. [ i88 ] 
probable, fmce it is allow’d by modern chemifts, 
that all acid fpirits, tho’ extradted from different mi- 
nerals, produce the fame eifedts, and confequently j 
are of the fame nature, the fpirit of fea fait only ex- 
cepted, which alone diffolves gold. 
Since vaff quantities of fulphur are found in this 
mine, mix’d with the copper-ore, it is probable, that 
the acid of the fulphur is attracted by the copper, and 
formed into a vitriol, which is afterwards diffolved 
by the water. 
A farther inquiry into the origin of this acid, I 
leave to thofe curious gentlemen, who have folv’d 
the phenomena of volcano’s, earthquakes, hot-fprings, 
&c. from its effedts. 
The ingenious Dr. Robinfon has lately illuffrated 
this dodtrine of acids *, by proving, that an acid and 
light are the fame thing : for he infers, from Sir Ifaac 
Newton’s philofophy; that whatever attradls, or is 
much attradted, is light : therefore an acid is light. 
This fpring perhaps is as remarkable for its medi- 
cinal as its metallic qualities. Tho’ phyficians gene- 
rally reckon copper taken internally poifonous, yet 
the miners and other people drink this water fre- 
quently, without any ill confequences. It purges and 
vomits feverely, and is become their fpecific in feve- 
ral difeafes, particularly in cutaneous eruptions, arifing 
either from an alkaline acrimony in the blood, which 
ft imulates the lenfible extremities of the cutaneous ar- 
teries, and occafions a puftule, or from the irritation of 
infedts lodg’d in tire fkin ; both which caufes may be 
removed 
* See his Efiay on the Operations of Medicines. 
