292 balaU'd's researches concerning the natcre of 



bases ; that is to say, the protoxides are immediately converted into per- 

 oxides, provided always that they can neutralize the acid. Thus the 

 salts of protoxide of iron, of copper, and of tin, are immediately con- 

 verted into salts of the peroxides : but as to those of nickel, cobalt, 

 and lead, they suffer no alteration. If the base were superoxidized, it 

 would cease, in this case, to be proper to saturate the acid, and the 

 chlorous acid would then act so as to destroy a combination already 

 existing, instead of contributing to form more neutral and stable com- 

 pounds, as when it changes the salts in ite to salts in ate. Nevertheless 

 the salts of protoxide of manganese, treated with chlorous acid, deposit 

 peroxide, and the solution becomes acid ; but the action is so slow, that 

 I think it may be attributed to the disengagement of chlorine, which 

 always accompanies the spontaneous decomposition of chlorous acid, 

 and not to this acid itself. 



It was natural to suppose that organic substances would be essentially 

 altered in their constitution by chlorous acid, whicli we have seen act 

 energetically on several inorganic compounds ; this opinion was con- 

 firmed by experience. I put a great number of vegetable and animal 

 substances into contact with this acid, and in almost every case I per- 

 ceived indications of a re-action, which was frequently very vivid. It 

 forms no part of the plan which I have proposed, to describe in detail 

 the modifications which each organic substance underwent in this case. 

 It M'ill be sufficient to say in a general manner, that in the greater num- 

 ber of them the re-actions were accompanied with a disengagement of 

 chlorine mixed with variable proportions of carbonic acid gas, "When 

 the substance contains azote, it is disengaged, but the odour of the gas 

 indicates that chloride of azote is also formed. This is especially ob- 

 served with urea, lithic acid, and the vegetable alkalis which did not 

 appear to me susceptible of forming chlorites. 



In some cases the quantity of carbonic acid obtained represented the 

 oxyo'en which enters into the composition of chlorous acid, I thought 

 that I perceived this in operating on indigo, a colouring matter which 

 chlorous acid instantly changes into a yellow substance, which is soluble 

 in alcohol and rather bitter. 



In the greater number of cases but very little carbonic acid is ob- 

 tained ; a notable portion of oxygen disappears at the same time, and 

 contributes to form new and more oxigenated compounds. Thus the 

 products of its action on sugar, gum, starch, &c. are strongly acid. 



Sometimes, however, the decomposition is slow, and the two elements 

 of the chlorous acid are both absorbed by the organic matter. This is 

 observed with alcohol ; this liquid, by mixture with chlorous acid, is 

 converted into acetic acid, and there is obtained at the same time a cer- 

 tain quantity of r.n oily liquid, produced by the action of the chlorine 

 upon the alcohol. 



