Volume 1

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

  • Macquer, Pierre Joseph, 1718-1784.
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.

    38/464 (page 12)
    ties of Bodies ; becaufe it is neceffary to know thefe, in order to a diilind conception of the different combinations we are to treat of. All the experiments hitherto made concur with daily obfervation to prove that different bodies, whether principles or compounds, have fiuch a mu¬ tual Conformity, Relation, Affinity, orAttradion, if you will call it fo, as difpofes feme of them to join and unite together, while they are incapable of con- trading any union with others. This effed, what¬ ever be its caufe, will enable us to account for, and conned together, all the phenomena that Chy- miftry produces. The nature of this univerfal af- fedion of matter is diilindly laid down in the fol¬ lowing proportions. Firft, If one fubflance has any Affinity or con¬ formity with another, the two will unite together, and form one compound. M. ‘Secondly, It may be laid down as a general rule, that all fimilar fubflances have an Affinity with each other, and are confequently difpofcd to unite-, as water with water, earth with earth, CT. Thirdly, Subftances that unite together lofefome of their feparate properties ; and the compounds re¬ futing f om their union partake of the properties of thofe fubflances which ierve as their principles. Fourthly, The fimpler any fubflances are, the more perceptible and confiderable are their Affinities : whence it follows, that the lefs bodies are com¬ pounded, the more difficult it is to analyfe them ; that is, to feparate from each other the principles of which they confiil. Fifthly, If a body confifl of two fubflances, and to this compound be prefented a third fubflance that has no Ainnity at all with one of the two pri¬ mary fubflances aforefaid, but has a greater Affinity with the other than thofe two fubflances have with each other, there will enllie a decompofition, and a new