HISTORY OF THE ATOMIC THEOKT. 187 



this truth has often led me to the question, whether and how 

 far chemistry is a part of applied mathematics ; and especially 

 in considering the well-known fact, that two neutral salts, when 

 they decompose each other, form again neutral compounds. 

 The immediate consequence, in my opinion, could only be, 

 that there are definite relations between the magnitude of 

 the component parts of neutral salts. From that time I con- 

 sidered how these proportions could be made out, partly by 

 exact chemical experiments, partly combining chemical with 

 mathematical analysis. In my inaugural dissertation, pub- 

 lished at Konigsberg, in 1 789, I made a slight attempt, but 

 was not then supplied with the requisite chemical apparatus, 

 nor was I sufficiently ready with all requisite information, 

 bearing on my present system, imperfect as it may be. The 

 result, therefore, was very imperfect. 1 promised, however, 

 not to let the matter rest with that imperfect essay, but to 

 work out this branch with all the accuracy and profundity of 

 which I was capable, as soon as I was supplied with the 

 requisite conveniences. This promise, I hope in the present 

 volume, to make good, although I am far from believing that 

 what I am now going to say will not be in need of still more 

 thorough and accurate elaboration, for who will venture to 

 limit the extent and the power which is the destination of a 

 young and budding science." 



He was the first to speak of a science of stoechiometry, 

 and began formally to lay the foundation. We may even 

 say that he commenced the systematic study for which he 

 gave us also the most appropriate word. I cannot say that 

 he began the science, and it will be seen that his mode of 

 inauiry was wanting in directness and his results in com- 

 pleteness. 



In page 29 of the preface, he says, " as the mathematical 

 pordon of chemistry deals in a great measure with bodies 

 which are either elements or substances incapable of being 

 decomposed and as it teaches also their relative magnitudes, 



