The works of the Honourable Robert Boyle, Esq., epitomiz'd by Richard Boulton ... ; illustrated with copper plates.

TITLE V. Of the Quantity of Spirit contained in Hu∣man Blood, whether accompanied with its Serum, or dryed.

THIS is not easie to determine, since some Mens Blood is much more Phleg∣matick than others, or more Serous, which may of it self be more Spirituous, according to the Complexion, Age, Sex, &c. of the Per∣son that Bleeds.

Twelve Ounces of Healthy Human Blood, afforded us seven Ounces and a half of Phlegm, and consequently about Four Ounces and a half of dry stuff. And havi••g distilled in a Retort, in a Sand Furnace, seven Ounces of well dryed Blood, we obtained about an eighth part of Spirit, which, tho' not recti∣fied, left in the Receiver and Viol I kept it in, a good deal of Volatile Salt undissolved,

which a Phlegmatick Liquor would not have done. And if Spirit of Blood be but a Salt and Phlegm united, We may well sup∣pose, that Human Blood yields a far great∣er Proportion of Spirit than this, since from the seven Ounces of dryed Blood, we obtained about five Drachms of Volatile Salt, which had it been united with a due quantity of Phlegm, it would probably have afforded us near two Ounces more of a Liquor deserving the Name of Spirit.