A dissertation on the contents, virtues and uses, of cold and hot mineral springs; particularly, those of Scarborough: in a letter to Robert Robinson. Esq., recorder of that corporation / [Peter Shaw].

  • Peter Shaw
Date:
1735
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A dissertation on the contents, virtues and uses, of cold and hot mineral springs; particularly, those of Scarborough: in a letter to Robert Robinson. Esq., recorder of that corporation / [Peter Shaw]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    is ufed to quicken the Spawn, and abate of thofe Draughts, that without it, might be neceflfary, tho’ Naufeous. The Salt is bitter, tranfparent, folid, fmooth, crackles on hot Iron, readily diifolves, and iEews its alkaline Nature more, by making a ftrong Ebullition with Acids. The Third Principle of JEther, Air, or Mineral. Spirit, (as diverily call’d in Spawns,) is thought to be a Communication of Steam, from a Mineral Gas to them, the fame which Workmen in Mines frequently meet with, call’d Damp, or Vapour ; and though detain’d in Water, mu ft be extreamly fine and volatile, by its flying off fo foon, when feparated from the Fountain , fo that catching it in a Blad¬ der, bringing it over a Retort, or (Applying an Alfembly Room with it, feem all Chime¬ rical. It is Efficient for our Purpofe, that fuch a Spirit obvioufly refides in them, beyond other Waters ,• feen. Fir ft, by the greater Quantity of Bubbles generated, in fhaking a Vial of them ; In mixing with Rhenifh ; or arifing from under an Air Pump. Secondly, in their being feen, in fome meafure, to an- fwer the Deiign of Yeft in Bread, which, ac¬ cording to the Dobtrine of Fermentation, is carried on in any Subftances, from their Ap¬ titude to admit an eafy Entrance, or difficult Egrefs, of a materia fubtilis, or Etherial Matter, which is thought the principal and efficient Caufe of Fermentation. Thirdly.
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