and from new attractions combining
with each other into new substances, according to affinity, under
changes induced in their nature conducive to this end, which not being
exactly known, cannot at present be fully defined. In every brewing, or
preparation of saccharine fluid for fermentation, the following
phenomena occur: first, _heat_ is either disengaged or fixed: secondly,
an _elastic fluid_ is either formed or absorbed in a nascent state:
these two indisputable facts form the uniform and invariable phenomena
of fermentation, and may be admitted as an established _axiom_, that
the proportions, extrication, and action of heat, with the fermentation
and fixation of elastic fluids, during the process, are the foundation
of the vinous products of the fermenting fluid. In conformity to so
rational a theory, I have for many years regulated my practice, the
result of which is the object of these papers. These, therefore, are
the three great objects which should engage our attention; not only
in fermentation, but in every similar process in chemistry, and are
the fundamental principles of our doctrine. FERMENTATION being not
only a decomposition of the fermentable matter, but of the water of
the fluid also; and the fixed air formed during the process being
composed of the hydrogen and oxygen of the fermentable matter, and
the water of the fluid also, there is a perpetual decomposition and
recomposition of that water, which gives fluidity to the whole mass,
taking place during the continuance of the process, part of the
hydrogen and oxygen of which escapes under the form of fixed air, for
want of a proper substance being presented of affinity enough to
absorb and combine with it into wine, beer, or spirit, or some other
necessary assistance in heat, light, motion, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon,
&c. or an intermedium to facilitate the formation of wine, beer, or
spirit, in preference to fixed air. Fixed air, or carbonic acid gas,
consists of about twenty-five parts of oxygen, and nine of carbon,
devested of the mucilage and yest that rises with it. It should be
recollected, that the decomposition of pyrites, the formation of
nitre, respiration, fermentation, &c. are low degrees of combustion,
and though it is the property of combustion to form fixed and
phlogisticated airs, both the modes of doing it, and the quantity of
the products, depend on the manner of oxygenating them in the changes
brought about by the different modes of c