Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed.Macquer, Pierre Joseph
History
Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed.
Macquer, Pierre Joseph
Chemistry -- Early works to 1800
M. Stahl, having first observed that Gold is absolutely unalterable
and indestructible by the force of fire alone, be it ever so violent,
concludes, that without a miracle Moses could not possibly perform the
above-mentioned operations on the golden calf any way but by mixing
with the Gold some matter qualified to alter and dissolve it. He then
takes notice, that pure Sulphur does not act upon Gold at all, and
that many other substances, which are thought capable of dividing and
dissolving it, cannot however do it so completely as is necessary to
render that metal susceptible of the effects related. He then gives the
method of dissolving it by Liver of Sulphur, described in the process.
Liver of Sulphur dissolves likewise all the other metals: but M.
Stahl observes, that it attenuates Gold more than any other metallic
substance, and unites with it much more intimately than with the rest.
This appears from what happens, on attempting to dissolve in water
any of the mixts resulting from the union of another metal with the
Liver of Sulphur: for then the metal separates, and appears in the
form of a powder or fine calx; whereas, when Gold is united with Liver
of Sulphur, the whole compound dissolves in water so perfectly, that
the Gold even passes with the Liver of Sulphur through the pores of
filtering paper.
If an Acid be poured into a solution of this combination of Gold with
Liver of Sulphur, the Acid unites with the Alkali of the _Hepar_, and
the Gold falls to the bottom of the liquor along with the Sulphur,
which doth not quit it. The Sulphur thus precipitated with the Gold
is easily carried off by a slight torrefaction, after which the
Gold remains exceedingly comminuted. The Sulphur of this compound
may also be destroyed by torrefaction, without the trouble of a
previous solution and precipitation, and then also the Gold remains so
attenuated as to be miscible with liquors, and floats on them, or swims
in them, in such a manner that it may easily be swallowed with them in
drinking. From all this M. Stahl concludes there is great reason to
believe it was by means of the Liver of Sulphur that Moses divided, and
in a manner calcined, the golden calf, so that he could mingle it with
water, and make the Israelites drink it.
PROCESS IV.
_To separate Gold from all other metallic Substances by means of
Antimony._
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