Note 196 — PHARMACOLOGIA. ON THE OPERATIONS OF MEDICINAL BODIES, AND ON THE CLASSIFICATIONS FOUNDED ON THEM. (continued 2)

Whence is derived the large quantity of Phosphoric acid which is daily evacuated from the system?—The researches of modern chemistry have furnished a very satisfactory solution of this problem, by demonstrating its presence in those animal and vegetable substances which are used by us as food. Mr. Barry, in prosecuting his interesting and important experiments on the preparation of Pharmaceutical Extracts in vacuo, discovered the curious fact, that Phosphoric acid is to be found in all the extracts in a soluble state; and on extending the investigation, says he, it was ascertained that this acid, besides that portion of it which exists as phosphate of lime, is contained in a vast variety of vegetables, and more especially in those which are cultivated. Medico-Chirug. Trans. Vol. 10, p. 240.