Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/392

37°] P H O incalculable quantities of tliem being sold in the metropolis, under the name of Bed Morocco Flowers. PHOSPHORUS, a term gene- rally given to such bodies as are himiuous in the dark, without emitting heat or flame. According to modern chemists, phosphorus is a ^imple,intlammnble substance, which cannot be decom- posed : when pure, it is U-ansparent, and of a whitish colour ; being slightly tenacious, and fusible in a degree of heat inferior to that of boiling water. It constiLr.tes a part of all organized bodies, Mhether of the animal, vegetable, or mineral kingdom. I'hus, if wood be de- composed by putrefaftion, in a cer- tain degree of heat and moisture, then broken into fragments, and exposed to the oxygen of the atmos- phere, it will become luminous in dark places. Putrescent veal also shines under similar circumstances ; and likewise the sea-weeds usually cmploved in packing oysters. The existence of phosphorus in vegetables, was first ascertained by iSI. Margraaf, who observed, that farinaceous grains, when exposed in close vessels to an intense heat, in a peculiar degree possessed this property of emitting light. It has, farther, been discovered in sugar j gum-arabic J flour; dung; urine; bone-asiies ; and in ever)-' other animal and vegetable substance ; by the proce-ses adopted in prepar- ing the artificial phosphori of Hom- BERGjKuxKFL.andotherchemi'ts. Properties ofP/iosphoriis : — Cha- rafters drawn on paper with solid phosphorus, will appear like a flame in the dark ; though, in the light, a dense smoke only will be percep- tible : and, if such paper be held near the fire, the letters will imme- diately become black, and continue PH O to be as legible as those formed with ink. Great caution, however, ought to be observed in making such experiments ; because, if a particle of phos[)horus be rubbed between two papers, they will im- mediately take tire, which cannot be easily extinguished ; hence it will be advisable to keep this in- flammable matter continually im- mersed under water. As phosphorus exists in all vege- tables. Dr. Darwin conjectures that it forms one of the articles of their food, and is absorbed entirely by their vessels, as often as it oc- curs in a state of solution ; though it may also be occasionally formed, and secreted, by plants. In his opinion, it essentially contributes to their growth, and imparts firm- ness to timber-trees, — See Phos- phoric Acid. In a medicinal view, phosphorus has a remarkable etfeft on the hu- man frame ; and, when admini- stered with judgment and circum- speiSlion, forms a very powerful and valuable remedy. According to jVI. Bakchewitz, and other Continental writers, it has proved of essential service in paralytic, epi- leptic, melancholic, and maniacal attacks ; in every species of erup- tive fevers ; particularly in those where the eruption strikes in, and is accompanied with anxiety, con- vulsions, and other nervous symp- toms. Ke direfts it to be given iri doses of one grain, mixed with conserve of roses, or vvitii any of the syrups. — Farther, a variety of cases have lately been published by M. Leuoi, in France, who admi- nisteicd phosphorus internally with the greatest success, in consumptive diseases ; in malignant fevers,where it etfeftually checked the progress of gangrene 3 and especially contri- buted