Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry

Contents

Elements of the Theory of Chymistry.

CHAP. I.
Of the Principles of Bodies	Page 1
Sect. 1. Of Air	2
Sect. 2. Of Water	3
Sect. 3. Of Earth	4
Sect. 4. Of Fire	5
Sect. 5. Of the Phlogiston	7
Chap. II. A general View of the Relations or Affinities between Bodies	9
Chap. III. Of Saline Substances in general	11
Sect. 1. Of Acids	12
Sect. 2. Of Alkalis	14
Sect. 3. Of Neutral Salts	15
Chap. IV. Of the Several Sorts of Saline Substances.
Sect. 1. Of the Universal Acid	18
Sect. 2. Of the Nitrous Acid	22
Sect. 3. Of the Marine Acid	25
Chap. V. Of Lime	29
Chap. VI. Of Metallic Substances in general	34
Chap. VII. Of Metals	37
Sect. 1. Of Gold	ib.
Sect. 2. Of Silver	39
Sect. 3. Of Copper	44
Sect. 4. Of Iron	47
Sect. 5. Of Tin	52
Sect. 6. Of Lead	53
Chap. VIII. Of Quick-Silver	58
Chap. IX. Of the Semi-Metals.
Sect. 1. Of Regulus of Antimony	62
Sect. 2. Of Bismuth	69
Sect. 3. Of Zinc	70
Sect. 4. Of Regulus of Arsenic	72
Chap. X. Of Oil in general	76
Sect. 1. Of Charcoal	77
Sect. 2. Of Soap	78
Chap. XI. Of the Several Sorts of Oils.
Sect. 1. Of Mineral Oils	79
Sect. 2. Of Vegetable Oils	80
Sect. 3. Of Animal Oils	82
Chap. XII. Of Fermentation in general	83
Chap. XIII. Of the Spirituous Fermentation	84
Chap. XIV. Of the Acetous Fermentation	90
Sect. 1. Of Vinegar	91
Sect. 2. Of Tartar	93
Chap. XV. Of the Putrid Fermentation, or Putrefaction	96
Chap. XVI. A general View of Chymical Decomposition	101
Sect. 1. The Analysis of Vegetable Substances	102
Emulsions	104
Sect. 2. The Analysis of Animal Substances	106
Sect. 3. The Analysis of Mineral Substances	108
Of the Pyrites	110
Of Ores	112
Chap. XVII. Explanation of the Table of Affinities	119
Chap. XVIII. The Theory of Constructing the Vessels most commonly used in Chymistry	126
Chap. XIX. The Theory of Constructing the Furnaces most commonly used in Chymistry	133
Of Lutes	147
Elements of the Practice of Chymistry.
Introduction	153
PART I. Of Minerals.
SECTION I.
Operations performed on Saline Mineral Substances.
Chap. I. Of the Vitriolic Acid.
1. Process. To extract Vitriol from the Pyrites	159
2. To extract Sulphur from the Pyrites, and other Sulphureous Minerals	162
3. To extract Alum from aluminous Minerals	165
4. To extract the Vitriolic Acid from Copperas or Green Vitriol	170
5. To decompose Sulphur, and extract its Acid, by burning it	174
6. To concentrate the Vitriolic Acid	176
7. To decompound Vitriolated Tartar by means of the Phlogiston; or to compose Sulphur by combining the Vitriolic Acid with the Phlogiston	179
Chap. II. Of the Nitrous Acid.
1. Process. To Extract Nitre out of Nitrous Earths and Stones. The Purification of Salt-Petre. Mother of Nitre. Magnesia	181
2. To decompose Nitre by means of the Phlogiston. Nitre fixed by Charcoal. Clyssus of Nitre. Sal Polychrestum	186
3. To decompose Nitre by means of the Vitriolic Acid. The Smoking Spirit of Nitre. Sal de duobus. The Purification of Spirit of Nitre	191
Chap. III. Of the Marine Acid.
1. Process. To extract Sea-salt from Sea-water, and from Brine-springs. Epsom Salt	195
2. Experiments concerning the Decomposition of Sea-salt by means of the Phlogiston. Kunckel’s Phosphorus	197
3. To decompose Sea-salt by means of the Vitriolic Acid. Glauber’s Salt. The Purification and Concentration of Spirit of Salt	211
4. To decompose Sea-salt by means of the Nitrous Acid. Aqua regis. Quadrangular Nitre	217
Chap. IV. Of Borax.	218
SECTION II.
