A new theory of acute and slow continu'd fevers : wherein, besides the appearances of such, and the manner of their cure, occasionally, the structure of the glands, and the manner and laws of secretion, the operation of purgative, vomitive, and mercurial medicines, are mechanically explained. To which is prefixed, An essay concerning the improvements of the theory of medicine.

  • Cheyne, George, 1671 or 1672-1743.
Date:
1744
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A new theory of acute and slow continu'd fevers : wherein, besides the appearances of such, and the manner of their cure, occasionally, the structure of the glands, and the manner and laws of secretion, the operation of purgative, vomitive, and mercurial medicines, are mechanically explained. To which is prefixed, An essay concerning the improvements of the theory of medicine. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    102/162 (page 94)
    I. As to the JirJi I Juppofe, i. That pure Mercury, or Quickfil- ver, confifts of Parts (I mean thofe of the firft Compofition, by which I underftand an Aggregate of the fmalleft and leaft con- ilituent Particles of any Body, and an Ag¬ gregate of thefe Aggregates I call of the fe- cond Compofition ; and fo on) exceedingly finall, equal, and perfe&ly fpherical. This has been fuppofed by all who have Written any thing tolerable about the Na¬ ture of this Mineral. It is true indeed, fome have fuppofed it fo, becaufe they faw that dividing Mercury upon a plain (even by the Afiiftance of a Microfcope) ftill the upper Part retained its Sphericity, which*: they could not fo eafily obferve in other Fluids: But the true Reafon of this is,, The great Gravity of the Mercury, in ref- pedt of other Fluids, and the uniform Pref- fure of the Medium. For all Fluids will retain their Sphericity till their Quantity be: fo diminilhed (either by there being another Heterogeneous fpecifically lighter Body in¬ cluded .in them, or by their Gravity de~ creafing at a greater rate than their Surfaces) that they are of equal Gravity with the une¬ qual Portion of the Medium they are in, and: then