Simplifying The Chemical Babel

The work was of immense importance to the field, but let s note some interesting little flaws that prove that even Lavoisier was not infallible. First, he names vital air as oxygene, which means acid maker. This was reasonable to Lavoisier since combustion of carbon, sulfur, and phosphorus in pure oxygen each produced acids. His oxygen theory of acids was well accepted. This included 

Simple fubftances belonging to all tbe kingdoms of na tore, which inay be confidered as the elements of bodies. 

Principle or element of heat. Fire. Igneous fluid.. 

Sulphur Phofphorus Charcoal Iuriatic radical Fluoric radical Boracic radical 

FIGURE 202. Here is Lavoisier s list of simple substances (i.e., elements) in the first English edition Elements of Chemistry (London, 1790) of his monumental Traiti Elimen-taire de Chimie (Paris, 1789). Note caloric as an element. Count Rumford would disprove caloric about 10 years later and also marry Lavoisier s widow Marie-Anne Pauize Lavoisi- 

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