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[All Kigliis Eeservocl,

A MONTHLY JOI^RNAL AND RECORDOf all s u c h F a c ts, P rin cip les -ind D iscoveries as r e la te to th e
im p r o v e m e n t a n d p rear.-v -tio n o f-e a rth ly ex isten ce.
E d ited b y “ P A E A .U L A X
iBdhof ot
N O.

I,

VOL.

TL.9 Zei.fatic-,'’ aad Author of “ Zutetio AstroDoniy " and otner sdeutiiic w-orks,)

1.

M ARCH, 1873.

O ke

F : - knv,

To ihe Seligloas we S iiv -L IT C : t!u;t you maj- see die ‘ I n tlie p assag e (Quoted, “ T h o r o w e r -ji tlie A ir,'
hilfUiujjiit of Praiilu^f.v. To the Irreligious we scy also— th e m s a n iiig is v e ry siig litiy , if a t all, oLsciu’fd ,L IV E : tiuityou tr.iiy Iia-.e time to test y.nir opinions ‘n ■'ptjoiifi-li h iJ d e n b e n e a th a stra t'a m o f g e n e ru l cx:>r;5c:ice. and to Ti'itrK^^s*

reMi.U.s ut uuiuiui proGTC-'-oS.

__ tu i. -a■
TOijJSKm, liie cu\'ormg 13 so ^^a^lSparcIlt. tnat it.
•He «h-Ml<H«UiR 1*Rt to mnaJn ou earti. and w
diffi.-ixlt io s>eo th a t. wLatevor sp iritu al andisi’.'ve liii-i conujlion contin\]aii\, en .shoulu Le lau. wjli he,,•1.
ai-.d betier lor the ttttenii.t. ;iud aove tiie !««• titted for i moral m eam ag it may Lave, it Has <jno almost .ir
clearly sci-jntiilc as can oe toim a m anj- 3n!Xl6r:i^ ___________ ___________ -iTork on 6lQmoi3tary eheiaistry, LcEiving o u t . I n: the pi'fisent, a-ay oonsiderataon of “Tho rr in ce ,” wt“ TH E P E IN C S OP T H E P O W E Il OF T H E ; may ask-what-is t h e ‘'Puu'f/'of tlia A ir .’? Tiie-riir
A IIv.”-vve lire-ithe, iiud. ia which w e lir e , is known to bs
All laqiiiry, a Discovory, a-n-i an Espsrience. atoinpound., priupipady, o itw o ga?3es, orelemeni-i.
'
Oxvc+jis- and K n ’XOOES ; the eompoaitic-n of hny-a .0 LI J .itV
' .
,
, .
.
1 1
^
givea volum e being, in. rcnmd n u m b e rs :—OxxGE>:.................One i'a r t.
Makt years ago my attontioE. was arrested by
KiTEuGEJr.............Four I ’ai-ts.
tlie passu go in Ephesians, Ch-ap. 2 , v. 2 :- -“ Thei ’rin!-e ol tho Power of th e Air.”'
Eti: nitiogen although constituting four-ilfthi, <jf
Piaecieai iiivostigation had at a verj'early periad. the a ii i? ootaparatively inert. I t has iirti-s ac-tjre,
satisfied rne that in -many parts of both the old part in the world. It is almost pasdvo, ai-id c-onand the new Testament, besides spiritual and moral fined in its influence to th e pcw er c f slightly
teachings, there lay a deep philosophical meaning, ■combining w ith animal aad vegetable eompotrads,
which had reference to th e elements of the natural and simply Intireasing their suhstanco. B u t o.i'^gcn
world around us, and to their influence oh aninml (ouh^ constitutiiig one fifth of -the atmosphere;) is, inand vegetable existence. That there was in fact a every sensOj. an acft'w elonient. I t is th e chief ,.misiratuni o f ancient scientific truth analogous to 'cause of combustionj^respiratioh aiid decoihposiftoh.
that so rapidly developing in otir own day by It comsumes all the m illions of tons o£ fu tl— coals,
ehemioal and elaotiical investigations. Thai this Avood, turf, oils of our lamps, and tallow andancient and .sacred philosophy had been neglected, wax of ctu- candle.?,, w hich at great labour and .
over'ookod,forgotten,and lost; and that whatwenow cost, and sacrifice o f life, are obtained'for i;ur use.
call discoveries are, Htrictly speakirg, recoveries and I t co rro d ^ a n d destroys nearly all the prodjicts, -.frestdrat:' ris of the p a st; that there is no ti-uth human iudusti-y. A ll our works ia iron and othijiwhich is ne-w, that falsehood alone permif-s of in ­ metal are rusted and broken up ; bui- devices invention and is therefore necessarily evanescent fuid .wood aad sto n e ; the monuments w e raise, thetemporary in its dnration, whilst Truth is eternal— buildings we eroot, from the simplest hovel _tQ the
without beginning a id without end, without birth greatest tomple, however -fiimly. and ingeniously^ vithon t death— “the same to day^ yesterday and -wrought, sooner or later s-uceumb to the corrodiBjf vv
for ever.”___- and destroying' inilueiice o f atmospheric Osygen . '■V

