British Eighteenth-Century Chemical Terms

Absorbent Earth: Chalk, marble, and clays. No specific formulas. Generally carbonates, silicates, and sulfates.
Acesunt: Any substance which is slightly acid, or turning sour.
Acetated Earths, Metals, Etc.: Acetates (C₂H₃O₂¯).
Acetous Acid: Impure acetic acid from vinegar.
Acetum: Referring to vinegar, or to a compound made from vinegar, as in "acetum radicatum."
Acid Air (Priestley): Hydrogen chloride (HCl).
Acid From Ants: Formic acid (HCOOH).
Acid, Nitri Phlogistic: See Nitrous Air.
Acid of Amber: Succine acid (C₄H₆O₄).
Acid of Apples: Malic acid (C₄H₆O₅).
Acid of Arsenic: Arsenic acid (H₃AsO₄).
Acid of Barberry: Malic acid.
Acid of Benzoin: Benzoic acid (C₆H₅COOH).
Acid of Borax: Boric acid (H₃BO₃).
Acid of Burning Sulphur: Sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃).
Acid of Four Spar: Hydrofluoric acid (mixed usually with silicon fluoride) (HF; SiF₄).
Acid of Lemons: Citric acid (C₆H₈O₇).
Acid of Milk: Lactic acid (C₃H₆O₃).
Acid of Milk-Sugar: Mucic acid (COOH(CHOH)₄COOH).
Acid of Molybdaena: Molybdic acid (H₂MoO₄).
Acid of Nitre: Nitric acid (HNO₃).
Acid of Phosphorus: Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄).
Acid of Salt: Hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Acid of Sea-Salt: Hydrochloric acid, alone, or in a compound (i.e., the Cl¯ radical).
Acid of Sorrel: Oxalic acid (COOH COOH).
Acid of Sugar: Oxalic acid (COOH COOH).
Acid of Tamarinds: Tartaric acid (C₄H₆O₆).
Acid of Tartar: Tartaric acid.
Acid of Urine: Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄)
Acid of Vinegar: Acetic acid (CH₃COOH).
Acid of Vitriol: Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄)
Acidium Aereum: Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Acidium Mephiticum: Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Acidium Pingue: J.F. Meyer's hypothesized "fatty acid."
Acidium Sacchari: Oxalic acid (COOH COOH).
Acid Vitriolated Tartar: Potassium hydrogen sulphate (KHSO₄).
Adopters: Small, circular vessels with a necked opening and a spout opposite. Ther were connected between the distilling head and the receiver.
Aduration: A union or combination into one.
Aerated Alkali: Any alkali carbonate (e.g., K₂CO₃).
"Aerated" Compounds (Bergman): Carbonates (CO₃²¯).
Aerated Lime: Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
Aerated Water: Water containing dissolved carbon dioxide.
Aer Hepaticus: Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S).
Aerial Acid: Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Aerugo (Aeruca) (Rust of Copper): See Verdigris.
Aer Urinosum: Ammonia (NH₃).
Aethiops Mercuriales: See Athiops Mineralis.
Aethiops Mineralis (Aethiops Mercuriales): Black mercuric sulphide (H₂S).
Air: Generally, any substance in gaseous state.
Air (Priestley): A gaseous substance which could not be liquified by cold.
Air, Dephlogisticated: Oxygen (O₂).
Air, Fixed: Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Air, Hepatic: Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S).
Air, Inflammable: Hydrogen (H₂).
Air, Marine Acid: Hydrogen chloride (HCl).
Air, Mephitic: Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Air, Phlogisticated: Nitrogen (N₂).
Air, Vital: Oxygen (O₂).
Air of Flour Spar: Hydrofluoric acid gas (usually with silicon fluoride) (HF).
Air of Vitriol: Sulphur dioxide (SO₂).
Alaunerde: Alumina (Al₂O₃).
Alcohol: Usually spirit of wine (CH₃CH₂OH) (sometimes any very fine powder).
Alembic: A type of distillation apparatus.
Alexipharmic: A remedy or preservative against poison.
Alicant Kelp: Crude sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃).
Alk. Min. Vitriol: Sodium sulphate (Na₂SO₄).
