276 



as bile, and milk, from one and the same fluid: nor than 

 ■what we every day observe to pass, in the functions of 

 the vegetable department of the organized kingdom. The 

 salsola kali, salicornia, and other maritime plants, afforded 

 to Chaptal's analysis, in their early state of growth, muriate 

 of soda : when the plant was more advanced, this salt, 

 with excess of alkali; but in a full state of maturity, the 

 same quite disengaged, and uncombined with muriatic 

 acid. Here, then, Ave haA^e one of our most refractory 

 salts, and that resists the action of our greatest fires, com- 

 pletely decomposed, by the vegetative poAvers of an hum- 

 ble plant. In this state of uncertainty, I determined upon 

 a course of some experiments, Avhich might throAV some 

 light on this subject; and go to explain hoAV, or upon 

 Avhat principle, alkaline earths, or carbonates, become re- 

 medies in those complaints. And here, again, I must 

 bring to our recollection, that Avhatever retains the uric 

 acid in a state of solution, Avhilst in the body, must pre- 

 .vent the formation of gravel, or calculus matter of that 

 kind. 



And to begin Avith lime-Avater, so generally prescribed 

 since the time of White. In this, the quantity of pure 

 earth in solution (being only one grain in 700 of Avater) 

 is so minute, and it is, Avithal, so readily decomposed^ that 

 Ave could not, a priori, expect much fron) its agency. 



On conversing, however, Avith my friend, Dr. Harvey, 

 on this subject, (of Avhose professional acumen it is unne- 

 cessary to make mention here,) he observed, (Avith that 



strength 



