We remember (perhaps) from our chemistry classes that phosphorus is one of the primary elements. I do not recall how important phosphorus is in the human physiology, but in 1896 they really did not understand.
Looking for an obituary in the Spokesman-Review for 14 October 1896, I came upon this teeny little bit: "Phosphorus In The Brain. The human brain contains a considerable proportion of phosphorus, varying from 1/20th to 1/30th of the whole mass. If the average weight of the brain be taken at 47 and 1/2 ounces it will then count phosphorus as amounting to 1 and 1/2 ounces. Phosphorus is found to be almost entirely wanting in the brains of idiots."
And how, I wonder, did they know that?
They did autopsies on both normal and mentally retarded people's brains and compared them.
ReplyDeleteI have always liked reading the pre 1900 newspapers, so many interesting articles.
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