Alkahest: Originally, the universal solvent (alchmeical term)
Alkahest Glauber: See Fixed vegetable alkali (K₂CO₃)
Alkahest of Reapour: See fixed vegetable alkali (K₂CO₃)
Alkahest of Van Helmot (Glauber's Alkahest): concentrated potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃)
Alkalescent: Any substance which is slightly alkaline or turning alkaline
Alkali, Caustic: Hydroxides (OH¯)
Alkali, Common mineral: Sodium Carbonate (Na₂CO₃ ^. 10H₂O)
Alkali, Concrete Volatile: Ammonium carbonate (NH4)₂CO₃)
Alkali, Fossil: Sodium Carbonate (Na₂CO₃)
Alkali, Marine: Sodium Carbonate (Na₂CO₃)
Alkali, Mild: Carbonates (CO₃²¯)
Alkali, Vegetable, Fixed: Potassium Carbonate (K₂CO₃)
Alkali, Vegetable, Mild: Potassium Carbonate (K₂CO₃)
Alkali, Volatile: Ammonia (NH₃)
Alkali of Soda: Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃)
Alkali of Tartar: Potassium Carbonate (K₂CO₃)
Alkali of Wine Lees: Potassium cArbonate (K₂CO₃)
Alkali Veg. Saltium: Potassium chloride (KCl)
Alkali Veg. Vitriolat: Potassium sulphate (K₂SO₄)
Alkaline Air (Priestly): Ammonia gas (NH₃)
Alkalized Nitre: See fixed nitre
Allay: Alloy
Allonge: See Adopters
Alterant: Anything which alters of changes the state of another
Aludels: A unit of a mutiple-head, earthenware distilling apparatus. Usually used for sublimations.
Alum: Mixed double salts of aluminum sulphate with potassium sodium or ammonium sulfate. (Potassium salt, when pure, was most commonly called "Alum."). (Al₂(SO₄)₃ ^. K₂SO₄ ^. 24H₂O); (Al₂(SO₄)₃ ^. (NH₄)₂SO₄ ^. 24H₂O); (Al₂(SO₄)₃ ^. Na₂SO4 ^. 24H₂O).
Alumen: Aluminum sulphate (Al₂(SO₄)₃.
Alumen Ustum (Burnt Alum): alum dehydrated by heating
Amalgam: Any mercury alloy
Ammoniacal Nitre: Ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃)
Ammonium Fixatum (Fixed Ammoniac): The residue on heating sal ammoniac with lime, i. e., calcium chloride (CuCl₂)
Ammonium Nitrosum: Ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃)
Animal Alkali: Ammonium carbonate [(NH₄)₂CO₃]
Anodyne: A medicine or drug which alleviates pain.
Antichlor: Hydrated sodium thiosulfate (Na₂S₂O₃)
Antimonial Caustic: Antimony trichloride (SbCl₃)
Antimonium Diaphoreticum: Misture of antimony oxide and potassium antimoniate (Sb₂O₃; KSbO₃)
Antimony: Antimony sulfide (Sb₂S₃) (pre-eighteenth century). Pure antimony was called "regulus of antimony."
Antizeumic: Opposed to fermentation
Aqua Fortis: Concentrated nitric acid (HNO₃)
Aqua Phaganeda or Phagadenica: A mixture of corrosive sublimate and limewater
Aqua Regia: Misture of HCl and HNO₃. Various proportions were used, depending on the material to be dissolved. Commonly, more nitric acid than hydrochloric was employed.
Aqua Secunda: Dilute nitric acid , often used for cleaning metals and minerals.
Ardent Spirit: Ethyl alcohol obtained after repeated distillations (CH₃CH₂OH)
Argillaceous Earth: Clay
Aromatic Oil: Any "oil" with a sweet or exotic odor. Often an essential oil.
Arsenic: Arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃)
Arsenical Sal Ammoniac: Ammonium arsenate (NH₄)HAsO₄.
Ash, Black: Impure sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃).
Ash, Pearl: See Pearl Ash
Ash, Pot: See potash
Ashes of Tin: Stannic oxide (SnO₂)
Assay: A quantitative determination of the metal in an ore or alloy
Atramentum: Ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄)
Attrition: The action of rubbing one body against another; mutual friction.
Auripigmentum: Arsenic trisulfide (As₂S₃)
Aurum Fulminans: An explosive gold compound prepared from gold dissoled in "Aqua Regia" and a solution of ammonium carbonate. The exact formula is still in doubt.
Avolation: Evaporation,escape, act of "flying away."
Azote: nitrogen (N₂)
Azure: A blue pigment from cobalt
Azurite: Basic copper (cubric) carbonate (2CuCO₃ ^. Cu(OH)₂

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Baking Soda: Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)
Balloons: Vessels used to receive condensation products in distillation.
Balneum Mariae: The water bath used for heating more delicate materials such as animal and vegetable mater.
Balsam: Light oily aromatic extracts from trees which cure into resins.
Barilla: Impure soda extracted from soap-wort (impure Na₂CO₃)
Barite, Baryte(s): Barium sulfate (BaSO₄)
Baryta: Barium oxide (BaO)
Basis or Base: Any substance "A" which (1) is dissolved by substance "B"; (2) receives "B" and "fixes" it; (3) forms a compound of "B."
