List of discredited substances

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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:

1. It was widely believed to exist at one time but is not anymore. Such substances are often part of an obsolete scientific theory.
2. 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.
3. 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]
  • Fire (classical element)
  • Water (classical element)
  • Earth (classical element)
  • Air (classical element)
  • Wood (classical element)
  • Metal (classical element)
  • Aether (classical element)
• 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

1. ^ 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.