Of Operations on Minerals.
Chap. I. Of Gold.
1. Process. To separate Gold, by Amalgamation with Mercury, from the Earths and Stones with which it is found mixed	223
2. To dissolve Gold in Aqua Regis, and by that means separate it from Silver. Aurum Fulminans. Aurum Fulminans reduced	227
3. To dissolve Gold by Liver of Sulphur	232
4. To separate Gold from all other Metalline substances by means of Antimony	233
Chap. II. Of Silver.
1. Process. To separate Silver from its Ore, by means of Scorification with Lead	238
2. The refining of Silver by the Cupel	243
3. To purify Silver by Nitre	248
4. To dissolve Silver in Aqua Fortis, and thereby separate it from every other Metalline substance. The Purification of Aqua Fortis. Silver precipitated by Copper	250
5. To separate Silver from the Nitrous Acid by Distillation. Crystals of Silver. The Infernal Stone	254
6. To separate Silver from the Nitrous Acid by Precipitation. Luna Cornea. Luna Cornea reduced	256
7. To dissolve Silver, and separate it from Gold, by Cementation	258
Chap. III. Of Copper.
1. Process. To separate Copper from its Ore	262
2. To purify Black Copper, and render it malleable	264
3. To deprive Copper of its Phlogiston by Calcination	266
4. To resuscitate the Calx of Copper, and reduce it to Metal, by restoring its Phlogiston	267
5. To dissolve Copper in the Mineral Acids	268
Chap. IV. Of Iron.
1. Process. To separate Iron from its Ore	270
2. To render Pig-iron and brittle Iron malleable	273
3. To convert Iron into Steel	274
4. The Calcination of Iron. Sundry Saffrons of Mars	276
5. Iron dissolved by the mineral Acids	277
Chap. V. Of Tin.
1. Process. To extract Tin from its Ore	279
2. The Calcination of Tin	280
3. The Dissolution of Tin by Acids	284
Chap. VI. Of Lead.
1. Process. To extract Lead from its Ore	286
2. To separate Lead from Copper	289
3. The Calcination of Lead	292
4. To prepare Glass of Lead	293
5. Lead dissolved by the Nitrous Acid	295
Chap. VII. Of Mercury.
1. Process. To extract Mercury from its Ore, or to revivify it from Cinabar	298
2. To give Mercury, by the action of Fire, the appearance of a Metalline Calx	301
3. To dissolve Mercury in the Vitriolic Acid. Turbith Mineral	302
4. To combine Mercury with Sulphur. Æthiop’s Mineral	304
5. To sublime the Combination of Mercury and Sulphur into Cinabar	306
6. To dissolve Mercury in the Nitrous Acid. Sundry Mercurial Precipitates	307
7. To combine Mercury with the Acid of Sea-salt. Corrosive Sublimate	308
8. Sweet Sublimate	312
9. The Panacea of Mercury	314
SECTION III.
Of Operations on the Semi-Metals.
Chap. I. Of Antimony.
1. Process. To separate Antimony from its Ore	315
2. The common Regulus of Antimony	316
3. Regulus of Antimony precipitated by Metals	318
4. The Calcination of Antimony	321
5. Calx of Antimony reduced to a Regulus	323
6. Antimony calcined with Nitre. Liver of Antimony. Crocus Metallorum	325
7. Another Calcination of Antimony with Nitre. Diaphoretic Antimony. Materia Perlata. Clyssus of Antimony	326
8. Calx of Antimony vitrified	330
9. Kermes Mineral	331
10. Regulus of Antimony dissolved in the Mineral Acids	335
11. Regulus of Antimony combined with the Acid of Sea-salt Butter of Antimony. Cinabar of Antimony	338
12. Butter of Antimony decompounded by means of Water only. Pulvis Algaroth, or Mercurius Vitæ. The Philosophic Spirit of Vitriol	342
13. Bezoar Mineral. The Bezoartic Spirit of Nitre	343
14. Flowers of Antimony	347
15. Regulus of Antimony converted into Flowers	348
Chap. II. Of Bismuth.
1. Process. To extract Bismuth from its Ore	350
2. Bismuth dissolved by Acids. Magistery of Bismuth. Sympathetic Ink	352
Chap. III. Of Zinc.
