ANALYSIS OF BLACK VOMIT. 125 



(/■) One hundred and twenty grains of the nitric, and 

 as many of fulphuric acids, were digefted on ten grains 

 of dry black flaky fubftance (No. 1.) placed in different 

 veffels, for twelve days. At the expiration of that 

 time, the black fubftance was entirely converted, with- 

 out the application of heat, into the fatty matter before 

 mentioned. That on which the nitric acid was uied, 

 was of a yellowiih colour ; the acid appearing to have 

 undergone no perceptible change. But the fulphuric had 

 afTumed a black colour, and the matter that had preci- 

 pitated, was as white as fnow. This, in both acids, rofe 

 to the furface, and aifumed the appearance already de- 

 fcribed. 



[i) Some diftilled water was boiled on the unctuous 

 matter (/). This liquor was filtered ; but, on the ad- 

 dition of oxalic acid, no precipitation enfued. 



(/) Two ounces and a half of black vomit w^as put in- 

 to a retort, adapted to a receiver. This was placed in 

 a water bath. JSoon after, the fluid began to boil. Two 

 drachms of a browniih white-coloured fluid, having 

 a fmall quantity of oil on its furface, pafTed into the 

 receiver. This had a ftrong odour of ammoniac and an 

 oily, difagreeable talle. Finding that no more fluid 

 would come over, the retort was placed in a fand-bath, 

 and a confiderable quantity of a fimilar coloured fluid 

 was obtained. The refiduum, in the retort, confifted of 

 a dark-coloured fpongy coal. This, w^hen expofed, a 

 fhort time, in a red hot crucible, gradually afTumed a 

 grey colour, and, at length, was reduced to afhes.* 



(w) Some diftilled water was fuffered to ftand ten days 

 on fifteen grains of afhes (/), after which it was gently 

 heated and filtered. This liquor did not change the co- 



VoL. V. S lour 



* Many of the preceding experiments, were made in the prefence of a 

 medical gentleman of refpedlabilit)', viz. Dr. Samuel DufEeld, confulting 

 phjfician to die port of Philadelphia. 



