[ 237 ] 
employed much time and ftudy, and others have 
alfo endeavoured to feparate it from the aerial element 
of mineral waters j but all thefe attempts have proved 
vain and fruitlefs, fince it is plainly incoercible, and 
can fcarce be condenfed into a vihble body. 
We, therefore, readily fubmit to the opinion of 
Dr. Fred. Hoffman, who, by many folid arguments 
and judicious obfervations, hath fliewn (2), that this 
fpirituous principle of mineral waters is an exceeding 
rare and fubtile body, endowed with an expanfive 
quality, or a kind of elaftic aerial fluid ; and there- 
fore cannot be rightly diflinguifhed from the air of 
mineral waters, as if they were two different principles. 
This moft delicate and fubtile aerial fpirit of foun- 
tains, the fame "judicious author obferves, is as it 
were the life of feveral minerals, preferving them 
from corruption, animating them with a lively fpark- 
ling and briflenefs, and infpiring them with wonder- 
ful and excellent virtues, which they exert in re- 
moving many obflinate diforders ; and hath hitherto 
remained inimitable by art. 
Neither is there any reafon to doubt that bodies fo 
extremely rare and fubtile, as are the fpirits of foun- 
tains, are capable of imparting fuch remarkable qua- 
lities to mineral waters. The great power and force 
of adlion, wherewith many kinds of mineral expira- 
tions are endowed, fufficiently appears from the ob- 
fervations (3) before related. And thofe who arc 
unacquainted with the wonderful efficacy of exhala- 
(2) Fred. HolFman, de aquis mineralib, indagandis, § 16. & 
Id. De Convenientia Elementor. & Virium, &c. § xix. 
(3) Helmont, Complexionum atque Miftionum Elementalium 
figmentum, § 43. 
tions. 