E A E T E — L IP E .
A lm ost everj'tMng' wliioli enters into the cora- thirst, and the necessity for food and drink. I fjosition of tlie ph.yEioal -vvorld is aolfed upon by food and drink are withheld the body dies, conihis never-resting eleTnent. So aimost univerBa] is sum'ed like the fuel in a furnace or the oil in a
its activity tliat in the faw instances of resistance lamp by the decom position’of its substance, t i e
to its power, tn e snbstanoes are specially designated burning up of its elements through the corroding
as noble and invaluable’. Gold and silver because potrer of the oxygen of the atmosphere. Thisof their capabilitj’- of resisting norrosion or oxidation corrosion or consumption of the body generates
are called “ N oble M etals.”* Diamonds, rubies, many forms of debilify and numerous diseases; allemeralds and other crystalline substances,' are ■svhich wolild be prevented if the system could becalled “j0Tve]s”and “precious stones” partly it is ti’ue protected against this destroying influence of at­
because of their scareisy, but chiefly through their mospheric oxygen, — this terrible “ P oi?-ot” of
30Tver o f resisting de'cay, and preserving their the air.
It has long been known that different kinds
jriliiancy and colour through all times and cir­
cumstances. Y /hatever is b ea u tifjl and a t'th e of <ood and drink, have different properties insame time incorrodible is eonsiclcred a yahiabJe supporting the body and protecting it against
D-ere, T he same beauty T^'itLoiit tiie power to oxidation. But food and drink alono havo proved
resist docay is not prized to the same degree. insufficient » defend the system for any con­
Decay, eorrosioa, rusting, fermontation, combustion, siderable length of time, hence, the necessity arises
decoiiiposition and destruction are chiefly processes for some other process; some other element orof oxidation, the result o f the great altinity which compound than ordinary food supplies, to shieldoxva’en has for so many of in e oar'jh’s constituents. the body from oxidation and destractiori.
Although several substances exist in nature,
This Gxjaren is the princlpoi destroying agent. I t is
the aciivo element of tno atriiospherc, or ia^other whii'h have this power to some degree, yet all,exce'pi^nne, are found to be aome%vhat objectioaablo^tords “ The Fewer of th e Air,”
A gainst the action of chis oxygon, man has in their subsequent influence and effectj That one(sarnetl by esperience to proteet hi.s work by is the element Phogpliorus. I t has been used by
gat iirating and coating it -with various compositions, many Physicians during the last century for the
jaints, enamels, oils and varnishes of eYeiy kind : restoration of health and strength; but not for
Hit he has not, so far, been able to protect himself, their preservation. A sa iifa and health Preserver,
by aijy other m eans than food and clot'aing. i t is it is even more valuable than it ia as an article ofMany very extraordinary
the ckygen or “ Poorer” of the air, which, by its the M atena Medica.
