ON THE ALKALINE MATTER IN SERUM &C. 151 



factory to affirm, that soda was "identified", because 

 the tests did not indicate potash ? It is quite superfluous 

 for rae to say to such learned adversaries as 1 have the ho- 

 nour of addressing, that an experiment might have been 

 instituted, to have afforded unquestionable proof of the 

 existence of soda — such a proof would be the composition 

 of a bluate salt, possessing the kuov^n properties of a com- 

 pound of soda and the acid employed. 



With respect to muriate of potash, that this is present is 

 supported only by the observation of smaller cubic crystals 

 among larger ones ; otherwise it is a mere assertion. 



My last argument is of a different kind from those above 

 stated. If carbonate of soda in a large, and muriate of 

 potash in a small proportion be present, on the addition of 

 tartaric acid it is obvious, that it is scarcely possible to avoid 

 compounding soda-tartrate of potash, and certainly muriate 

 of soda. If my learned opponents had produced these com- 

 positions, I must have conceded, at least, that carboaate of 

 soda existed; but still it would require other experi- 

 ments, to determine the state of the potash. 



3. Of the fiuids of ascites, hydrothorax, »nd hydrops peri- 

 cardii. 



A saline mass, amounting to 4*8 grains, obtained by the Experiments 

 processes above mentioned, exhibited clusters of crystals, ^f j^^y'^f 

 partly cubic, partly octohedral, interspersed with others of the abdome% 

 a feathery, or radiating appearance. The feathery saline pe^icrrdium. 

 matter effervesced briskly with acids, and yielded •' no per* 

 manent precipitate^^ either with tartaric acid, or with oxi- 

 muriate of/ platina. The cubic crystals and octohedral 

 yielded precipitates with either of the two tests above men- 

 tioned. 



I do not conceive, that these observations authorise the Remarks on 

 adverse party to contravene my experiments and ronclu- t^^^e. 

 sions. I know from experience, that it is probable the fea- 

 thery crystals, even of potash, would elude detection on 

 account of the minute quantity. There was however a pre- 

 cipitate, but not permanent. The question naturally arises, 

 what was that non permanent precipitate ? I have no doubt 

 ^ the 



