COMBINATION OF MERCURY 



not fubducd by fublimation, is the fame in effica- 

 cy and folubility with the fweet mercury pre- 

 pared in the common manner. 



The mixture on which we are now treating, 

 ought neither to be made in metallic nor marble 

 mortars, as they are corroded by the mercurial 

 fublimatc ; but mortars of glafs are to be em- 

 ployed for this purpofe. Great care is at the 

 fume time to be taken that the dry powder does 

 not enter into the throat and lungs of the ope- 

 rator. In order to diminiih the danger of which, 

 the mafs ought generally to be moillcned, and 

 the mouth and noitrils of the perfon engaged in 

 the trituration covered with a cloth. When the 

 mercury is thoroughly extinguillicd or divided 

 into the fmalleft globules, the mixture a flumes 

 an obfcure or afh-like colour. This mechanical 

 procefs is not u little forwarded by digeflion ; 

 but it is not altogether adequate to fubdue the 

 acrimony of the corrofive mercury. An inti- 

 mate combination of the twofubftancesis requir- 

 ed, and which is generally produced by the 

 means of fire. 



Sublimation is performed in an alembic, or (as 

 Stahl advifes), in a retort large enough to con- 

 tain 3 fufticient quantity of mercury, that none 

 of it may be wailed. Following G. Rothius, 

 J. F. Curtheufer properly directs, that the alem- 

 bic fhould be. covered with fand up to the very 

 neck, in order that the mercury, and more a- 



crid 



