Natural History. Then the syllables are to be formed : – And this allegorical language
points out general properties to be determined by proper experiments. – And, as in society,
the genius and secret disposition of the mind and affections are rendered more conspicuous
in situations of difficulty and distress; so, in the same manner, the secrets of nature are more
unfolded by the molestations of art than when they are suffered to remain undisturbed. –
From hence Physics arise. Next, the sense and connexion is to be gathered from the words,
as to the proportion and various modifications : – Which constitutes Chemistry. [26]
After defining the science of chemistry, Bergman defined the concept of element, a topic which is discussed in detail in Chap. 22 of this book. Decomposition
of a substance to its chemical elements was called chemical analysis, and the
recombination of the elements was called chemical synthesis. To the best of my
knowledge, this division between analytic and synthetic chemistry was not widely
used by chemist at the time. Bergman wrote that one could only be sure of the
composition of a body when the analysis could be confirmed by synthesis. Scheele
always followed this rule in his published works. Bergman also stressed the
importance of the quantitative composition of bodies: “The nature of a body
depends not only on its elements, but also on their proportions and mode of
combination. Emery has the same constituents as topaz, but none the less, there is a
quite large difference in their properties” [27].
After discussing the elements, Bergman discussed the attractions between
bodies: “All bodies in nature attract each other” [27]. The attractions of heavenly
bodies follow only one simple law, while the attractions between small bodies were
more complex. Bergman’s theory of elective attractions is discussed in detail in
Chap. 20 of this book. Bergman concluded by saying that the knowledge of the
laws of attraction is in a way the key to the whole science of chemistry. Bergman
realised that knowledge of the forces that held particles together could explain all
chemical phenomena. This was true, but much more complicated than he could
possibly imagine. It is a great misfortune that Bergman never could experience the
rise of thermodynamics and quantum mechanics a century after his death.
Bergman then described the different branches of chemistry. He divided
chemistry in philosophical or physical chemistry (Chemia Philosophia or Chemia
Physica) and applied chemistry (Chemia applicata). Philosophical chemistry is
what we would call basic research, aiming at an understanding nature and its
elements from a chemical point of view. Alternatively, chemistry could be divided
into general chemistry (Chemia vulgaris) and higher chemistry (Chemia sublimior).
This division appears to be more arbitrary: the general chemistry searched for the
cruder elements of bodies, while the higher chemistry searched for the finer
elements.
As we use many chemical substances in our everyday life, it is easy to see the
benefits of chemical knowledge, Bergman wrote, and therefore applied chemistry
had to be discussed in some detail. For practical reasons, it had to be divided into
medical chemistry (Chemia medica), agricultural chemistry (Chemia oeconomica)
and technical Chemistry (Chemia technica).
11.2 Instructions to the Lectures on the Nature and Benefit of Chemistry
167
points out general properties to be determined by proper experiments. – And, as in society,
the genius and secret disposition of the mind and affections are rendered more conspicuous
in situations of difficulty and distress; so, in the same manner, the secrets of nature are more
unfolded by the molestations of art than when they are suffered to remain undisturbed. –
From hence Physics arise. Next, the sense and connexion is to be gathered from the words,
as to the proportion and various modifications : – Which constitutes Chemistry. [26]
After defining the science of chemistry, Bergman defined the concept of element, a topic which is discussed in detail in Chap. 22 of this book. Decomposition
of a substance to its chemical elements was called chemical analysis, and the
recombination of the elements was called chemical synthesis. To the best of my
knowledge, this division between analytic and synthetic chemistry was not widely
used by chemist at the time. Bergman wrote that one could only be sure of the
composition of a body when the analysis could be confirmed by synthesis. Scheele
always followed this rule in his published works. Bergman also stressed the
importance of the quantitative composition of bodies: “The nature of a body
depends not only on its elements, but also on their proportions and mode of
combination. Emery has the same constituents as topaz, but none the less, there is a
quite large difference in their properties” [27].
After discussing the elements, Bergman discussed the attractions between
bodies: “All bodies in nature attract each other” [27]. The attractions of heavenly
bodies follow only one simple law, while the attractions between small bodies were
more complex. Bergman’s theory of elective attractions is discussed in detail in
Chap. 20 of this book. Bergman concluded by saying that the knowledge of the
laws of attraction is in a way the key to the whole science of chemistry. Bergman
realised that knowledge of the forces that held particles together could explain all
chemical phenomena. This was true, but much more complicated than he could
possibly imagine. It is a great misfortune that Bergman never could experience the
rise of thermodynamics and quantum mechanics a century after his death.
Bergman then described the different branches of chemistry. He divided
chemistry in philosophical or physical chemistry (Chemia Philosophia or Chemia
Physica) and applied chemistry (Chemia applicata). Philosophical chemistry is
what we would call basic research, aiming at an understanding nature and its
elements from a chemical point of view. Alternatively, chemistry could be divided
into general chemistry (Chemia vulgaris) and higher chemistry (Chemia sublimior).
This division appears to be more arbitrary: the general chemistry searched for the
cruder elements of bodies, while the higher chemistry searched for the finer
elements.
As we use many chemical substances in our everyday life, it is easy to see the
benefits of chemical knowledge, Bergman wrote, and therefore applied chemistry
had to be discussed in some detail. For practical reasons, it had to be divided into
medical chemistry (Chemia medica), agricultural chemistry (Chemia oeconomica)
and technical Chemistry (Chemia technica).
11.2 Instructions to the Lectures on the Nature and Benefit of Chemistry
167