On Animal Fluids. 203 



entirely separating the two alkalies from one another in 

 such minute quantities as were obtained ; and if the sepa- 

 ration were not effected, as the two fixed alkalies are af- 

 firmed to exist, the test by tariaric acid must have produced 

 soda-tartratc of potash. — consequently the inference of the 

 adverse party cannot be just. 



Having as- briefly as 1 deemed proper, commented on the 

 opposing evidence, and set forth in a diffcrent'^light my own, 

 I must pay due respect to the other parts of the insenious 

 Answerer's paper. If it shall appear that the only ditference 

 in the results of the inquiries by the two parties worth par- 

 ticular notice is with respect to the alkaline matter, I sub- 

 mit to the chemical public, whether or not Dr. M. could 

 with common discretion have published his memoir with- 

 out a reference to his predecessor, as he observes he could 

 have done with propriety ; and especially as he owns he 

 was directed to the alkaline impregnation by my paper and 

 conversations. Dr. M. complains that he is at a loss to 

 understand my meaning, and is much embarrassed by my 

 obscure and inaccurate manner of writing. I am grieved 

 that my learned friend should experience these difficulties ; 

 but as I have not heard similar complaints from others, I 

 may, perhaps, not indecorously venture to say that his 

 claim to judgement of propriety and perspicuity in English 

 is somewhat doubtful. 



The ingenious Opponent cannot agree with me that sub- 

 stances and properties of substances are discoverable by 

 operating upon large, which cannot be discovered with 

 smaller quantities. I really thought the proposition so ob- 

 viously true that illustration is needless. Heaps of illustra- 

 tive examples in nature occur to my mind while I am 

 writing, both in the department of chemistry and physio- 

 logy. Ifarsenous acid, muriate of soda, or of sulphuric acid, 

 be dissolved in the proportion of one part to 100 equal 

 parts of water, they will be discoverable by well known re- 

 agents ; but if the proportion of water be increased more 

 and more, the indication of their existence will become less 

 and k'ss distinct; and at last they will be no longer per- 

 ceivable, although it be known that they exist : or, if I take 

 certain fractional designated parts of any given weight of 

 these substances, they will elude n)anifeslation by any 

 means hitherto known. On this principle of division and 

 dillubion, the most deleterious poisons become innoxious 

 by the minuteness of the quantity applied to the human 

 constitution. Hence atmospheric air containing fen mias- 

 mata, [ilague contagion, or variolous matter, ~&c. is ap- 

 plied 



