m 



proportion contained in lime-watery ^nd the pure alkalies, 

 in an extreme state of dilution, in temperatures even some- 

 what inferior to those of the human system; exert an ac- 

 tive solvent power on calculi of the uric acid kind. Se- 

 condly; that the alkaline carbonates, under similar circum- 

 stances, are possessed of similar po"'ers, though in an in- 

 ferior degree. And Thirdly; that, by our having ascertained 

 this point, we have removed a long established error, sub- 

 stituted a discovery highly interesting to animal chemistry, 

 and likely to be productive of a more enlightened and suc- 

 cessful practice, in the treatment of these diseases. 



In these expectations we will appear to be the better 

 founded, when it is considered, that, for want of entire 

 specimens, (preserved here like the oriental bezoars of old,) 

 we were obliged to operate upon fragments, presenting 

 small surfaces only to our solvents: that these last were 

 never renewed during the course of the experiments, which 

 would not hj|.ve occurred in their application in the form 

 of injections ; as they should, in that case, be so often re- 

 peated, and act, of course, "with renewed energy: that, 

 either taken internally, or used in form of injection, the 

 smallest proportion of alkaline matter, in a great state of 

 dilution, assisted by the human temperature, answers our 

 purpose: and that the temperature, in our experiments, 

 was never permanent, and might be rated at the medium 

 one of 74 degrees. 



Having now fulfilled the second object of this essay, 1 

 would no longer presume to trespass on the indulgence 



of 



