(ISO 
flouriflies, digreffions or circumlocution, the Reafons, 
Obfcrvations and Experiments, which induced me to em- 
brace and publifli an Opinion, fo contrary to what hath 
been hitherto generally received : Andlfliall then appeal 
unto all un-prejudiced, impartial, and intelligent perfons, 
Whether the arraigned Pofition be ungrounded and temera- 
rious; or rather, Whether the Arguments I haveprodu» 
cedinitsfavour and for its confirmation, do not render it 
highly probable, and excufeany, who flaall give it enter- 
tainment, from fufpicion of Levity or too prompt Cre- 
dulity. ' , 
My Affertion was, That Alcalijate or Fixed Saks extraB" 
ed cut of the Ajbes of Vegetables do mt differ from each other ; 
as neither their Vinous Sprits • yet with this reftriftion, // 
they mre highly reSiijied or purified. And that I may fur- 
ther manifePc, I do not diftrufl: my Caufe, Iflialladd, Nor 
Volatil SaltSy not only oi Vegetables ^ (which I did hereto- 
fore faintly affirm j but even thofe yielded hj Animals ot 
Minerals^ with the before-mention'd limitation of duePuri- 
fication* 
Brjl then, I fay. That Salts ferfeBly Jlcalifed differ 
not from each other in [enfible^ nor, ( fo far as I have had 
opportunity to enquire ) in hidden, properties. It hath 
been a conftant and general perfwafion, that many Fixt 
Salts do retain^ fome, at leaft, the Specifical properties 
of thofe Vegetables, out of whofe allies they were extraft- 
ed. The Salt of Wormmod and Mint are faid to be ftoma- 
chical ; that of the greater Cekndine proper for Iftericks 5 
thofe of Bmw, Jfh'Keys^ Elder ^ Bean-Stalky &c. Diu- 
retical; of Rofemary^ Sage^ &c. Cephalic k ; and others, 
(too many now to enumerate,) which are thought to be en- 
dow'd with very different Medicinal properties. I am 
not very forward to queftion and quarrel with Opinions 
and Maxims eftablifli't by univerfal confenf , and confirm'd 
by the Experience of many Ages, unlefs I have fufficient 
X 2 reafon 