action in the lungs and the skin, decomposes and cures have been recorded in mscKcal ■tvorks, asconsames the bodj* creating atrophy hunger and wrought by the internal adminigtration o f Phos,orus. Some oi the Continental Phytjicians have
* Tho pressiit n.tbiemen of the world are Bimpiy tlie
.ed it “ A D iv ia e Eem edy.” The celebrated“ Favourites of Fovtv.ne.”
The.v possess th e cfiitii. the Prench Physiologist, M ajekdie, in his “ Pormulpe,”
foimdfrtion of sxibstantUil wealih, and have tiit; advantagesof e'liTCa.t'.on, positi"ri. and arbiti-aiy honours; and m any cf says, “ Phosphorus wouid seem to have effected
I t has been employed
them are hardy-, l)ra--e ar.ii generous; to a great C'.sEent xin- almost reaurrections.”
seiiish; ;ind thoriiUgi\iy patiiorio, but niirnbera a ao iig them ■with success in instances where vital action was
are as fa rjty , frail, tu d s'iiffering as o rd h iar/ nj&rtals. Vs liea nearly estinguiehed.” In many other cases “ thel'!r20ti(.'sl science ban m a»; ’as aquainted with the nature atid
Cases are re­prc-!K>rt3e3 of u'll t i e ritm e n ts of the erirth snd of the resultg w ere almost wonderful. ”
niimerona siibtkties -’.'hich act ir> inteilsotual and i;iorai lated ia “ Hooper’s Medical D ictionary/’ of patients
i'.aturt, & new nobility i-nll arise, a people upon whom the even “ when comatose, piilso faltering, wrists cold,
lariU ag eieuients of the vrorld, its ’tvirics :ind fogs, and aiid digsolation fast approaching, recovering by
ra in ? : its suhooes :md cyclones; its extr«ii'ies of heat a n dcoll] ; its jiurupt nftd trjiisg oh;is5ges ; it* storm s and pes- the use of Phosphorus.”
Although the modern Materia Medica includes
liler.ce-;. will have little or no cffset. YVho can lire upon
the earth s surface enjuj-ing its innum erable beauties ivithout many valuable remedies for human afiiictionSi it
aul'jecticn to the “ Po%ver of the A i- ”—to the coraKllng ia a matter of certainty that in all cases where theeffect of the' oxygen of its atmosphere. Such a people will be
lin g phosphorus is decidedly
more thiin a n o liility ; and far greater than the -vrom’s p re ­ animal vitality is failir
sent Kristocrac}-: they will he demi-gods—idse, lioaitliy, superior to e v e ^ other remedy at present known.
good, happy and long-lived. Those who have wealth and I t wiU work ’ effects such as nothing else w ill
liberty and privilege a t command, and y e t are s'abject to produce, and it possesses the great advantage o fevil from “ every wiud th a t blows ” are only an artificial
nobility. Could th ey sitporadd to their present advantages, not causing, when its use is relinquished, thethe capability of resistiag the influence of atiaosph-arie slightest re-action or depression.
elem ents, th ey ’(vonld becooje.a true and real nobiEty—th>3
W ith Euch unprecedented testimony in its
gold and silver and jewelry of the earth, exam ples before
the m ultitride, to e'seit-e them to leave th e ir grovelling lives favour the question naturally presents itself, “ whyis so valuable an element so little regarded and soof crime and darkness, for a higher antl^happier existence.