Bath Metal: A 4:1 alloy of copper and zinc, respectively.
Bay Salt: Sodium chloride (NaCl).
Beak: A tube, usually tapered, attached to a vessel to allow the exit of its contents.
Berlin Blue: Ferric ferrocyanide (Fe₄[Fe(CN)₆]₃.
Berlin Green: Ferric ferricyanide (Fe[Fe(CN)₆].
Berthollet's Salt: Potassium chlorate (KClO₃).
Bezoardicum Minerale: See Bezoar Mineral.
Bezoar Mineral: Antimonic acid (H₃SbO₄).
Bismuth Corne: Bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl).
Bitter Cathartic Salt: Magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄).
Bitter Earth: Magnesium oxide or carbonate (MgO; MgCO₃).
Bittern: Liquor remaining after salt-boiling; a solution containing magnesium salts.
Bitter Salt: Magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄ ^. 7H₂O).
Bitter Spar: "Dolomite" -Calcium and magnesium carbonate (CaCO₃ ^. MgCO₃).
Bitumens: An amorphous grouping of resinous and petroleum products: crude oil, amber, asphaltum, coal.
Black Ash: Impure sodium carbonate (impure Na₂CO₃)
Black Copper: Copper sulfide (CuS).
Black Flux: A mixed product from the deflagration of charcoal, metal filings, nitre, and excess tartar.
Black Jack: See Blend.
Black Lead: Natural graphite of the sort used in pencils.
Black Wad: Manganese dioxide.
Blend: A mineral which looks very much like galena (PbS) and thus sometimes called "false galena." Now known as sphalerite. Primarily zinc sulfide (ZnS).
Blind Head: The top portion of a distilling apparatus which is not equipped with a beak or spout.
BLUE VITRIOL: Copper sulfate (CuSO₄)
BOLE (OR BOLAR EARTH): Clays which adhere to the tongue when applied dry and which are colored yellow and red by a ferruginous (iron oxide) earth.
BORAX: Sodium tetraborate (Na₂B₄0₇ * 10H₂O).
BRASS: An alloy of copper and zinc.
BRAUSTEIN: Manganese dioxide (MnO₂).
BRIMSTONE: Sulphur (S).
BRONZE: An alloy of copper and tin.
BUDDLING DISH: A flat pan or vat used in washing ores.
BURNING SPIRIT OF SATURN: Impure acetone (CH₃COCH₃).
BURNT ALUM: Exsiccated alum (AIK (SO₄)₂. Product of heating potassium alum.
BURNT LIME: See Quicklime.
BUTTER OF ANTIMONY: Deliquescent antimony trichloride (SbCl₃)
BUTTER OF ARSENIC: Arsenic trichloride (AsCl₃)
BUTTER OF TIN: Stannic chloride (SnCl₄)
BUTTER OF ZINC: Zinc chloride (ZnCl₂).
BUTYRUM ANTIMONII: See Butter of Antimony.

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CADMIA: A term used for various forms of several substances, including cobalt. Minerals containing carbonates of zinc and various compounds of iron, among other things, were often called cadmia or "calamine."
CALAMINE: In its purest form, zinc carbonate (ZnCO₃)'
CALAMY (CALAMINE): Zinc carbonate (ZnCO₃), sometimes (Zn₂SiO₄ * H₂O).
CALCAREOUS EARTH: Usually chalk (CaCO₃). Also possible magnesia and/or alumina and/or barytes. Also lime.
CALCARIUM POTENTIALE: Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
CALCIC LIVER OF SULFUR: Calcium sulfide (CaS).
CALCINATION: The action of fire on mineral substances in which the reactants (a) often lose a noticeable amount of weight, (b) acquire a white color, (c) become friable (easily crumbled or pulverized). Almost always, a very high heat is employed.
CALCINED METALS: Oxides.
CALCITE: Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)
CALLUS: Any hard formation on the surface of a liquid or another solid.
CALOMEL: Mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂)
CALX: Any powder obtained by strongly heating a substance in air. Almost always an oxide.
CALX ACETOSELL: Calcium oxalate (CaC₂O₄)
CALX AERATA: Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)
CALX CITRATA: Calcium citrate (Ca₃(C₆H₅C₇)₂ 4 H₂O).
CALX MOLYBDAENATA: Calcium molybdate (CaMoO₄)
CALX OF ANTIMONY: Antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃)
CALX OF GOLD: Not a true compound, but small discolored pieces of gold formed after exposure to relatively high heat.
CALX OF STONE: Calcium oxide (CaO).
CALX PLUMBI AERATA: See White Lead.
