"Black... is best remembered by chemists for his work on magnesia alba which he presented for the doctor's degree in 1754. In this investigation he took up the study of what we now call as a new substance which he desired to characterize, and he proceeded to try some experiments upon it from which he was able to draw important conclusions. ...[W]e may sum up Black's results in a series of propositions: I. Magnesia alba when strongly heated loses about half its weight and yields a new substance magnesia usta () II. With vitriolic acid magnesia alba yields epsom salt () with effervescence. III. Magnesia usta when similarly treated yields epsom salt without effervescence. IV. In a solution of epsom salt, mild alkali () precipitates magnesia alba and the solution on evaporation yields vitriolated tartar (). V. Mild alkali effervesces with acids while caustic does not. VI. Mild alkali is made caustic by addition of magnesia usta."
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Experiments upon Magnesia Alba, Quick-Lime, and other Alcaline Substances
Experiments upon Magnesia Alba, Quick-Lime, and other Alcaline Substances by Joseph Black was first published in 1755. Black's Paper was read in June 1755, and was first published in "Essays and Observations, Physical and Literary. Read before a Society in Edinburgh, and Published by them," Volume II., Edinburgh, 1756; pp. 157-225. It was subsequently reprinted several times during the life of the author, not only in later editions of these Essays, but also in a separate form.
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