An analysis of Dr. Rutty's Methodical synopsis of mineral waters : addressed, by way of appeal, to the Royal College of Physicians, London / By C. Lucas.

  • Lucas, Charles, 1713-1771.
Date:
1757
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An analysis of Dr. Rutty's Methodical synopsis of mineral waters : addressed, by way of appeal, to the Royal College of Physicians, London / By C. Lucas. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    t 93 3 r( which fhew, 1> that the [olid contents of the water are aimoft three times as much as the Doctor makes them ; that is, infbead of half an ounce, about one ounce and two drachms, in the gallon ; which makes about 35 granes to the pint, upon a medium, according to the comparative table, Essay, P. III. p. 103 ; 2. that, of thefe 3 5 granes, an inccnfiderable fradtion above three granes is an abforbent or calcarious earthy and about threefiveths, fielcnite ; 3. that, of the whole 35 granes, fomewhat above thirty one granes are a mixed fait, partly fixed and lixivial, the pur e mineral aleali; partly muriatic, or true fiea fialt. To which are added, a volatile vitriolic acid and thtphlogijlon, the principles, from whofe union, upon efcaping from the water, and being confined in the clcfie vaults, fiulphur is ge¬ nerated., notfiublimed. See Essay, P. III. p. 109, &c*. After fuch a confufed notion of the compofition of thefe waters, as our Debtor expreffes, it is not to be wondered, that the practice founded upon this, fhould be, as we find it, ahfiurd and contradictory. This may be judged from this pofition, Syn.p. 628, they corro¬ borate in relaxations, and relax in contractions, as is ob- fierved ofiour Bath waters, And the internal ufe is not lefs ridiculous than, they warm or heat the cold, and cool or at temper ate the hot. But, what better than fuch inconfiftencies, may be expefted from an unfair abfiiract er? an injudicious compiler? a pretender, quite a ftranger, to chemijiry ? He comes next to the baths of Baden, whem he glibly fwallows contradictions, as racis. Our author's au¬ thor makes this fomewhat like the waters at Aden. But, tells us, what his tranferiber feems to have faith to adopt, that though the impregnation of this water with folid contents, be inferior to that of Aken, that the hot water, of fome of the fprings, weighs more, by two granes in an ounce, than the 1 water of a (cold) neighbouring fpring. Howi