292 BALARD'S RESEARCHES CONCERNING THE NATURE OF 
bases; that is to say, the protoxides are immediately converted into per= 
oxides, provided always that they can neutralize the acid. Thus the 
salts of protoxide of iron, of copper, and of tin, are immediately con- 
verted into salts of the peroxides: but as to those of nickel, cobalt, 
and lead, they suffer no alteration. If the base were superoxidized, it 
would cease, in this case, to be proper to saturate the acid, and the 
chlorous acid would then act so as to destroy a combination already 
existing, instead of contributing to form more neutral and stable com- 
pounds, as when it changes the salts in é¢e to salts inate. Nevertheless 
the salts of protoxide of manganese, treated with chlorous acid, deposit 
peroxide, and the solution becomes acid; but the action is so slow, that 
I think it may be attributed to the disengagement of chlorine, which 
always accompanies the spontaneous decomposition of chlorous acid, 
and not to this acid itself. 
It was natural to suppose that organic substances would be essentially 
altered in their constitution by chlorous acid, which we have seen act 
energetically on several inorganic compounds; this opinion was con- 
firmed by experience. I put a great number of vegetable and animal 
substances into contact with this acid, and in almost every case I per- 
ceived indications of a re-action, which was frequently very vivid. It 
forms no part of the plan which I have proposed, to describe in detail 
the modifications which each organic substance underwent in this ease. 
It will be sufficient to say in a general manner, that in the greater num- 
ber of them the re-actions were accompanied with a disengagement of 
chlorine mixed with variable proportions of carbonic acid gas. When 
the substance contains azote, it is disengaged, but the odour of the gas 
indicates that chloride of azote is also formed. This is especially ob- 
served with urea, lithic acid, and the vegetable alkalis which did not 
appear to me susceptible of forming chlorites. 
In some eases the quantity of carbonic acid obtained represented the 
oxygen which enters into the composition of chlorous acid. I thought 
that I perceived this in operating on indigo, a colouring matter which 
chlorous acid instantly changes into a yellow substance, which is soluble 
in alcohol and rather bitter. 
In the greater number of cases but very little carbonie acid is ob- 
tained; a notable portion of oxygen disappears at the same time, and 
contributes to form new and more oxigenated compounds. Thus the 
products of its action on sugar, gum, starch, &c. are strongly acid. 
Sometimes, however, the decomposition is slow, and the two elements 
of the chlorous acid are both absorbed by the organic matter. This is 
observed with alcohol; this liquid, by mixture with chlorous acid, is 
converted into acetic acid, and there is obtained at the same time a cer- 
tain quantity of an oily liquid, produced by the action of the chlorine 
upon the alcohol. 
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