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Elements of the theory and practice of chymistry / Translated [by Andrew Reid] from the French of M. Macquer.

  • Macquer, Pierre Joseph, 1718-1784. Élémens de chymie théorique. English
Date:
1758
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Elements of the theory and practice of chymistry / Translated [by Andrew Reid] from the French of M. Macquer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    431/464 (page 405)
    contracted with that metal]ic fubftance from being fo eafily confumed. The Æthiops therefore, which is prepared by fufion and burning the Sulphur, con¬ tains a much greater proportion of Mercury than that which is made by fimple triture ; fo that in Me¬ dicine it ought to beprefcribed in different cafes, and in fmaller dofes. If no more Sulphur than is juft neceffary to kill the Mercury be added to it at firft, it will be dif¬ ficult to obtain a perfect mixture ; becaufe that quantity is very fmall : it is better therefore to em¬ ploy at once the quantity above dire&ed. PROCESS V. To fublime the combination of Mercury and Sulphur into Cinabar. GRIND to powder Æthiops mineral prepared by fire. Put it into a cucurbit ; fit thereto a bead ; place it inafand-bath, and begin with apply¬ ing iuch a degree of heat as is requifite to fublime Sulphur. A black matter will rife, and adhere to the fides of the veffel. When nothing more will rife with this degree of heat, raile the fire fo as to make the fand and the bottom of the cucurbit red ; and then the remaining matter will fublime in the form of a brownifh red mafs, which is true Cinabar. OBSERVATIONS. Æthiops mineral requires nothing but fublima- tion to become true Cinabar, like that found in Quick-filver mines : but our Æthiops contains ftill more Sulphur than ought to be in the compofition of Cinabar ; for which reafon we have directed the degree of fire applied at firft to be no greater than that which is capable of fubliming Sulphur. As Cinabar, though confiding of Mercury and Sul- D d 3 phur*