E A R T H —L IF E .

3seldom prescribed ?” The only ansirer wliich can wasted. To take phosphonis, then, may be conbe given i s ;— that a certain diiEoulty has beea eidered as simply feeding the brain and nerves, as
found in so preparing it that its action may bfi kept simply givin g back to them the element they haveunder perfect control. Hitherto it has been used lost and thus m aintaining the “ balance of power.”in solution in almond and olive oils, in Sulpinuie To restore to the brain the elem ent it has lost
Hither, in rectified Alcohol,' in ChloioforEa, and during the “ wear and tear ” of life, is simply toin several other substances; but ho’srever valuable nourish and preserve it, and therefore phosphorus
i f has been found in all the hitherto kaoi^-'n dissolved in water may properly be called hrain-food,m ethods of its preparation, certain irregular ra«iilts — nerve-diet. Just as flesh and corn are lecxuisito
have been experienced, -rhich have led physicians for the nourishment and preservation of the general
to neglect it for general pm-jjosos, and to emj'.loy body, so is phosphorus absolutely required for theit only in extreme cases, and after prery other support of the brain and iiervous system. Y7ithrtrnedy has failed. B ut th e Author has now out such elem ents both body and brain become
discovered an exceedingly simple method of dis­ diseased, and in the end decay and die.
solving it iu w a te r; so tliat its invaluable action
So valuable are the properties, and so extensiveon (he human system may be realised without any is the field in which this now preparation may beof tboso drawbacks which previous modes of employed for the relief of hum an Fuffering, thatadministration liave almost invariably pTodtic-ed. the Author feels it a duty to m ake known to the
T he watsiT' solution of phosphorus is at once ivorld, w ithout roccrrc :ir rew aid, ihe method of
assimilated and diffused through the syBtem, ao propariiig it, and the best general mode of using i t ;that its action is general and perfectly safe. It in the hope that a gToat amotint of present afm aybe taken by the youngoist child, and in tbo flicvion may be removed, and in tho future pre­e-ttremest decrepitude. ' Strictly speaking it is not vented.
a m odicinebut simply a vitalibikg food.
The following dia.gram represents the process
Vt/'hon the brain and nervous system fail in
power it is beoause the phosphorus which is sn by which free phosphorus is rendered perfeetl}'
iniportant element in their composition has been soluble in water !—S. is a retort of glass or earthenware, resting condenso in the long tube, T. T he fluid arising
upon a stand, or any ordinary support; 8, a spirit from the condensed vapour vrUlhe a perfect solution
lam j): T, a long glass tube perfectly luted on the o f p u re and f ree ‘pliospTiorus in distilled ivater.
neck o f the retort; P , a cap o f blotting or filtering
The object of the cap of blotting or filtering
paper, tied on the end of the tu b e ; B, a bottle for paper tied over the end of the tube at P , is two­receiving the product as it drops from the tube.
fold ; first, it keeps out the air, w hich otherwise
Let perfectly piu-e phosphorus be put into the would enter and oxidize th e phosphorus, conbody of the retort, which may be ^ le d w ithin vei-ting it into hypophosphorus acid, and thus pre­h alf an inch o f the neck, with cold water. W hen vent the formation of an aqueous solution o f fre e
the apparatus is fixed, the tube T perfectly luted, phosjjTiOrtis ; and, secondly, to filter tlie phosphorus
and the cap tied on, apply the spirit lamp, 8, (an water before it drops into the bottle below. It,
ordinary gas jet may be used, or a sand-bath,) also serves to keep back any esoesa of solid p hos­until the water begins to boil, after which keep ’ phorus which may come over during" thethe contents of the retort gently boiling ; the steam distillation, and condense in the tube.
which passes over w ill caiTV w ith it a portion of
The amount of phosi>horu3 to be put into fhepure phosphorus in an unoxidized state, and will retort m ay be ss follows
To one pint o f water

