Practical directions for the preparation of aërated waters, and the various compounds of carbonic acid gas, by Bakewell's patent apparatus : with observations upon the pharmaceutical and therapeutical agencies ...

Front matter

p a «i m i> c

IjT, A. .

U J a

Preface

Last year, when engaged with Mr. Knight upon the construction of a chemical chest, he directed my attention to the Patent Aerating Apparatus, for the more easy and effectual preparation of the purest soda water, and free from every possible impurity or contamination. On explaining to me the construction and use of the Apparatus, I was no less surprised than gratified at its extreme simplicity. On reflection, it occurred to me that it might be rendered subservient to pharmaceutical purposes; but my views at first were limited to the preparation of proto-carbonate of iron, for the fulfilment of therapeutical indications. The administration of iron in its most efficient form, that of proto-salt, has long been an object of anxious speculation. Not that the preparation of protoxide proves a difficulty in chemistry, but the preservation of it in this state has hitherto proved an insurmountable obstacle. The proto-salts of iron pass so rapidly into persalts that they cannot be conveniently preserved at the minimum of

PREFACE.

oxidation by any means hitherto devised. The Patent Apparatus, however, relieves us from this inconvenience, and insures to us, — what has been long felt as a desideratum,— a means not only of preparing and preserving iron in its most energetic mode, or active condition, but of still further enhancing its virtues, by holding it in solution by an excess of carbonic acid gas.

Upon mentioning this subject to Mr. Knight, he very liberally offered me the use of an Apparatus, for the purpose of instituting any experiments, pharmaceutical or therapeutical, that I might feel disposed to make ; and it was the ease and facility of investigation thus placed at my command, that induced me to undertake the extended series of inquiries, which have given rise to the present production. The result of these inquiries, therefore, and which are here given to the public, is not mere speculation, nor even legitimate inferences from known phenomena, but positive facts ; the certainty of which has been fully established by repeated observations and experiments.

The arrangement I have endeavoured to render as simple as possible, at the same time consulting clearness and perspicuity. In the first place, some general history of carbonic acid is submitted, and the different sources and methods of obtaining it. The preference is here given to the sesquicarbonate of soda for the evolution of the gas, rather to annihilate all suspicion, than from any conviction of the possibility of impurity.

PREFACE.

The construction of the Apparatus is such, as to obviate any possible contamination from the ordinary sources of carbonic acid.

I have considered the agencies of carbonic acid, both as a chemical solvent and precipitant, and as a pharmaceutical and therapeutical agent. Upon these subjects I have advanced scarcely anything that I have not verified by actual experiment ; and the only matter upon which 1 entertain the slightest doubt, is the extent of the solvent action of carbonic acid upon oxalate of lime. But in this diathesis it is not of much importance, because the indication often is to change the oxalate of lime diathesis to the lithic acid one ; and, therefore, though chemically inert, it will offer a grateful adjunct to the other means. In the pharmaceutical and therapeutical divisions, I have entered as fully into the capabilities and applications of this gas as the circumstances seemed to me to require ; and I think the present will be found to present a concise summary of all that is useful or necessary to be known upon these subjects.

The observations under the head of “ Special Therapeutics,” or the applications of carbonic acid gas to the relief or cure of individual diseases, may at first sight appear to savour somewhat of a universal remedy. But it must be remembered, that carbonic is acid but one member or element of a greater variety of agents or compounds, suited to the cure, or at least, to the treats

PREFACE.

ment of a great number of diseases, very different in their characters, and opposite even in their nature ; and the carbonic acid is in such cases to be regarded as a means of enhancing their virtues, or of rendering them more capable and energetic in fulfilling special indications.

In considering special therapeutics, or the treatment of individual diseases, I have generally omitted those parts of the treatment not connected with carbonic acid and its factitious compounds. This seemed necessary, in order, first, to confine this summary to the prescribed limits : secondly, to prevent it assuming that exclusively professional character inconsistent with its nature and objects ; and yet it is hoped that the professional reader, who has not zealously and practically applied himself to the subject, will find much in this little treatise to instruct him, and to enable him to render his means more agreeable to his patient, and more active in their curative powers ; and this too with a degree of ease and facility hitherto unknown. Indeed, I myself have little doubt that ere loug the Patent Aerating Apparatus will become as indispensable to the laboratory of the practitioner, or pharmacien, as either a mortar or a pestle.

The general reader it will initiate in the means of ministering to his own health and gratification, and of indulging his friends with all the elegance and luxury of some of the most grateful and agreeable beverages.

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Thus effervescing home-made wines may be prepared on the instant, and champagne imitated almost at the moment it is required.

In the Appendix the articles essential to the preparation of several important compounds, whether as articles of luxury, or as medicinal agents, are briefly enumerated, and the precise quantities required for the necessary reactions are stated. Likewise will be found in the tables an analysis of the principal mineral waters, upon Dr. Murray’s views of proximate composition. The second table reduces the quantities, from those of a wine gallon, or 58,327 grains troy, to those required for a half pint, so as to enable us at pleasure, immediately to prepare an artificial, or factitious imitation of any of these mineral waters.

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SYNOPSIS OF CONTENTS.

General use of Aerated Waters .

Importance of obtaining them in a pure state . »

Description of Bakewell’s Patent Portable Aerating Apparatus ..... . . , .

Method of using it ......

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CARBONIC ACID

Its nature and properties Evolution ....

Chemical properties and agencies Chemical combinations

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Alkaline Carbonates : — Carbonate of Potass Bi-carbonate of Potass Carbonate of Soda Bi-carbonate of Soda

Carbonate of Lime .....

Carbonate of Magnesia ....

Reason for using the term Metallic . Protocarbonate of Iron ....

Carbonate of Iron .....

Protochloride of Iron ....

Use of carbonic acid for Pharmaceutical purposes Therapeutical Agencies : — ■

Narcotic agencies .....

Anti-spasmodic agencies ....

Tonic agencies ......

Astringent agencies .....

Cathartic agencies .....

Emmenagogue agencies ....

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Contents

Diuretic agencies .......

Antacid agencies .......

Lithontriptic agencies ......