CALX SACCHARATA: Calcium oxalate (CaC₂O₄).
CALX. TARTARISATA: Calcium tartrate (CaC₄H₄O₆ 4H₂O).
CALX VIVA: Quicklime (CaO).
CAMPHIRE (CAMPHORA, CANFORA, ETC.): See Camphor.
CAMPHOR: An aromatic extract from the sap of certain trees found in Brazil and the Far East.
CAPUT MORTUM: Most commonly signifies any solid residue remaining after dry distillation. Sometimes used for ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃)
CARBONATE OF LIME: Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
CARBONIC ACID: Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
CARBONIC OXIDE: Carbon monoxide (CO).
CARBURETTED HYDROGEN GAS: Methane (CH₄)
CATHARTIC SALT OF GLAUBER: Sodium sulphate (Na₂SO₄).
CAUSTIC ALKALIS: Hydroxides (-OH¯).
CAUSTIC BARYTA: Barium hydroxide (Ba (OH)₂ 8H₂O).
CAUSTIC CALCAREOUS EARTH: Calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH)₂).
CAUSTIC LEY (CAUSTIC LEES, ETC.): See Caustic Lye.
CAUSTIC LYE:: Since "lye" had several meanings, this phrase was often used to refer specifically to the three strong mineral (NaOH, KOH, and NH₄OH) bases and usually meant potassium hydroxide (KOH).
CAUSTIC PONDEROUS EARTH: Hydrated barium hydroxide (Ba (OH)₂ ^. 8H₂O).
CAUSTICUNi ANTIMONIALE: Probably antimony trichloride (SbCl₃)
CAWK: Barium sulphate (BaSO₄)
CEMENTATION: Any process by which a solid is caused to penetrate and combine with another substance.
Cendres Gravellees: Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₂).
Ceruse (Cerussa) (Cerusse): See White Lead.
Cerusse Antimony: White antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃).
Chalk: Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
Chalybeate (Water): Any water which is impregnated or flavored with iron.
Chalybs cum Sulphure Preparatus: Ferrous sulfide (FeS).
Chalybs Tartar (Tartarified Iron): A substance produced by the action of cream of tartar on iron filling. Probably (FeC₄H₄O₆).
Chymists Spirit: Any solution of ammonia (NH₄OH).
Cineres Clavellati: Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Cinnabar: Mercuric sulfide (HgS).
Cinnabar of Antimony: Mercuric sulphide (HgS), when produced by heating together mercuric chloride and crude antimony (antimony trisulfide).
Circulation: Cyclic distillation or refluxing.
Citrated Alkalies: Citrates.
Clays: Any stiff but malleable and sticky mineral solid.
Clyssus: Any vapors from the detonation of nitre with other substances which have been condensed and collected, as in clyssus of sulphur.
Coagulation: Reducing fluids to solid form.
Coagulum: A precipitate.
Cobalt: Cobalt ore. Pure cobalt was regulus of cobalt (CoAsS).
Cochineal: A scarlet dye made from the insect Coccus cacti, native to Mexico and Central America.
Coction: Any process in which heat was applied over a long period. This term usually implied less strenuous applications of heat than calcination, but it was used more broadly than decoction.
Cohobation: Repeated distillations, or any cyclic process in which a liquid is vaporized and condensed as, for example, in refluxing.
Colcothars: Any colorless sulfates (vitriols) in which the water of hydration was removed (-SO₄).
Colcothar: Ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃).
Colcothar Vitrioli: Red oxide of iron (Fe₂O₃ ^. FeO) produced by heating green vitriol.
Collature: Filtration through a relatively coarse filter, e.g., a hair sieve, woolen cloth, etc.
Colophony: A resinous substance from distillation of light oil from turpentine.
Common Ammoniac: Ammonium Chloride (NH₄Cl).
Common Caustic: Potassium hydroxide or, less often, sodium hydroxide.
Common Magnesia: Magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃).
Common Mineral Alkali: Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃).
Common Nitre (Saltpeter): Potassium nitrate (KNO₃).
Common Salt: Sodium chloride (NaCl).
Concentration: Any process in which the solute/solvent ratio is increased. Less often, this term was used to describe the separation of a substance A from a substance B joining it to a third substance, C.
Concreted: Solidified, congealed, coagulated, or (as verb) to unite, combine physically, as in solidity. Very rarely used for chemical combinations.
Concrete Volatile Alkali: Ammonium carbonate ((NH₄)₂CO₃).
Copperas: Originally blue vitriol. Later sometimes used for the entire class of vitriols (sulfates). Also sometimes ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄ ^. 7H₂O).
Corneous (Horn) Lead: Lead chloride (PbCl₂).
