[ 340 ] 
if they did, they would be dangerous [/] j and thirdly 
that they are quite changed, before they leave 
the primes wee [m]. As for the firji, I do not 
know what reafons Dr. M‘Bride founds his afler- 
tions upon, as acids never are given in fo concen- 
trick a hate, as by their aftringency to make thefe 
veflels fhut up their orifice j and as metallic falts 
themfelves are abforbed in their very compound 
hate (which (eems clear with regard to the corrolive 
lublimate, and other fuch faline preparations), 1 do 
not fee, why the fimple acids could not be abforbed. 
The fecond reafon fee ms to be founded upon fome of 
Dr. M‘Bride’s experiments (p. 132, 133), that 
putrid flefh, fweetened by dillilled vinegar and fpirit of 
vitriol, was firm ; but on being boiled went quite to 
pieces, whereas that fweetened by volatile alcali did 
not. But, I conceive, thefe experiments are not 
applicable to a living body : for the acid being 
there mixed with the fluids, cannot adt in this way 
on the folids, till the fluids are (if I may ufe that 
[/] Ibid. p. 134. the acids diffolve the elementary earth, 
and thus deftroy the texture of that fubftance, whofe foundnefs 
they are fuppofed to reftore. — P. 148. we are not to expedl, that 
they are to pervade the minute branches of the vafcular fyftem j 
when indeed it is evident, that they ought not to, be allowed to 
pafs into the blood in their acid form ; fince it is plain, that, 
from their diffolvent nature, the body mufl be deftroyed, and its 
moft folid parts melted down to a jelly, if naked acids were to 
be received into the general mafs of fluids. 
[/«] Ibid. p. 148. acids are neutralized during the alimentary 
fermentation; and therefore they cannot a£l as acids, by fatur- 
ating any thing of the alcaline kind that they meet with in 
their courfe of circulation. 
expreflion) 