1. Process. To extract Zinc from its Ore, or Calamine	357
2. To sublime Zinc into Flowers	359
3. To combine Zinc with Copper. Brass. Prince’s Metal, &c.	361
4. Zinc dissolved in the Mineral Acids	365
Chap. IV. Of Arsenic.
1. Process. To extract Arsenic from its matrix. Zafre or Smalt	367
2. To separate Arsenic from Sulphur	371
3. To give Arsenic the Metalline Form. Regulus of Arsenic	374
4. To distil the Nitrous Acid by the interposition of Arsenic. Blue Aqua Fortis. A new Neutral Salt of Arsenic	377
5. To alkalizate Nitre by Arsenic	379
PART II. Of Vegetables.
SECTION I. Operations on unfermented Vegetables.
Chap. I. Of the Substances obtained from Vegetables by Expression only.
1. Process. To express and depurate the juice of a Plant, containing its Essential Salt. The crystallization of that Salt	383
2. To draw the Oils out of Kernels, Seeds, and Fruits, by Expression	386
3. To draw the Essential Oils of certain Fruits by Expression	387
Chap. II. Of the Substances obtained from Vegetables by Triture.
1. Process. To make the Extract of a Plant by Trituration	389
2. To extract from Seeds and Kernels, by Trituration, the matter of Emulsions	392
Chap. III. Of Operations on Fat Oils.
1. Process. To attenuate Fat Oils, and change their nature, by exposing them to the action of fire, and distilling them	395
2. To combine Fat Oils with Acids. The decomposition of this combination	398
3. To combine Fat Oils with Fixed Alkalis. Hard and Soft Soap. The decomposition of Soap	400
4. To combine Fat Oils with Sulphur	405
5. To combine Fat Oils with Lead, and the Calces of Lead. The Basis of Plasters. The decomposition of this combination	406
Chap. IV. Of the substances obtained from Vegetables with a degree of heat not exceeding that of boiling water.
1. Process. To obtain from Plants, by distilling them with the mean degree of heat between freezing and boiling water, a liquor impregnated with their Principle of Odour	408
2. To extract the Fat Oils of Plants by Decoction in boiling water. Cacao-Butter	410
3. To extract the Essential Oils of Plants by Distillation with the heat of boiling water. Distilled Water	412
4. To extract the Essential Oils of Plants by distillation per descensum	418
5. Infusions, Decoctions, and Extracts of Plants	419
Chap. V. Of Operations on Essential Oils.
1. Process. The Rectification of Essential Oils	422
2. To fire Oils by combining them with highly concentrated Acids: instanced in Oil of Turpentine	426
3. To combine Essential Oils with mineral Sulphur. Balsam of Sulphur. This composition decompounded	434
4. To combine Essential Oils with Fixed Alkalis. Starkey’s Soap	438
Chap. VI. Of the Substances obtained from Vegetables by means of a graduated heat, from that of boiling water, to the strongest that can be applied to them in close vessels.
1. Process. To analyze vegetable substances that yield neither a Fat nor an Essential Oil: instanced in Guaiacum-Wood	440
2. To analyze a vegetable substance which yields the same principles as are obtained from Animal matters: instanced in Mustard-seed	445
Chap. VII. Of the Substances obtained from Vegetables by Combustion.
1. Process. To procure a Fixed, Caustic, Alkaline Salt from a vegetable substance, by burning it in the open air	448
2. To procure the Fixed Salt of a Plant, by burning it after the manner of Tachenius	453
3. To render Fixed Alkalis very Caustic by means of Lime. The Caustic Stone	455
4. The Analysis of Soot	457
Chap. VIII. The Analyses of some particular substances belonging to the Vegetable Kingdom.
1. Process. Analysis of the Native Balsams: instanced in Turpentine	460
2. The Analysis of Resins: instanced in Benjamin. The Flowers and Oil of Benjamin	463
Reflections on the Nature and Properties of Camphor	465
3. The Analysis of Bitumens: instanced in Amber. The Volatile Salt and Oil of Amber	467
4. The Analysis of Bee’s Wax, and such Oily Compounds as are analogous to it	472
5. The Saccharine juices of Plants analyzed: instanced in Honey	474
6. Gummy substances analyzed: instanced in Gum Arabic	476
SECTION II. Of Operations on Fermented Vegetable Substances.
Chap. I. Of the Product of Spirituous Fermentation.
