14* THE HISTORY OF CHEMISTRY, 



therefore fufliciently obvious, a priori, that little 

 faith can be given to the virtues of any one me- 

 dicine, which is expected to fubdue inflanta- 

 neoufly all dilbrders,t hough arifing from very dif- 

 ferent caufes; and fo both to excite and reprcfs eva- 

 cuations; that is required to cure thole difeufes 

 that fpring from a too rapid circulation of the 

 blood, as well as others occafioned by a circu- 

 lation too flow; that is to reilore parts affect- 

 ed with gangrene to their former health and vi- 

 gour ; and perform many other things equally 

 as ftrange and contradictory. The want of pro- 

 per experiments prevents our reafoning a po/le- 

 rio/i. As to the various accounts of Artcphius, 

 of the Hone of Butler, and of the furpriling cures 

 performed by Polcmannus and Burrhus, they 

 are fo vague, and repugnant to the general cha- 

 racter of truth, that the ignorant and the cre- 

 dulous only can Men to them. 



5 iv. Of the cbitf Difcoveries in Cbcmiftry made 

 during tbis Period. 



To throw fome light upon the progrefs of this 

 fcience, we fliall now take notice of the various 

 new preparations, of the inflruments employed, 

 ciiid the different operations. 



In Salts the greatefl variety has been produ- 

 ced. And to the acetous acid, which was for- 



* mcrly 



