The phlogistic theory alluded to above, which was so named by George Ernest Stahl in 1697 after Johann Joachim Beccher (1635–1682) had pointed out its principle in 1669, had for its most energetic defender the editor of the Journal de Physique, M. J. C. De La Méthérie, who is entered at A.D. 1785, and it was in order to offset the influence which this gave him that the antiphlogistians established the Annales de Chimie, so frequently mentioned in these pages.[52]
References.—George Adams’ “Lectures on Nat. and Exp. Philosophy,” London, 1799, Vol. I. pp. 575–587, wherein Lavoisier’s system is confuted by the German chemist Wieglib, whose views are endorsed by Mr. Green, while for Stahl and Beccher, refer to Sir H. Davy, “Bakerian Lectures,” London, 1840, p. 102, note, to “Biog. Gén.,” Vol. V. pp. 85–87; “Meyer’s Konvers. Lexikon,” Vol. II. p. 654, and to Thomson’s “Hist. of Roy. Soc.,” London, 1812, p. 467. See also J. M. G. Beseke, “Ueber elementärfeuer ...” Leipzig, 1786; G. A. Kohlreif, “Sollte die elektricität ...” Weimar, 1787; Lavoisier and Laplace, in the “Mém. de l’Acad. Roy. des Sciences” for 1781, p. 292; Lavoisier’s “Opuscules ...” 1774, and his “Rapport ... mag. animal.,” Paris, 1784; Dr. Thomas Thomson, “Hist. Roy. Soc.,” pp. 479–486; Herschel’s “Nat. Phil.,” concerning the third age of chemistry; Grégoire, “Dict. d’hist.,” etc., p. 1171; Miller’s “Hist. Phil. Illus.,” London, 1849, Vol. IV. pp. 332–333, notes. Chap. IV of the “History of Chemistry,” Ernst Van Meyer, tr. by George McGowan, London, 1898, entitled “History of the Period of the Phlogiston Theory from Boyle to Lavoisier,” will prove interesting. “La chimie constituée par Lavoisier,” Jacob Volhard, in “Le Moniteur Scientifique,” du Dr. Quesneville, Vol. XIV for 1872, pp. 50–71; “Nouveau Larousse,” Vol. V. p. 608; “La Révolution chimique,” M. Berthelot, Paris, 1890; “Essays in Historical Chemistry,” T. E. Thorpe, London, 1894, pp. 87, 110; “Journal des Savants” for Nov. 1859 and Feb. 1890; “Lives of Men of Letters and Science,” by Henry, Lord Brougham, Philadelphia, 1846, pp. 140–166.
A.D. 1781.—Achard (Franz Carl), able chemist and experimental philosopher, born in Prussia but of French extraction, communicates to the “Mém. de Berlin” a report of many very interesting experiments made by him, which are reviewed by Prince Dmitri Alexewitsch Fürst Gallitzin, in Vol. XXII of the Journal de Physique.
He had previously published essays upon the electricity of ice and the electricity developed on the surface of bodies, as well as upon terrestrial magnetism, the electrophorus, etc. He made many notable investigations to prove that fermentation is checked by electricity and that putrefaction is hastened both in electrified meats and in animals killed by the electric shock.
One of his experiments illustrating galvanic irritation so greatly interested Humboldt that the latter repeated it with different animals, not doubting but small birds might in many cases be brought back to life when they fall into a state somewhat resembling death. On one occasion, he took a linnet about to expire and, having established the necessary communication, perceived, the moment the contact took place, that the linnet opened its eyes, stood erect upon its feet and fluttered its wings; it breathed, he says, during six or eight minutes and then expired tranquilly.
It was a namesake of Achard who invented the electro-magnetic brake which will be found described and illustrated in articles from the London Engineer and Engineering, reproduced through the Scientific American Supplements, No. 111, p. 1760, and No. 312, p. 4974.
References.—Poggendorff, “Biog.-Lit. Hand. ...” Vol. I. p. 7; “Biographie Générale,” Vol. I. p. 176; “Cat. Roy. Soc. Sc. Papers,” Vol. I. p. 9; “Opus. Scelt.,” Vols. III. p. 313; V. p. 351; VI. p. 199; Reuss, Repertorium, Vol. IV. p. 351; Dr. G. Gregory, “Economy of Nature,” London, 1804, Vol. I. p. 317; Van Swinden, “Recueil ...” La Haye, 1784, Vol. I. p. 24; “Biographie Universelle,” Vol. I. p. 114; “Journal Lit. de Berlin,” for 1776; Cavallo, London, 1777, p. 403; “Mém. de Berlin” for 1776–1780, 1786, 1790–1791; Sturgeon, “Lectures,” London, 1842, p. 12; Geo. Adams, “Essay on Electricity,” etc., London, 1785, pp. 214–220, 277; “Gött. Mag.,” Vol. II. ii. 139; Rozier, VIII. p. 364; XV. p. 117; XIX. p. 417; XXII. p. 245; XXIII. p. 282; XXV. p. 429; XXVI. p. 378; Phil. Mag., Vol. III. p. 51.
A.D. 1781.—Kirwan (Richard), LL.D., F.R.S., an Irish chemical philosopher of great eminence, who became President of the Dublin Society and of the Royal Irish Academy, receives from the English Royal Society its gold Copley medal for the many valuable scientific papers communicated by him to the latter body. These papers embrace his “Thoughts on Magnetism,” wherein he treats at length of attraction, repulsion, polarity, etc., as shown in the review given at pp. 346–353 of the eighth volume of Sturgeon’s “Annals of Electricity,” etc.
It is said that Kirwan first suggested the notion of molecular magnets, but, according to Dr. J. G. M’Kendrick, it was not till a definite form was given thereto by Weber that it acquired any importance.
References.—Transactions Royal Irish Academy, Vol. VI; Ninth “Encycl. Britannica,” Vol. XV. p. 276; Phil. Mag., Vol. XXXIV. p. 247; Thomson, “Hist. of the Roy. Soc.,” p. 483; “Bibl. Britan.,” An. VII. vol. xii. p. 105.