^' PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1757. 



these craf)S-eyes, after the solution of their terrestrial parts, leave nothing gelati- 

 nous behind them, as they did in the other experiment ; whence it is plain that 

 the gelatinous substance had been extracted, and dissolved, by the alkaline lixi- 

 vium. The very same thing happens to the human calculus. 



It appears therefore more than probable to our author, that lime-water and 

 Carlsbad waters, on account of their alike partaking of the alkaline and calcareous 

 principle, do dissolve the before-mentioned animal gluten only, by which the 

 terrestrial parts are united together ; and on the solution of which these parts 

 must separate and fall asunder. Hence may be accounted for also the origin of 

 that white viscid matter, which adheres to the bottom of the vessel like poultice, 

 after the dissolution of calculi in the Carlsbad waters ; and which is nothing more 

 than the terrestrial parts of the stone deprived of the animal gluten, which makes 

 them adhere together. Hence we see the reason why our predecessors adopted 

 two sorts of lithontriptic remedies, and those of quite opposite properties. Basil 

 Valentine, Paracelsus, Helmont, and others, administered alkalies; Sylvius, 

 Laurembergius, and Dippelius, acids. By these last they attempted to dissolve 

 the terrestrial parts ; by the former, the connecting gluten. But the case in 

 gall-stones is different ; their connecting gluten, which unites the bilious parts, 

 is not an animal jelly, as in the calculus vesicae, but a fat inflammable oil, which 

 is neither dissoluble by the Carlsbad waters, nor by lime-water. 

 i'''Our author conjectures that he has proved demonstratively, that the solvent 

 power of the Carlsbad waters does exceed that of lime-water ; besides which it 

 has this advantage, that it is not in the least nauseous, and may be continued, 

 if necessary, for 6 or 8 months, without any other inconvenience than that of 

 drinking them on the spot ; which may indeed oblige persons whose dwellings 

 are remote from Carlsbad to take a journey thither ; whereas lime-water may be 

 drank at home. 



END OP THE POBTY-NINTH VOLUME OP THE ORIGINAL. 



Art. /. Of the Earthquake felt in New England^ and the Neighbouring Parts of 

 America^ Nov. 18, 1755. By Mr. Professor IVinthrop of Cambridge in 

 New England. Vol. L. Anno 1757. p- 1. 



This earthquake happened about a quarter after 4 in the morning of Nov. 1 8, 

 1755. The night had been perfectly calm and serene. The earthquake began 

 with a roaring noise in the n.w. like thunder at a distance ; and this became 

 fiercer as the earthquake drew nearer ; which was almost a minute in coming to 

 this place. (Cambridge, in New England). The first sensation was like a pulse^ 



