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468 Scientific Intelligence. [Dec. 



Berzelius's analyses as a full confirmation of the accuracy of this 

 number ; for it differs less from the number given by the first 

 analysis than the two analyses do from nach other. 



It seems then established that the numbers for these two acids 

 are as follows : 



Arsenious acid 6*25 



Arsenic acid 7-25 



If any person wishes to get rid of the anomaly of the half atom, 

 he 'has only to double these numbers by supposing an atom of 

 arsenic to weigh 9*5. On such a supposition, the arseniate of 

 lead analyzed by Berzelius must be a compound of one atom 

 arsenic acid + two atoms protoxide of lead. The first arsenite 

 of lead which he analysed will be a compound of one atom arse- 

 nious acid and one atom protoxide of lead ; while the second 

 contains one atom acid + two atoms base. 



This supposition, which is the simplest, may very likely be 

 true ; but it will be necessary before we adopt it to analyze a 

 greater number of the arseniates than have hitherto been 

 subjected to an experimental investigation. My object here is 

 merely to show that my previous views are fully confirmed by 

 Berzelius's experiments ; and to inform my readers that he has 

 given up his previous notions respecting these acids, which 

 indeed were untenable. 



II. Calculus from the Bladder of a gouty Person. 



Some weeks ago a medical friend of mine in Birmingham sent 

 me a small specimen of calculous matter found after death in 

 the bladder of a man of 64 years of age who had been afflicted 

 with gout for 10 years. 



The substance was greyish-white, and had a good deal the 

 aspect of bone earth. It was partly in powder, and partly in 

 small "nodules, that appeared to be formed of concentric layers, 

 and which were rather hard. Considering it from its appearance 

 as bone earth, I digested a little of it in muriatic acid ; but did 

 not find it sensibly to diminish. The muriatic acid being poured 

 off, and evaporated to dryness in a watch-glass, left a slight 

 saline crust, which from the taste, solubility, and the action of 

 oxalate of ammonia on it, I concluded to be muriate of lime. 



Another portion of the calculus being put into nitric aeid and 

 heated, dissolved with effervescence, and the solution, which 

 was colourless, being evaporated to dryness, left a beautiful pink 

 sediment. Hence the calculus was chiefly composed of uric 

 acid. 



One grain of it was exposed for an hour to a red heat in a 

 muffle, being placed in a platinum cup. It was now reduced to 

 0-1 gr. The residuum was white, and resembled bone ashes. 

 Water being digested on it acquired the property of giving a 

 purple tinge to paper stained red with cudbear, indicating the 



