being changed into gold: hence, the chief object of their researches was the discovery of an agent, by which this great change was to be effected. The substance || supposed to possess this wonderful property was called "the philosopher's stone;" the touch of which was to change every kind of metal into gold.

and the universal remedy, were, at length, abandoned, as fruitless and visionary; yet the numerous experiments which had been instituted on these accounts, were attended with the incidental advantage of a considerable dexterity in the performance of || chemical operations, together with the discovery of many new substances, and valuable facts, which, without these strong incentives, would have remained, at least,

9. Although none of the medicines pro

5. The greatest rage for alchymy prevailed between the tenth and sixteenth centuries. The writers on this subject || much longer in obscurity. who appeared during that period, are very numerous; most of whom are unintelli- || duced in the chemical laboratory answered gible, except to those initiated into the the chimerical expectations of the chemists, art; many of them, however, display great in curing all diseases, and in rendering acuteness, and an extensive acquaintance || the perishable body of man immortal, yet with natural objects. They all boast that they proved sufficiently valuable in the they are in possession of the philosopher's healing art, to command the attention of stone, and profess the ability of communi- || the profession all over Europe. The adopcating a knowledge of making it to others. 6. Their writings and confident professions gained almost implicit credit, and many unwary persons were thus exposed to the tricks of impostors, who offered to communicate their secret for a pecuniary reward. Having obtained the sum proposed, they either absconded, or wearied out their patrons with tedious and ex-spicuous place in the Materia Medica; pensive processes.

7. Chemists, for a long time, had supposed it possible to discover, by their art, a medicine which should not only cure but || prevent all diseases, and prolong life to an indefinite period, even to immortality. This notion gradually becoming prevalent, || the word chemistry acquired a more extensive application, and embraced not only the art of making gold, but also that of preparing "the universal medicine." Some of these visionary men asserted, that the philosopher's stone, was this wonderful panacea.

8. Few readers need be informed, that the researches for the philosopher's stone,

tion of chemical medicines, however, was, at first, everywhere opposed, either as unsafe remedies, or as being inferior in efficacy to those which had been used for so many centuries.

10. These prejudices having given way to the light of experience, chemical medicines came, at length, to occupy a con

and their value within the present century has become still more manifest. One of the most useful branches of Chemistry, therefore, is to make the various preparations used in the medical art.

11. The most efficient agent in the introduction of chemical medicines, was Theophilus Paracelsus. This singular individual was born near Zurich, in Switzerland. Having studied chemistry under two masters, he commenced a rambling life, in pursuit of chemical and medical knowledge; and, having visited Italy, France, and Germany, where he met with many whimsical adventures, which contributed greatly to advance his reputation,

pended.

15. We have been thus particular in noticing this individual, because he was the first who gave public lectures on chemistry in Europe, and because he gave the first great impulse in favour of chemical medicines. He also carried his speculations concerning the philosopher's stone, and the universal remedy, to the greatest height of absurdity; and, by exemplifying their inutility and fallacy in his own person, he contributed more than any one else to their disrepute and subsequent banishment from the science.

he was elected, in 1527, to fill the chair circumstance, his great reputation deof chemistry, in the University of Basle. 12. One of the first acts of this arrogant professor was to burn, with the utmost solemnity, while seated in his chair, the works of Galen and Avicenna, declaring to his audience, that if God would not impart the secrets of physic, it was not only allowable, but even justifiable, to consult the Devil. He also treated his contemporaries with the same insolence, telling them, in a preface to one of his books, that "the very, down on his bald pate had more knowledge than all their writers, the buckle of his shoes more learning than Galen and Avicenna,-and his beard more experience than all their universities."

13. It could not be expected that a man with such a temper could long retain his situation; and, accordingly, he was driven from it, in 1528, by a quarrel with those who had conferred the appointment. From this time he rambled about the country, chiefly in Germany, leading a life of extreme intemperance, in the lowest company. Nevertheless, he still maintained his reputation as a physician, by the extraordinary cures occasionally effected by his powerful remedies, although his failures were equally conspicuous.

14. But the most signal failure of his remedies occurred in his own person; for, after having boasted for many years of possessing an elixir which would prolong life to an indefinite period, he died, in 1541, at Salzburg, with a bottle of his immortal catholicon in his pocket. The medicines on which Paracelsus chiefly relied, were opium, antimony, and various preparations of mercury. He has the merit of applying the last, especially, to cases in which they had not been before used; and upon this

16. Researches for the philosopher's stone, and the universal remedy, having been, at length, relinquished, the chemical facts which had been collected became, in the general estimation, a heap of rubbish of little value. At this time, there arose an individual thoroughly acquainted with these facts, and capable of perceiving the important purposes to which they might be applied.

