[ 4§2 ] 
Tafte, and did not at firft effervefce with an Acid. 
And here it may be obferved, that the Chcmifts 
have generally applied thofe Properties they difco- 
vered in Urine, to all the Humours indifferently ; 
whereas, in Faft, there is a great Diverfity. For 
fome animal Subftances, fuch as Urine and Bile, 
(bon putrefy ; the Saliva and the White of an Egg 
(lowly. Yet thofe that fooneft corrupt do not always 
arrive at the highefl Degree of Putrefa&ion. Thus 
the Bile is foon corruptible, but the Ranknefs of it 
is not to be compared to that of Flefh j and the 
White of an Egg is not only much lefs difpofed to 
putrefy than the Yolk, bur, when corrupted, yields 
a different and lefs offenfive Smell. And it feems 
particular to ftale Urine to contain an alcaline Salt, 
which, without Diftillation, makes a ftrong Effer- 
vefcencc with Acids : Whereas mod other animal 
Humours putrefied, tho' of a more intolerable boctor , 
yet contain lefs volatile Salt, lefs extricable, and not 
effervefeing with Acids. But what makes the Dif- 
ference between ftale Urine and other putrid Sub- 
ftances ftill more fpecific, is, its Inoffenfivenefs with 
regard to Health 5 whiift the Steams of 1110ft other 
corrupted Bodies are often the Caufe of putrid and 
malignant Difeafes. 
Now, upon finding in Urine a much greater 
Quantity of volatile Salt, and that more eafily fepa- 
rable than in any other Humour, and that ftale Urine 
is the icaft noxious of putrid animal Subftanccs, fo 
far then from dreading the volatile Alcali as the de- 
leterious 
* Nat. Hift. ©f Human Blood, Vol. IV. p. 178. fol. 
4 
