On Gravelly and Calculous Concretions, H5 



the greater part, again precipitated, upon the mixture cool- 

 ing, to the temperature of the atmosphere. 



Experiment XIII. 



The crystallized carbonate of potash, being generally pre- 

 scribed in the proportion of one drachm to four ounces of 

 water; in a similar mixture was suspended an entire cal- 

 culus, of a very compact, rough, and gritty appearance, 

 weighing forty grains and a quarter. After remaining forty- 

 eight hours in the above temperature, it was taken out, dried,' 

 and weighed, and found to have lost three grains three quar- 

 ters. The solution here more highly coloured than in the for- 

 mer: some spontaneous precipitation; and an immediate one, 

 on the addition of a few drops of weak marine acid. We thea 

 find the vegetable alkali in the fullest state of saturation, 

 with carbonic acid, that we can procure it, in the solid form, 

 acting powerfully on these concretions, when assisted by 

 degrees of temperature even much inferior to that of the 

 human body. 



Now, as to the mineral alkali, nature presents us with 

 similar, nay, more extraordinary results, in the mild mi- 

 neral alkaline impregnation of the waters of Carlsbad, in 

 Bohemia. Here are several springs, varying in temperature 

 from 114 degrees to that of the Brudel at 165 degrees. 

 According to ElHot, they contain, in the gallon, of aerated 

 lime 36 grains; muriate of soda 48 ; aerated soda 102 ; vi- 

 triolated soda 6 drachms; some minute proportion of iron, 

 and a considerable carbonic acid impregnation. But Klap- 

 roth rates the proportion of mineral alkali still higher. 



Of the lithontriptic effects of these waters, Springfield 

 gives us a very surprising account indeed : founded, how- 

 ever, upon numerous experiments, instituted upon the spot, 

 by the immersion of many calculi in the sources themselves; 

 where they were either entirely dissolved, or acted upon with 

 an energy that nmst appear incredible, if we did not consider 

 the nature of the menstruum, its high temperature, and con- 

 stant renewal by the flowing of the stream. Nay, the urine 

 of patients who used these waters for a few days was found 

 to possess powerful lithontriptic effects, as appeared by the 

 Jtl c immersion 



