Experiments upon magnesia alba, Quicklime, and some other Alcaline Substances

The paper investigates magnesia alba, quicklime, and related alkaline earths through carefully controlled experiments and quantitative measurements. It compares methods for preparing magnesia from bittern, epsom salt, and common salt, sets out purification and washing procedures, and distinguishes different absorbent earths by their chemical behavior. It examines medicinal effects such as purgative action and explains formation of neutral salts when acids and alkalis combine. Numerical results support conclusions, notably that removing a quantity of air from lime and alkalis causes a loss of weight while preserving their capacity to saturate acid without effervescence, indicating a role for contained air in their composition.