lbs. ozs. grs.
1. _Oxygen_, a gas. The quantity 111 0 0
contained in the body would occupy a
space equal to 1,314 cubic feet
2. _Carbon_, a solid. When obtained 21 0 0
from animals it is called animal
charcoal
3. _Hydrogen_, a gas. The lightest 14 0 0
body in nature. The quantity present
would occupy about 2,622 cubic feet
4. _Nitrogen_, a gas. It would 3 9 0
occupy, when free, about 46 cubic feet
5. _Calcium_, a solid. The metallic 2 0 0
base of lime which has not yet been
obtained in sufficient quantity to be
employed in the arts. It is about the
density of aluminium
6. _Phosphorus_, a solid. This 1 12 190
substance is so inflammable that it can
only be kept in water
7. _Chlorine_, a gas. When combined 0 2 382
with sodium it forms common salt
8. _Sulphur_, a solid. A well-known 0 2 219
substance. It unites with hydrogen,
forming sulphuretted hydrogen, which
gives the unpleasant smell to
decomposing animal and vegetable matter
9. _Sodium_, a metal. It is so light 0 2 116
that it floats on water, and is kept in
naphtha to prevent its oxidation
10. _Fluorine_, a gas. This substance 0 2 0
has not been separated in such a manner
as to permit of an examination of its
properties, and cannot be exhibited.
It is found united with calcium in the
bones
11. _Potassium_, a metal. Like sodium 0 0 290
it floats on water, and burns with a
flame when placed on it
12. _Iron_, a metal. In small 0 0 100
quantities it is necessary to the
health of the body
13. _Magnesium_, a metal. Combined 0 0 12
with oxygen it forms magnesia
14. _Silicon_, a non-metallic 0 0 2
substance. With oxygen it forms silex
or silica. It enters into the
composition of the teeth and hair
154 0 0
Other elements have been found in the body, as copper and manganese, but
these are probably accidental.
These elements, when combined together, form a set of compound bodies
called “proximate principles,” out of which the tissues and fluids of the
body are formed.