Volume 1

Elements of chemistry, in a new systematic order, containing all the modern discoveries. ... / by Mr. Lavoisier. Translated from the French by Robert Kerr.

  • Lavoisier, Antoine Laurent, 1743-1794.
Date:
1802
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Elements of chemistry, in a new systematic order, containing all the modern discoveries. ... / by Mr. Lavoisier. Translated from the French by Robert Kerr. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    67/432 (page 61)
    to an elaftic aëriform fluid, with which I filled feveral bottles fucceflively, F, G, &c. This is not the place to enter upon thc exami- nation of the nature and properties of this aëri- form fluid, which is extremely inflammable j but, confining inyfelf to the objedt at prefent in view, without anticipating circumftances, which I am not to fuppofe the reader to know, I lhali only obferve, that the ether, from this experi- ment, is almoft only capable ot exifting in the aëriform ftate in our ufual températures ; for, if the weight of our atmofphere was only equal ta between 20 and 24 inches of the barometer, in- ftead of 28 inches, we fliould never be able to obtain ether in the liquid ftate, at leaft in fum- mer. The préparation of ether would confe- quently be impofïible upon mountains of a mo- derate degree of élévation, as it would be con- verted into gas immediately upon being produ- ced, unlefs we employed récipients of extraor- dinary ftrength, affifted by réfrigération and compreftion. And, laftly, the température of the blood being jiearly that at which ether pafîes from the liquid to the aëriform ftate, it muft eva- porate in the pvimæ viæ, and confequently it is very probable that the medical properties of tins fluid dépend chiefly upon its mechanical effect. Thefe experiments fucceed better with nitrous ether, becaufe it evaporates in a lower tempéra- ture than fulphuric ether. It is more difficult to