Elements of chemical philosophy : on the basis of Reid, comprising the rudiments of that science and the requisite experimental illustrations, with plates and diagrams.

  • Mitchell, Thomas D. (Thomas Duché), 1791-1865.
Date:
1832
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Elements of chemical philosophy : on the basis of Reid, comprising the rudiments of that science and the requisite experimental illustrations, with plates and diagrams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    ELEMENTS OF CHEMICAL, PHILOSOPHY. PART I. CHAPTER I. General Remarks. Division of Bodies. Various Kinds of Attraction Phenomena of Combination. Influence of external Agents on Decomposition. Application of the Laws of Chemical Affinity. The term philosophy, embraces a variety of important sci- ences, each of which has modes of illustration, peculiar to itself. Thus, for example, geometry measures the angles and the vari- ous dimensions of bodies; the naturalist takes cognisance of the external forms of bodies, of their color, odor, structure and all their obvious qualities; while the chemist, not unmindful of these points of study, superadds modes that are perfectly sui generis. He looks into the minute particles or atoms of sub- stances, penetrates into their very centre, detaches their inte- grant parts, and endeavors to determine the elements which make up their composition. Hence, arose a definition of chem- istry, that was formerly very popular, viz. that it had for its ob- ject, the knowledge of the molecular and mutual action of bodies on each other. Such has been the progress of chemical science, that it now takes a more extensive range; and just in proportion to the multiplication of discoveries, will be the magnitude of its scope and influence. A striking difference between natural philosophy and chem- istry, consists in the nature of the subjects over which they pre- side. The former takes cognisance of matter in mass, while the latter acts upon the imperceptibly minute atoms of bodies.