .from which the gas was disengaged, and with the same result. 



2d. The gas was passed through a solution of nitrate of silver Nitr. of sil. n» 

 —no change. change. 



3d. A vessel was filled with mercury over the mercurial 

 cistern, and displaced by passing up a solution of nitrate of 

 silver until the vessel was half filled with it. After which the 

 gas was permitted to pass up, as it was disengaged from the 

 putrefying substance through the mercury, and through the 

 solution of silver, until it was strongly impregnated with it and 

 had accumulated in the top of the vessel — no change. 



4tb. 



