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Dephlogisticating Phlogistons
Phlogiston - ever heard of it? Per phlogiston theory, in all flammable materials
there is present phlogiston, a substance without color, odor, taste, or weight that
is given off in burning. 'Phlogisticated' substances are those that contain phlogiston
and, on being burned, are 'dephlogisticated.' The ash of the burned material is
held to be the true material. The theory received wide support throughout a large
part of the 18th century until it was refuted by the work of A. L. Lavoisier, who
revealed the true nature of combustion. Seems the theory has been dephlogisticated.
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