1. Process. To make Wine of Vegetable Substances that are susceptible of Spirituous Fermentation	478
2. To draw an Ardent Spirit from substances that have undergone the Spirituous Fermentation. The Analysis of Wine	482
3. To dephlegmate Spirit of Wine by the means of Fixed Alkalis. Spirit of Wine analyzed	486
Chap. II. Spirit of Wine combined with different Substances.
1. Process. To combine Spirit of Wine with the Vitriolic Acid. This combination decompounded. Rabel’s Water. Æther. Sweet Oil of Vitriol. Hoffman’s Anodyne Mineral Liquor	492
2. Spirit of Wine combined with Spirit of Nitre. Sweet Spirit of Nitre	503
3. Spirit of Wine combined with the Acid of Sea-salt. Dulcified Spirit of Salt	508
4. Oils, or Oily matters, that are soluble in Spirit of Wine, separated from Vegetables, and dissolved, by means of that Menstruum. Tinctures; Elixirs; Varnishes. Aromatic Strong Waters	510
Chap. III. Of Tartar.
1. Process. Tartar analyzed by distillation. The Spirit, Oil, and Alkaline Salt of Tartar	514
2. The depuration of Tartar. Cream and Crystals of Tartar	517
Chap. IV. Crystal of Tartar combined with several substances.
1. Process. Crystal of Tartar combined with Absorbent Earths. Soluble Tartars	519
2. Crystal of Tartar combined with Fixed Alkalis. The Vegetable Salt. Saignette’s Salt. The decomposition of Soluble Tartar	524
3. Crystal of Tartar combined with Iron. Chalybeated Tartar. Tincture of Steel with Tartar. Soluble Chalybeated Tartar	528
4. Crystal of Tartar combined with the reguline part of Antimony. Stibiated or Emetic Tartar	534
Chap. V. Of the Product of Acetous Fermentation.
1. Process. Substances susceptible of the Acetous Fermentation turned into Vinegar	536
2. To concentrate Vinegar by Frost	540
3. Vinegar analyzed by distillation	542
Chap. VI. The Acid of Vinegar combined with different Substances.
1. Process. The Acid of Vinegar combined with Alkaline Substances. Foliated Salt of Tartar, or Regenerated Tartar. Decomposition of that Salt	547
2. The Acid of Vinegar combined with Copper. Verdegris. Crystals of Copper. This combination decompounded. Spirit of Verdegris	550
3. The Acid of Vinegar combined with Lead. Ceruse. Salt or Sugar of Lead. This combination decompounded	552
Chap. VII. Of the Putrid Fermentation of Vegetable Substances.
1. Process. The Putrefaction of Vegetables	557
2. Putrefied Vegetable substances analyzed	559
PART III. Of Operations on Animal Substances.
CHAP. I. Of Milk.
1. Process. Milk separated into Butter, Curd, and Whey: instanced in Cow’s Milk	562
2. Butter analyzed by distillation	566
3. The Curd of Milk analyzed by distillation	569
4. Whey analyzed	571
Chap. II. Of the Substances which compose an Animal Body.
1. Process. Blood analyzed: instanced in Bullock’s Blood	574
2. Flesh analyzed: instanced in Beef	580
3. Bones analyzed: instanced in Ox-bones	583
4. Animal Fat analyzed: instanced in Mutton-Suet	584
5. Eggs analyzed: instanced in Pullet’s Eggs	586
Chap. III. Of Animal Excrements.
1. Process. Dung analyzed: instanced in Human Excrement. Mr. Homberg’s Phosphorus	588
2. Human Urine analyzed	596
Chap. IV. Of Volatile Alkalis.
1. Process. Volatile Alkalis rectified and depurated	599
2. Volatile Alkalis combined with Acids. Sundry Ammoniacal Salts. Sal Ammoniac	602
3. Sal Ammoniac decompounded by Acids	607
4. Sal Ammoniac decompounded by Fixed Alkalis. Volatile Salt. The Febrifuge of Sylvius	608
5. Sal Ammoniac decompounded by Absorbent Earths and Lime. Volatile Spirit of Sal Ammoniac. Fixed Sal Ammoniac. Oil of Lime	611
6. Volatile Alkalis combined with oily matters. A Volatile Oily Aromatic Salt	616
Illustrations
PLATE FIRST. Alembics.	621
PLATE SECOND. Alembic and other equipment.	622
PLATE THIRD. Reverberating Furnace.	623
PLATE FOURTH. Cupelling Furnace.	624
GEOFFROY’S TABLE of the COMPARATIVE AFFINITIES	625
INDEX	629