List of discredited substances
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This page forms a list of substances or materials which are generally considered to be discredited. A substance may be discredited in one of three ways:
- It was widely believed to exist at one time but is not anymore. Such substances are often part of an obsolete scientific theory.
- It was once believed to have drastically different properities from those accepted now. Significant properties it was widely claimed and believed to possess are no longer accepted.
- It is currently believed to exist as part of a theory which has not been generally accepted by mainstream science.
There is a separate list of fictional chemical substances and a list of fictional toxins which are the complete invention of various movies, television, novels, comic books, etc.
- Alicorn - The horn of the unicorn which was believed to have mystical healing properties.
- Alkahest - The hypothetical universal solvent, having the power to dissolve every other substance, including gold.
- Caloric - Weightless fluid believed to be the substance of heat.
- Classical elements and Chinese elements[1]
- Élan vital - Substance or force believed to bear the property of life.
- Elixir of life - Substance believed by Alchemists to confer immortality.
- The four bodily humours: Blood, Phlegm, Black Bile, & Yellow Bile. Fluids believed to determine health and character.
- Luminiferous aether - Medium for the propagation of light.
- Miasma - Foul smell believed to carry diseases.
- The N-rays of René-Prosper Blondlot - A form of radiation believed to be emitted by most substances.
- The Odic force of Carl Reichenbach - Force believed to bear the property of life.
- The orgone energy of Wilhelm Reich - Energy believed to bear the property of life.
- Philosopher's stone - Substance believed by Alchemists to transmute other metals into gold.
- Phlogiston - Weightless substance believed to be the present in combustible materials and released when they are burned.
- Polywater - An apparently polymerised form of water.
- Ptomaines - alkaloids found in decaying matter thought to cause food poisoning.
- Red mercury - Controversial substance alleged to be of use to terrorists. Its actual nature is unclear.
- The Terra Pinguis (combustible earth) of J. J. Becher - The forerunner of phlogiston.[citation needed]
- Universal panacea - Substance believed by Alchemists to cure all illness.
[edit] Notes
- ^ This is not to be construed as implying that these items–as they are understood today–are discredited. What is listed are fire, water, metal, etc. qua classical elements.
