Sulphrous Acid Gas.—It is said that sulphurous acid gas has been condensed into a fluid by Monge and Clouet, but I have not been able to find the description of their process. It is referred to by Thomson, in his 'System,' first edition, ii. 24, and in subsequent editions; by Henry, in his 'Elements, i. 341; by Accum, in his 'Chemistry,' i. 319; by Aikin, 'Chemical Dictionary,' ii. 391; by Nicholson, 'Chemical Dictionary, article Gas (sulphurous acid); and by Murray, in his 'System,' ii. 405. All these authors mention the simultaneous application of cold and pressure, but Thomson alone refers to any authority, and that is Fourcroy, ii. 74.
It is curious that Fourcroy does not, however, mention condensation as one of the means employed by Monge and Clouet, but merely says the gas is capable of liquefaction at 28° of cold. "This latter property," he adds, "discovered by citizens Monge and Clouet, and by which it is distinguished from all the other gases, appears to be owing to the water which it holds in solution, and to which it adheres so strongly as to prevent an accurate estimate of the proportions of its radical and acidifying principles."
Notwithstanding Fourcroy's objection, there can be but little reason to doubt that Monge and Clouet did actually condense the gas, for I have since found that from the small elastic force of its vapour at common temperatures (being equal to that of about two atmospheres only [1]), a comparatively moderate diminution of temperature is sufficient to retain it fluid at common pressure, or a moderate additional pressure to retain it so at common temperature; so that whether these philosophers applied cold only, as Fourcroy mentions, or cold and pressure, as stated by the other chemists, they would succeed in obtaining it in the liquid form.
Chlorine.—M. de Morveau, whilst engaged on the application of the means best adapted to destroy putrid effluvia and contagious miasmata, was led to the introduction of chlorine as the one most excellent for this purpose; and he proposed the use of phials, containing the requisite materials, as sources of the substance. One described in his 'Traité des Moyens de désinfecter l'air' (1801), was of the capacity of two cubical inches nearly; about 62 grains of black oxide of manganese in
- ↑ Philosphical Transactions, 1823, p. 191—or page 90.
