ABSORBENTS— SULPHURIC ACID i 



death, only a small stone, of about three 

 ounces, was found. I have one in my mu- 

 seum which weiffhs lOlb. 



ACIDS. This term is applied to medi- 

 cines that have a sour taste. Adds are also 

 distinguished by their changing an infusion 

 of blue violets or litmus to a red colour, and 

 combining readily with alkalies and earths. 

 Many of them also combine with or dissolve 

 metallic substances, forming with them very 

 useful compositions, such as blue vitriol^ 

 iunar caustic y red precipitate, &c. 



Chemists divide acids into three classes, 

 viz. mineral, vegetable, and animal; and 

 describe many different kinds under each 

 class : but we shall confine our attention to 

 such as may be employed, with advantage, 

 in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. 



Sulphuric Acid, Vitriolic Acid, or 

 Oil of Fitriol. This acid was formerly pre- 

 pared from o'r^<?;2 vitriol or copperas {Vitno" 

 lated iron), or from the pyrites ox fire stone. 

 It is now, however, obtained from sulphur^ 

 by burning it with nitre, in a close vessel 

 containing a small quantity of water, which 

 is afterwards separated from it by evapora- 

 '4<^n. Vitriolic acid is a powerful caustic, 



B 2 