Corning: Any process in which a whole or coarsely ground substance is granulated.
Cornu Cervi: Impure ammonium carbonate ((NH₄)₂CO₃).
Corrosive Sublimate: Mercuric chloride (HgCl₂).
Coruscate: To give off intermittent flashes of light, to sparkle.
Cream of Lime: Fine precipitate of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) from water.
Cream of Tartar (Tartar): Potassium hydrogen tartrate (KHC₄H₄O).
Creech: Calcium sulfate (CaSO₄).
Cremor: Any scum gathering at or near top of a liquid. Also, a thickening or change in color or consistency on top or within a liquid.
Creta Alba: Gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate) (CaSO₄ ^. 2H₂O).
Crocus: Any solid of a saffron or reddish color, as in Crocus of Mars.
Crocus Martis: Ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃).
Crocus of Iron: Ferric oxide.
Crocus of Mars: Ferric oxide.
Crocus Saturni: Red lead (minium) (Pb₃O₄).
Crude Antimony: Natural antimony sulfide (Sb₂S₃).
Crude Flux: Nitre and tartar mixed in any proportion without detonation.
Crystalline Earths: Any solid which is (1) not attached in acids, (2) friable, (3) hard enough to strike fire with steel.
Crystallised Alkali: Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃).
Crystallised Verdigris: Cupric acetate (Cu(C₂H₃O₂)₂ ^. H₂O).
Crystallised Volatile Alkali: Ammonium carbonate (NH₄)₂CO₃.
Crystallization: Any process in which crystals are formed from a liquid. Usually accomplished through concentrating and/or cooling a solution.
Crystals of Copper: Mostly copper acetate (Cu(C₂H₃O₂)₂).
Crystals of Silver (Lunar Crystals): Silver nitrate, usually as a powder (AgNO₃).
Crystals of Venus: Copper acetate (Cu(C₂H₃O₂)₂).
Cubic Nitre: Crystallized sodium nitrate (NaNO₃).
Cucurbit: The lower part of an alembic. Shorter, more squat and ovoid than a matrass.
Cyprian Vitriol: Copper sulfate (CuSO₄).

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Damps: Any dangerous vapors in caves, mines etc.
Decantation: To a separate the supernatant liquid from a solid precipitate by pouring the liquid off, being careful that all of the solid remains in the vessel.
Decoction: Continuous application of boiling heat to a reaction mixture.
Decompounded: Doubly compounded, or composed of three or more substances.
Decrepitation: Rapid physical decomposition of some crystals when heated. Characterized by a crackling noise.
Deflagration: To cause a substance to burn rapidly, with flame.
Deliquescence: The property some crystalline substances have of dissolving spontaneously in liquid absorbed from the air.
Deliquium: Change of salt from a solid to a fluid state by contact with air only.
Demi-Metal: See Semi-Metals
Dephlegmation: To remove water from a solution, usually one of an acid or alcohol. There is a sense of purifying about the term, as opposed to simple concentration.
Dephlogisticated Acid of Salt: Chlorine (Cl₂).
Dephlogisticated Air: Oxygen (O₂).
Dephlogisticated Calx of Iron: Ferrous oxide (Hydroxide) (FeO or Fe(OH)₂).
Dephlogisticated Marine Acid: Chlorine (Cl₂).
Depuration: To free from impurities, purify.
Desquamation: The process of removing scaly crusts which form on a surface.
Detonation: Any rapid chemical reaction accompanied by noise and often heat and light, e.g., explosions.
Diaphoretic: Any substance which induces perspiration when administered to a patient.
Diaphoretic Antimony: Mixture of a antimony oxide and potassium antimonate (Sb₂O₃; KSbO₃).
Digestion: The process in which heat is continuously applied to a substance without boiling it (usually in open vessels).
Digestive Salt: Potassium chloride (KCl).
Digestive Salt of Sylvius: Potassium chloride (KCl).
Diminished Nitrous Air (Priestly): Nitrous oxide (N₂O).
Distillation: A process in which all or some portion of a substance is vaporized and then condensed and collected.
Distillation Per Ascensum: Distillation with the collecting vessel above the heated vessel.
Distillation Per Decensum: Any distillation where the collecting vessel is below the heated vessel.
Distillation Per Obliquium: Distillation in a retort used for substances of (a)relatively low vapor pressure and (b)other properties that make distillation difficult, e.g., honey.
Distillation with Addition: Adding some substance prior to distillation that will aid the process by (1) loosening the desired volatile product chemically from its compound; (2) fixing the product not desired, thus retaining it in the vessel; (3) by adding a volatile substance desired, thus making the fixed substance volatile (addition of properties).
Diuretic Salt: Potassium acetate (KC₂H₃O₂).
