The evolution of artificial mineral waters / by William Kirkby.
- Kirkby, William
- Date:
- 1902
Licence: In copyright
Credit: The evolution of artificial mineral waters / by William Kirkby. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.
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![consisting of three principal parts: (i) a very subtile matter—in all probability an extremely moveable or subtile aither ; (2) of moisture, or what for distinction's sake may be called elementary water; and (3) of a solid body, whether of an earthy or saline nature. The first of these was still thought to be vitriolic in character, because it was observed that after the gas had become dissipated the waters lost their power of producing a dark colour with galls. It was, no doubt, a natural assumption that the vitriolic principle resided in the gas, seeing that the indications of vitriol were not given after the gas was lost. Of course, the truth was that the substance (iron) which gave this reaction had really been precipitated. Hoffman ascribed the most extravagant virtues to the very subtile, active, and elastic principle. This noble, native spirit, he says, it is, which, by its penetrating nature and admirable faculty, renders itself perceptible to the smell and the sense; not only affording a grateful odour in its exhalation, but also filling the whole head therewith. This principle we take for their [mineral waters] most curious and effectual part, or as it were the soul. He further gives it as his opinion that it is a portion of the universal spirit, the fountain and cause of all the particular spirits in other things, whether of the vegetable, animal, or mineral kingdom. While he encouraged the hope that the solid constituents of mineral waters would be ultimately recognised, he thought that the delicate nature of this spirit is the true and principal cause of the great difficulty, even by the utmost address of art, of preparing waters (in a chemical way), that shall perfectly](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b23983267_0030.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
