| lbs.
| ozs.
| grs.
|
| 1. Oxygen, a gas. The quantity
contained in the body would occupy a space equal to 1,314 cubic
feet
| 111
| 0
| 0
|
| 2. Carbon, a solid. When obtained
from animals it is called animal charcoal
| 21
| 0
| 0
|
| 3. Hydrogen, a gas. The lightest body
in nature. The quantity present would occupy about 2,622
cubic feet
| 14
| 0
| 0
|
| 4. Nitrogen, a gas. It would occupy,
when free, about 46 cubic feet
| 3
| 9
| 0
|
| 5. Calcium, a solid. The metallic 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
| 2
| 0
| 0
|
| 6. Phosphorus, a solid. This substance
is so inflammable that it can only be kept in water
| 1
| 12
| 190
|
| 7. Chlorine, a gas. When combined with
sodium it forms common salt
| 0
| 2
| 382
|
| 8. Sulphur, a solid. A well-known
substance. It unites with hydrogen, forming sulphuretted
hydrogen, which gives the unpleasant smell to decomposing animal
and vegetable matter
| 0
| 2
| 219
|
| 9. Sodium, a metal. It is so light that
it floats on water, and is kept in naphtha to prevent its
oxidation
| 0
| 2
| 116
|
| 10. Fluorine, a gas. This substance 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
| 0
| 2
| 0
|
| 11. Potassium, a metal. Like sodium it
floats on water, and burns with a flame when placed on it
| 0
| 0
| 290
|
| 12. Iron, a metal. In small quantities
it is necessary to the health of the body
| 0
| 0
| 100
|
| 13. Magnesium, a metal. Combined with
oxygen it forms magnesia
| 0
| 0
| 12
|
| 14. Silicon, a non-metallic substance.
With oxygen it forms silex or silica. It enters into the
composition of the teeth and hair
| 0
| 0
| 2
|
| 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.