Division: Any process in which mixtures are separated into their homogeneous components by mechanical means.
Docimacy: Assaying
Dry Way: Term used for all operations that are conducted without adding a liquid medium. Reactions done through fusion, however, are still regarded in the dry way.
Dulcification: Any process in which a caustic substance is rendered less corrosive.

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Earth: Usually a carbonate, oxide or hydroxide. Earths were originally classified by physical properties as absorbent, crystalline, and dry, insipid, not inflammable, fusible solids which often recovered their original texture after fusion.
Earth, Calcareous, Caustic: Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂)
Earth, Calcareous, Mild: Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)
Earth, Magnesian, Mild: Magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃)
Earth, Silicous: Silica (SiO₂)
Earth Rhubarb: Calcium oxalate (CaC₂O₄)
Earthy Salts: Compound of acids and earths.
Eau Forte: (Strong Water) Usually concentrated nitric acid (HNO₃), sometimes (1) spirit of wine (ethanol), (2) caustic soda solution.
Ebullition: The agitating, bubbling action of a liquid that is undergoing rapid, active boiling.
Edulcorated Quicksilver: Mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂)
Edulcoration: The washing of a solid (often a precipitate) with water to free it from soluble impurities such as salts and acids. Because of the latter, there are overtones of sweetening, purification, and softening with this term.
Elaeosaccharum: A mixture of an oil and sugar. Used to make oils soluble in water, wines, spirits, etc.
Electuaries: Medicinals in the form of a paste or conserve.
Elixation: The action of boiling or stewing.
Elutriation
Separation and purification of a mixture of granular solids with water by (a) decanting, (b) straining, or (c) washing.
Emetic: Any substance that induces vomiting.
Emetic Powder: Potassium antimonyl tartrate (KSbC₄H₄O₇ ^. (1/2) H₂O)
Emplastrum Simplex: Impure lead oleate (Pb(C₁₈H₃₃O₂)₂)
Empyreumatic: Tasting or smelling or burnt organic matter.
Empyreumatic Oils: Liquid oils that (a) are acid, (b) are soluble, (c) do not retain the taste and odor of the substance from which they are obtained, (d) have a taste and/or odor of burnt organic matter.
Enfiladid Ballon: A spherical vessel with opposed, necked openings.
English Laxative Salt: Magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄)
English Salt: See Bitter Salt
Ens Martis: A mixture probably consisting of iron chlorides and ammonium chloride. Used as a medicine.
Ens Veneris: A mixture probably consisting of copper chlorides and ammonium chloride. Used as a medicine.
Epsom Salts: Magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄)
Essay: See Assay
Essence: Any essential oil.
Essential Oil: Any oil that smells the same as the vegetable from which it was obtained and has a low boiling point (below that of water)
Essential Oil of Turpentine: The most volatile portion of turpentine.
Etain de Glace: Bismuth (Bi)
Ether: In the 18th century, alykyl chlorides and nitrates often were confused with true ethers, such as ethyl ether (CH₃CH₂-O-CH₂CH₃).
Ether of Benzoin: Ehtyl benzoate (C₉H₁₀O₂)
Ether of Nitre: Mainly ethyl nitrite (C₂H₅NO₂)
Ether of Vinegar: Ethyl acetate (C₄H₁₀O₂)
Ether of Vitriol: Ethyl ether (C₄H₁₀O)
Ethiops Mineral: Mostly black mercury sulfide (Hg₂S)
Evaporation: Any process in which the liquid portion of a solution or mixture is vaporized, often with the help of heat.
Exalt: To make more spiritous, volatile, or generally more active; activate.
Exsiccate: To dry; remove moisture.
Exhalation: When parts of substances are separated by heat from the solid and fly off into the air. Used as a tool to obtain fixed parts as well as volatile parts. This includes calcination, distillation, etc.
Expression: To separate a component from organic matter or any other solids or semisolids by squeezing the material in a press. A mechanical rather than chemical means of separation.
Extemporaneous Alkali:: See white flux.
Extraction:: To separate one substance from others by using solvents.
Extract of Lead:: Impure lead acetate (Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂).
Extract of Mars:: Solid ferrous tartrate (FeC₄H₄O₆).
Extravasation:: The escape of an organic fluid (e.g., blood, sap) from its proper vessels into surrounding tissues.

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Faints:: The second identifiable, thin, and light liquid fraction from distillation.
Fearce:: To pulverize or mascerate.
Febrifugal Salt:: Potassium sulphate (K₂SO₄).
Febrifugal Salt of Sylvius:: Potassium chloride (KCl).
[A] Ferment:: A substance actually fermenting, inclined to ferment, or used to cause fermentation, e.g., yeast.
