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

This mid‑18th‑century paper presents a series of meticulously recorded experiments on magnesia alba, quicklime and several other alkaline substances. Delivered to an Edinburgh scientific society in 1755, the author treats each test with a quantitative eye, weighing reagents and noting the exact changes that occur. The work reads like a laboratory notebook, yet the clear explanations turn raw data into understandable conclusions about the chemistry of these common materials.

Listeners will follow the step‑by‑step preparation of the “mother of nitre,” the careful separation of magnesia from acidic compounds, and the early observations linking these substances to medicinal effects. The author also reflects on the practical limits of the purgative qualities of magnesia, offering a nuanced view that blends chemical insight with contemporary medical practice. For anyone interested in the foundations of modern chemistry or the history of scientific method, this reprint provides a rare glimpse into the experimental mindset that helped shape the discipline.