J52 ®^ T"* ALKALINE MATTER IN SERUM &C. 



the quantity was too small, to enable thequBstioa to be an- 

 swered even by the hands that performed the experiment. 



But the cubic and octohedral crystals yielded precipitates 

 ■with either of the two tests, and hence potash, united to 

 muriatic acid, is inferred to exist. 



I again must appeal to chemical judsfes to determine 

 whether or not the conclusion is warrantable : for, 1, here 

 is no proof of muriate of potash : 2, It is not even certain, 

 that the precipitate was sapertartrate of potash : 3, granting, 

 that supertartrate of potash was produced, it remains to be 

 proved, in what state the alkali subsisted. 



4. Of the serum of the blood. 

 Experiments The saline matter procured from this fluid dicl not with 

 thVbIood.°^ the platina solution " produce a precipitate sufficiently 

 distinct to be conclusive as to the presence of potash : but 

 by means of tartaric acid, a distinct, though not abnndant, 

 precipitate was produced". Farther: with nitric acid this 

 saline matter yielded crystals of a " »hotnboidal form". 

 Again: this matter dissolved in acetic acid, being evaporated 

 to dryness, was treated with alcohol, and again evaporated ; 

 *' the residue^ contrary to my expectation, exhibited traces 

 of potash" ; but the same residue with nitric acid 

 yielded rhomboidal, and no prismatic crystals were seen : 

 while " potash was easily discoverable in the residue inso- 

 luble in alcohol, which residue had now lost its deliques- 

 cent quality". 

 Rpmaikson ■ I wish to avoid repetition of objections already offered, 

 although they are applicable in this place, and will only 

 remark, 1st, that 1 cannot admit the figure of such minute 

 crystals as a decisive property, but the kind of nitrate com- 

 pounded might have been ascertained by the test of tartaric 

 acid. 2d. The dissolution of the acetate in alcohol is the 

 most conclusive experiment given in the paper before me : 

 an-1 it has produced apparent bmbarrasment. It is pretty 

 determinate, even as performed, and might have beco^iie 

 «n experimentum crucisy by prosecuting it a little farther. 

 We know, that acetate of potash is dissoluble in alcohol ; 

 and there is no proof, that soda united to acetic acid is pre- 

 sent, even if such a compound be dissoluble io alcohol. It 



has 



tkc!se. 