E.-iB T H — L IF E ..
__________ .
add one scruple (or twouty grains) of purified tiqn is essential in tho present state of existeuce,
p iiosp hon is; continue the boiling uutil about two but when that degree-is exceeded numerous forms
ounces of liquid remain ia the retovt. To preserve of disease' arise.
W hen the phosphorus' water is taken into thethe phosphorus in its free or active state the re­ceiving bottles ehpuld be very small, so ihat they system, it is quickly absorbed into the generalcan be filled quicH y aud securely corked, by whioli body o f circuiatihg fluids, The excess ofthe -^vater w ill be protected against tiie oxidising oxygen which has passed into the circulation, andaction of the air.
Of this liquid from one tea­ which is corroding and bre-akiug down,- or .oxidi­
spoonful to a "wine-glass may be taken, according sing the most susceiitible tissues, fonning morbid
prcduots, and creating "symptoms of disease, isto age. night and morning.
, Thus by one of the sim plest chemical processes,— chased and attaeked by ttie soluble phosphorus. It
bj’^gently distilling free phosphoras v ith water, in is at-once", seized and fixed into phosphoric acid.,a glass or earthenware retort, and condensing the The phosphoric acid thus tormed, in its turn unites
vapour out of. contact wiik the air, a liqilid product | w ith the carbonates and other feeble salts of potash,
is obtained, which, from its remarkable action on | soda, ammonia, lime, & c . j w hich exist in t h e /the hum an frame, in increasing its vitality and | blood and fluids generally, converting them intofunctional power may indeed be called a “ ’vuter-j neutral phosphates. These phosphates have all ao f life.” I t is. to all intents and pui'pusos; a true; soothing,healing and analeptic iuiluence. The whole
and literal ‘‘ life watei'.” surpassing’, beyond a ir svstem is broug it to a cakn and licalthfiil condition.
ooiuparison, the so-caUed Aqua vito! of the aleho-; AVhiist a portion of the absorbed phosphortta is
mists.
The dearreo also to which It improvo.= a n d ' hunting dcw'n and imprisoiLiug the invading oxy­invigorates the tiorceptions, the memory, ;iiid the. gen, Jiaofcher portion, on the principle that “ likeoapabilicy of reasoning upon, and undei’standiug,; assimilates like," enters into the composition of thewhatever is presented; as w ell as from the mau'icr j bri’in. and n.ervous system, and thus increase.? thein which it operates in developing and intonsitying i mental and .moral powers, or lathor the deve'oi)the niorai and em otional povrors, it may truly be moat of such powers to iheiv ftuleat degree.
Another very imporiant eifcct of aqueous fi'e;.'called an ujiia iaru'ta,— a „nevr and chemicnilyp.hosphorus is, that after taking it long enough t’j
generated “ holy water."That our medical meu ot every ach'.'Ol, oiir convert all th e alkali'js, earths &c., iu the duid.^
greatest oheirusts; phyfiiologij:ts, philosopiiera, and into neutral phosphates, if its usi.- is still continued,
mun of soieiiee generaily ; as w ell as inventurs of, the lime phosphafct- Vvdiioh has during yt'i.irs jf
and those who adopt, the numberless methods and existence gradually deposited in tho body ossitjing
preparations which, are adverti.sed in all directions and hardening its various organs, and choking up
and in every conceivable niauuer for the cure ot iuillions of capillary vesaols, ia converted intc.
the “ Ills whioli rlesh is heir to ” su.ffer and decay, super,mosphate, which is a soluble compouud,
and pass away from amo.rigst us, as grfca!ly and as capable of Ijeing absorbed and carried out of thequickly as the least educated in soiiety, io matter sj'steni ic tho ordinary exeretar. Thus in advanced,of positive proof as well as of reg ret; and althoiigh life, an.l ia all cases of excessive ossifleatiou, tho
it may be conceded that much good has been done system is gradually relieved of the rigidity, iaa(;by every s^\ stem w hich lias yet been proposed, there tivity and solidity which characterise •“ olil_
Thus free phosphorus taken by theis certainly still a deiicionoy ; still ham anity sufiers ; age-’’
aud it is piiiiifnlly evident that som ething more is healthy and vigorous operates to preserve thatsomething: more simple, more health and vigour, and, if taken b y the weakly
urgently wanted—
Jited- somet.hing
decided iu its action, loss of the character of or­ and suffering, tho destroying enemy — " thedinary physio i>i' mudi'.-’iii^, and moro of the' Povrer ot^ the air,” the ever active oxygen, isua'iure of a pr«sorving and probi.cting alim.ent. hunted down, its evil influence arrested, and theThif' ite.purtaafc
m-idical scii.'uce has, sufferer enabled to recovcr from the assault-. Howso far. failed to supply.
fj'^t us hopo that the long chis condition of healthy life may be continued
la in g of a no real philosopher will ventm’e to predicate.
prep-aration now dt-scribed
duscribet is theetion' andseries of impi'ovemeiita in the rig'■ht(T o be continued.)of victories over the natural world.
Those who jfeel an interest in the subject of thishorns article, will also feel a desire to prepare the aqueous
The action of this solution of free phosph'
on an organised b ein g is veiy simple easily ob- solution of phosphorus for themselves. But should
served and traced, and very beneficial iu several any of oar readers find it moonvenient to do so we■respects. W e have seen tliat atmospheric oxygen w ill instruct them where to obtain the preparationis the natural or chemical “ power of the air ; ” ia any quantity and at little cost. Address thethat it oxidisesj corrodes, or burns up and destroys Editor of “ E arth -L ife,” 24, Leighton Bead,' nearly all the substances of the earth,and that living Kentish Town, London.
organised ' being? are especially affected by its P rinted, tlia Proprietor, by Benny & Co.. 120, K entish Town Kor.a
action. It is true that a certain degree of osida- London, .toS publisheil by S. Palmar, S8.';, Strand Loudon, -ff.c.