334 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



original discoverers of this medicine died, and their successors of 

 the same name, from philantliropic motives, made known the com- 

 positioli, and the recipe for its manufacture found its way into the 

 pharmacopia. It was said to be composed of phosphate of lime 

 and oxide of antimony in certain relative proportions, which w^ere 

 stated. James' Powders were soon manufactured by every apothe- 

 cary, as well as by the immediate successors of the original dis- 

 coverers. The East India Company advertised for proposals to 

 furnish them with medicines, among which was a large quantity 

 of James' Powders, and a large and respectable chemical manu- 

 facturer of London, named a lower price for this article than that 

 named by the Messrs. James themselves. It was furnished and 

 sent out. The medical department reported that it failed entirely 

 to produce the usual results. The Company refused to pay the 

 bill, and a suit ensued. Many of the first chemists of England, 

 including one of the Messrs. Jame?, made analyses of this article, 

 and gave evidence that it was the same composition as that made 

 by the Messrs. James. 



It appeared in evidence that the new manufacturers had cal- 

 cined the phosphate of lime-rock from Estramadura, and then 

 combined it with the antimony as directed; that the Messrs. 

 James' made their medicine by calcining bones of oxen, and mix- 

 ing the phosphate so obtained with oxyd of antimony. Every 

 chemist, Mr. James included, believed and stated that there could 

 be no difference in the effect of these two medicines ; that after 

 the Estramadura rock was calcined, and the bone was calcined, 

 the results were alike, and the verdict was given in favor of the 

 manufacturers. The Company, however, sent out a new quantity 

 manufactured by the Messrs. James, and unlike that made from 

 the Estramadura rock, it was found to be efficient. Notwithstand- 

 ing these facts, even at the present time, it continues to be manu- 

 factured by both of these methods. 



Thus it is clear that men, like plants, can only assimilate, du- 

 ring the process of digestion, such primaries as are sufficiently 

 progressed for their use. And this gives us a clear insight for 

 the formation of proper rules in the selection of manures. They 

 should always be chosen, when practicable, from the higher, and 

 not from the lower sources. 



