Air Quote by John Mayow
“We do not doubt to assert, that air does not serve for the motion of the lungs, but rather to communicate something to the blood ... It is very likely that it is the fine nitrous particles, with which the air abounds, that are communicated to the blood through the lungs.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: De Motu Corporum in Vivo by John Mayow, 1668
Air’s primary role is to carry fine nitrous particles to the blood, not to move the lungs directly.
In simple terms: Air transports tiny particles to blood, not lung motion.
Key Takeaway
Consider the chemical role of breathing.
Themes
physiology
chemistry
respiration
Mood
curious
analytical
Type
scientific
historical
When to use this quote
- medical research
- education
- public health
- environmental studies
Key Concepts
gas exchange
nitrous particles
blood oxygenation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does modern science view air’s function?
- What implications does this have for respiratory health?
A Different Perspective
The claim predates modern understanding of oxygen and may be inaccurate.
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