Dr. Pearson's Observations 
3 ° 4 > 
2. The undissolved matter left after repeated digestions in 
this menstruum, afforded the same substances, but in smaller 
proportions, as mucous sputum. 
3. Equal bulks of fresh pus, and rectified spirit of wine, 
afford a much thicker and more milky liquor, with a closer 
sediment, than expectorated mucous matter. 
Sect. V. Agency of acetous Acid. 
The purulent matters mixed with this acid became curdy, 
and rendered it milky ; but on standing, a close white sedi- 
ment appeared, the liquid above being clear, except in the 
case of the viscid pus, which exhibited leafy and fibrous 
masses, as hath been described with mucous sputum. 
By repeated digestion of the different kinds of pus in this 
menstruum, I obtained the same results, except the proportions 
of acetite of potash, and muriate of soda being smaller, as 
related in a former paper on mucous expectorated matter, 
Phil. Trans. 1803, P. II. p. 33b. 
Sect. VI. — Some Experiments with different Objects, especially 
to distinguish Pus and Mucus. 
2, In the agency of sulphuric, nitric, and muriatic acids, in 
sufficient quantity to dissolve and decompound the substances 
under inquiry, I could perceive no Important difference between 
them. The purulent matters indeed, required a much greater 
proportion to completely dissolve them, than the transparent 
sputum. Also the more opaque and dense the sputum, the 
greater the resistance to dissolution. Sulphuric acid produced 
black liquids like those containing charcoal, smelling strongly 
of muriatic acid, but on dilution with water, they became clear. 
No precipitation occurred on dilution with water, and on 