Fetid Oil:: Any oil substance that was empyreumatic, i.e., had the odor of burned animal matter.
Filtration:: To separate a liquid from a particulate solid by passing the liquid through a porous material, e.g., cloth or paper.
Finery Cinder:: Iron oxide (Fe₃O₄).
Fire Air (Scheele): Oxygen (O₂).
Fixed Air:: Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Fixed Alkali (Soda):: Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃).
Fixed Alkali Salt:: Solid potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Fixed Ammoniac (Fixed Sal Ammoniac):: Calcium chloride (CaCl₂).
Fixed Nitrate:: Usually potassium carbonate; sometime potassium sulfate (K₂CO₃; K₂SO₄).
Fixed Sulphur of Antimony:: Oxides of antimony, probably primarily the trioxide (Sb₂O₃) which forms when antimony ore (Sb₂S₃) is heated in air. Antimony calx.
Fixed Vegetable Alkali:: Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
Fixity:: The degree of solidity of a substance as measured by the ability of that substance to resist the action of fire. The opposite of volatility.
Flores:: See Flowers.
Flores ac Vitrum Antimony:: Probably antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃) with small amounts of antimony trisulfide (Sb₂S₃).
Flores Antim:: See Flowers of Antimony.
Flores Benzoini:: Benzoic acid (C₆H₅COOH).
Flores Martiales (Ens Veneris):: Impure ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl). Also includes iron filing used in the reaction, with possibly some chlorides of iron.
Flores Sulfurous:: See Flowers of Sulfur.
Flores Viridis Aeris:: Crystallized cupric acetate (Cu(C₂H₃O₂)₂).
Flores Zinc:: See Flowers of Zinc.
Flowers (Flores): Any solid product of sublimation. Usually a powder.
Flowers of Antimony:: Antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃).
Flowers of Arsenic (White Arsenic):: Arsenious oxide (As₂O₃).
Flowers of Benjamin:: See Flowers of Benzoin.
Flowers of Benzoin:: Benzoic acid (C₆H₅COOH).
Flowers of Phosphorus:: Volatile oxides of phosphorous (P₂O₃; P₂O₅).
Flowers of Sulfur:: Sublimed and condensed sulfur vapors (S).
Flowers of Zinc:: Volatile zinc oxide (ZnO).
Fluor (as adjective):: Flowing, an adjective indicating that the substance cannot be made solid, e.g., flour volatile alkali,; or, in referring to a mineral, a solid that is easily fusible.
Fluor Acid Air:: Silicon fluoride (SiF₄).
Fluorspar:: Calcium fluoride (CaF₂).
Focus of a Furnace:: That part of a furnace where the fuel is actually burned.
Foliated Earth of Tartar:: Potassium acetate (KC₂H₂O₂).
Fossil:: Any mineral substance.
Fossil Alkali:: Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃).
Fossil Cadmia:: A cobalt mineral, probably cobaltite (CoAsS).
Fossil Oil:: Clear, distilled crude oil.
Frigorific: Having property of producing cold.
Focus:: A substance which can act as a (usually opaque) surface coloring agent.
Fulginosity:: Soot or any black deposit from flames of oily substances.
Fulmination:: Any very rapid reaction which produces heat, light, and noise; e.g., explosions.
Fuming Liquor of Boyle:: Ammonium polysulfide ((NH₄)₂S_y).
Fuming Liquor of Libavious:: Stannic chloride solution (SnCl₄).
Fusion: The changing a solid body to a liquid by the action of fire.

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Galena: Lead sulfide (PbS).
Galley: A type of furnace in which several vessels are heated side by side simultaneously.
Galls: Parasitic growths, commonly found on oaks, which, when dried, ground, and dissolved were useful indicators for iron.
Gentle Calx of Lead: Lead nitrate (Pb(NO₃)₂.
German Ash: Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃).
German Potash: Probably a mixture of potassium carbonate and oxide.
German Vitriol: An ore with both copper and gerrous sulfates (CuSO₄, FeSO₄).
Galacial Oil of Antimony (Butter of Antimony): Antimony trichloride (SbCl₃).
Glass of (A Substance): The fused form of the substance, especially if semitransparent.
Glass of Antimony: Probably antimony oxysulfate (Sb₂O₂SO₄). Prepared by fusion of antimony sulfide, antimony, and an oxide of antimony.
Glass of Borax: Fused borax.
Glass of Lead: Any fused lead compound (especially ceruse, minium, or litharge).
Glauber's Alkahest (Alkahest of Van Helmont): Concentrated potassium carbonate solution (K₂CO₃(aq)).
Glauber's Sal Ammoniac: Ammonium sulphate (NH₄)₂SO₄).