17. The name of this individual was John Joachim Becher. He published a work in 1669, entitled "Physica Subterranica," by which he gave a new direction to chemistry, by applying it to analyzing and ascertaining the constituent parts of material bodies; and his system is the foundation of the science, as it now exists.

18. George Earnest Stahl, a medical professor in the University of Halle, adopted the theory of Becher, and, after his death, edited the work just mentioned; but he so simplified and improved it, that he made it entirely his own; and, accordingly, it has always been distinguished by the appellation of the Stahlian theory. The principal work of Stahl, on this subject, was published in 1729; and, since

M

that time, chemistry has been cultivated || phlogiston. To distinguish, therefore, the with ardour in Germany, and in other new theory from the one which it supercountries in the north of Europe. seded, it was called the pneumatic or antiphlogistic system.

19. In France, chemistry became a fashionable study, about the middle of the eighteenth century: it had, however, been cultivated there by a few individuals, long|| before that period. Men of eminence now appeared in all parts of the kingdom, and discoveries in the science were made in rapid succession. Some attention was also paid to it in Italy and Spain.

20. In Great Britain, this subject attracted but little attention, except from a few individuals, until Dr. Cullen had become professor of the science, in the University of Edinburgh, in 1756. This accurate investigator of natural phenomena succeeded in enkindling an enthusiasm for chemical investigations among the students; and the subsequent experiments of Dr. Black, Mr. Cavendish, Dr. Priestley, and Lavoisier, which resulted in the discovery of the constituent parts of air and water, diffused the same ardour through every part of the kingdom.

21. Lavoisier, the celebrated French chemist, having proved the Stahlian theory to be incorrect, founded another on the chemical affinities and combinations of oxygen with the various substances in nature. This system has been generally adopted, since it explains a great number of phenomena more satisfactorily than any other ever proposed. The great chemical agent, in the Stahlian system, was supposed to be an inflammable substance, which was denominated by the theorist

22. In 1787, a new technical nomenclature was devised, by the aid of which all the chemical facts are easily retained in the memory. Twelve or fifteen terms have been found sufficient for the foundation of a methodical language; and, by changing the terminations of these radicals, or by prefixing certain words or syllables, the changes that take place in bodies are clearly expressed. This valuable innovation originated with Lavoisier and three other French chemists.

23. The present century has been particularly distinguished by numerous and important discoveries in chemical science; but our limits do not permit us to enter into further details: we will merely state, that, among the many eminent men who have devoted their attention to this comprehensive science, Sir Humphrey Davy, of Great Britain, seems to be entitled to the greatest consideration.

24. Chemistry is so extensive in its application, that we will not attempt to describe any of the operations of the laboratory. We, therefore, conclude this article by recommending this science to general attention; assuring the uninitiated, that it is beset with fewer difficulties than they are apt to suppose, and that every effort in the course will be attended with interesting facts and phenomena, which will abundantly reward the labour of investigation.

1. THE druggist is a wholesale dealer || sometimes operative, or manufacturing in drugs, which, in commerce, embrace chemists. not only articles used or recommended by the medical profession, but also spices, dyestuffs, and paints. The commodities of his trade are obtained from almost every quarter of the globe; but especially from the countries bordering upon the Mediterranean sea, and from the East Indies and Spanish America.

2. The chemist looks to the druggist for most of the materials employed in his laboratory; and from him the apothecary, physician, and country merchant, obtain their chief supply of medicines. There are, however, but few persons, in the United States, who confine themselves exclusively to this branch of business; for most of the druggists are also apothecaries, and

3. Medicinals, when they come into the warehouse of the druggist, are usually in a crude state; and many, or most, of them must necessarily undergo a variety of changes, of a chemical or mechanical nature, before they can be applied in practice. The art by which these changes are effected is called Pharmacy, or Pharmaceutics; and the books which treat of pharmaceutical operations are denominated Pharmacopoeias, or Dispensatories.

4. The operations of Pharmacy, which depend upon chemical principles, are conducted chiefly by the operative chemist; but those which consist merely in mechanical reduction, or in mixing together different ingredients, to form compounds, belong

The apothecaries' halls, in France, are also under the supervision of the medical faculty.

5. The apothecary sells medicines in small quantities, as they may be demanded for immediate appropriation by individuals or in families. Many of the standing compound preparations which have been authorized by the Pharmacopoeias, and which are in regular demand, he keeps ready prepared; but a great proportion of his business consists in compounding and putting up the prescriptions of the physician, || consider men of honour; and omit, at least, as they are needed by the patient.

9. In the United States, there is no censorship of this kind established by the public authorities; yet the physicians are careful to recommend a pothecaries in whom they have confidence, to prepare their prescriptions. The professors in our medical schools are, also, particular in naming to || their students those druggists whom they