varims dropsical Fluids^ and the Sentm of the Blood. 69 



fording prodiicls, of which no doubt can be entertained. 

 I do not fjiRStivm the accuracy ; but \ hope il is proper to 

 .lake a lu;iher objection against the competency of tlie ex- 

 permient a-seitcd, for the presence of soda and absence of 

 potash. On ihe most important point which occurred in 

 the iuquirv, the kind oK alkah ex'Sting in llie fluids, I do 

 conceive that mnre experiments, and pariicnlariy detailed, are 

 necessary to eflcct liie dis-pro(;f c>r what I have published, 

 and to command as-ent, that soda and not potash is pre- 

 sent. Is it salis'actorv to affirm, that soda was identiiicd, 

 because the tests did not indicate potash? It is quite su- 

 perfluous for me to say to such learned adversaries as I have 

 the honour of addressing, that an experiment might have 

 been instituted to have afforded unquestionable proof of 

 the existence of soda. Such a proof would be the compo- 

 sition of a biiiate salt, possessins; the known properties of 

 a compound of soda and the acid employed. 



With respect to muriate of potash, that this is present, 

 is supported onlv bv the oljservation -it" smaller cubic cry- 

 stals among larger ones; otherwise it is a mere assertion. 



My last argument is of a different kind from those above 

 stated. If'carbonate of soda in a large, and muriate of 

 potash in a small proportion be present, on the addition of 

 tartaric acid, it is obvious that il is scarcely possible to 

 avoid compounding soda-tartrate of potash, and certainly 

 muriate ot soda. If the learned opponents had produced 

 these compositions, I must have conceded, at least, that 

 carbonate of soda existed ; but still it would require other 

 experiments to determine the state of the j)olish. 



3. Of the Fluids of Ascites, Hydiolhorax, and Hydrops 

 Pericardii. 



' A saline mass amounting to 4*8 grains, obtained by the 

 processes above mentioned, exhibited clusters oF crystals, 

 partly cut)ic, partly octohedral, interspersed with others of 

 a featherv or radiating appearance. The feathery saline 

 matter effervesced briskly with acids, and yielded no per- 

 manent precipitate, either with tartaric acid or with oxy- 

 niuriate oF platina. The cubic crystals and octohedral 

 yielded precipitates with either of the two tests just men- 

 liotied. 



I do not conceive that these observations authorize the 

 adverse party lo contravene my cxpennntnts and conclu- 

 sions. I know from experience, that it is probable the 

 feathery crystals even oF potash would elude detection, on 

 account of the minute quantity ; there was however a prc- 

 E 3 ci pi I ate, 