Glauber's Spirit of Nitre: Fuming nitric acid (HNO₃).
Globuli Martiales: Iron powder boiled in cream of tartar solution. Presumably contains some ferrous tartrate (FeC₄H₄O₆). A pharmaceutical preparation of iron.
Glucinum: Beryllium (Be).
Golden Spirit of Sulphur: Ammonium sulphide ((NH₄)₂S).
Graves: The residue left after extracting oils from animal fat by means of heat and moderate pressure.
Gravid: Heavy or dense.
Green Vitriol (Vitriol of Mars): Ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄).
Grume(s) (Grumous): (1) Viscous, clotty; (2) heap(s), clusters.
Guaic (Guyac, Guacium): A tropical wood sometimes used for the resinous extract of that wood.
Gum: Resinous or musiloginous extracts from plants, shrubs, or trees.
Gum Acacia: Like gum arabic, but thought to be distinguishable from it; the dried resinous exudation of certain varieties of the acacia tree.
Gum Arabic: The dried exudation of certain varieties of the acacia tree.
Gum Benzoin: The dried resin of the tree Styrax benzoin.
Gum Dragon: See Gum Tragacanth.
Gum Lac: Dark-red resionous incrustation produced in certain trees by the insect Carteria lacca. When refined by certain processes it beomes "shell-lac" or "shellac."
Gum Tragacanth (Gum Dragon): Dried gummy exhudation of the tree Astragalus gummifer and related speices.
Gypseous Earths: Used for both gypsum or the "earth" contained in it , i.e., calcium oxide. Sometimes the oxide was confused with carbonate as the "earth" of gypsum.
Gypseous Substances: Solid substances which (a) are not soluble in acids, (b) are not hard enough to strike fire from steel, (c) when mixed with water may form a paste which hardens into a solid, and (d) becomes powdery when exposed to fire.
Gypsum: Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO₄ ^. 2H₂O).

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Halitus: Matter in a very subtile form, as a "vapor" or "exhalation." Like these, a "halitus" was often hypothesized if a phenomenon was ascribed to material causes, but no material could be detected by known means.
Hartshorn (Hart's Horn): Ideally, the horn of the male European red deer, but the horns of other deer species were acceptable substitutes.
Hartshorn Calcined to Whiteness: Hartshorn subjected to heat over a long period and developing into a white substance.
Hartshorn Prepared Philosophically: Much like hart's horn calcined to whiteness, but usually with less heat and for a longer period.
Head: The upper part of a distillation apparatus. Also, the bulb or other enlargement at the end of a tube.
Heavy Carburetted Hydrogen: Ethylene (C₂H₄).
Heavy Earth: Barium oxide (BaO). Also barium hydroxide and barium carbonate.
Heavy Inflammable Air: Used at various times for (a) carbon monoxide (CO), (b) water gas (a mixture of H₂ and CO), or (c) methane (CH₄).
Heavy Spar: Barium sulfate (BaSO₄).
Hellebore: A plant of the genus Helleborus. Usually Helleborus niger, the so-called "Christmas rose." The poisonous extract was used in dilute preparations as a medicinal in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Hemlock: The vulgar name for the poisonous plant Conium maculatum and/or its extract.
Henna: The plant Lawsonia inermis. The dried and powdered shoots and leaves were used as a dye or, with suitable medium, a cosmetic.
Hepar Antimonii: Antimony trisulfide (Sb₂S₃).
Hepar Calcis: Calcium sulfide (CaS).
Hepars: Sulfides (-S²¯)
Hepar Sulphuris (Liver of Sulphur): Produced by heating potassium carbonate with sulphur. Not a true compound, it was a metastable mixture of potassium polysulfides and sulfate (K₂S, K₂S₂, K₂S₃, K₂S₄, K₂S₅, K₂SO₄).
Hepatic Air: Hydrogen sulfide gas (H₂S).
Hessian Crucible: A type of crucible made in Hesse, Germany, of a mixture of native clay and fine sand. Such crucibles were noted for being able to withstand sudden changes in temperature.
Homberg's (Sedative) Salt: Boric acid (H₃BO₃ (ortho); H₂B₄O₇ (tetra)).
Horn (Corneous) Lead: Lead chloride (PbCl₂).
Horn Mercury: Chloride of mercury (HgCl₂; Hg₂Cl₂).
Horn Silver (Luna Cornea): Fused silver chloride (AgCl).
Horn Tin: Stannous chloride (SnCl₂).
Hungarian Vitriol: Usually ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄) but also used for copper sulfate (CuSO₄).
Hydromel: Mixture of honey and water, usually in equal proportions. Ferments into "mead."