---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That a free, or at least an unsaturated…"
description: "\"“That a free, or at least an unsaturated acid usually exists in the stomachs of animals, and is in some manner connected with the important process of ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b0/william-prout-100287_acid_that-a-free-or-at-least-an-unsaturated-a_132583.jpg"
---

#  That a free, or at least an unsaturated acid usually…

![“That a free, or at least an unsaturated acid usually exists in the stomachs of animals, and is in some manner connected with the important process of digestion, seems to have been the general opinion of physiologists till the time of Spallanzani . This illustrious philosopher concluded, from his…” quote by William Prout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b0/william-prout-100287_acid_that-a-free-or-at-least-an-unsaturated-a_132583.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b0/william-prout-100287_acid_that-a-free-or-at-least-an-unsaturated-a_132583.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b0/william-prout-100287_acid_that-a-free-or-at-least-an-unsaturated-a_132583.jpg)

> ““That a free, or at least an unsaturated acid usually exists in the stomachs of animals, and is in some manner connected with the important process of digestion, seems to have been the general opinion of physiologists till the time of Spallanzani . This illustrious philosopher concluded, from his numerous experiments, that the gastric fluids, when in a perfectly natural state, are neither acid nor alkaline. Even Spallanzani , however, admitted that the contents of the stomach are very generally acid; and this accords not only with my own observation, but with that, I believe, of almost every individual who has made any experiments on the subject. ... The object of the present communication is to show, that the acid in question is the muriatic \[hydrochloric\] acid, and that the salts usually met with in the stomach, are the alkaline muriates.””

William Prout

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The author argues that stomach acid is hydrochloric acid, not alkaline, based on experiments and observations.

**In simple terms:** Stomach acid is hydrochloric, not alkaline.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the true nature of gastric fluids.

Themes

science physiology digestion experimentation historical

Mood

analytical informative curious

Type

Acid:1 Illustrious:0 Observation:1 Philosopher:0 Philosophy:0 Science:1 Stomach:1 Time:0 Stomach Alkaline:0 Experiments Gastric:1 Contents Stomach:1 Exists Stomachs:0 Alkaline Spallanzani:0

When to use this quote

- medical education
- laboratory research
- clinical practice
- public health messaging
- pharmaceutical development

Key Concepts

acid chemistry gastric physiology experimental method historical scientific debate

Questions to Reflect On

- How does understanding gastric chemistry impact health?
- What experiments could further clarify stomach acidity?

A Different Perspective

Historical context may limit modern relevance; newer research provides more detailed mechanisms.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Illustrious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illustrious/) [Observation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/observation/) [Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [My illustrious lordship, I'll show you what a woman can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/artemisia-gentileschi/my-illustrious-lordship-i-ll-show-you-what-a-woman-can-do/)

Artemisia Gentileschi

> [Illustrious acts high raptures do infuse, And every conqueror creates a muse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-waller/illustrious-acts-high-raptures-do-infuse-and-every-conqueror-creates/)

[Edmund Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-waller/)

> [I was born to an illustrious family in Hyderabad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aditi-rao-hydari/i-was-born-to-an-illustrious-family-in-hyderabad/)

[Aditi Rao Hydari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aditi-rao-hydari/)

> [What is there that is illustrious that is not also attended by labor?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/what-is-there-that-is-illustrious-that-is-not-also-attended-by-labor/)

[Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/)

> [Children, to be illustrious is sad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-nemerov/children-to-be-illustrious-is-sad/)

[Howard Nemerov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-nemerov/)

> [I'm lucky to have such an illustrious family. We love each other and have immense respect for each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-deol/i-m-lucky-to-have-such-an-illustrious-family-we-love-each-other-and/)

[Bobby Deol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-deol/)

> [It is noble to be shy, illustrious not to know how to act, great not to have a gift for living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-pessoa/it-is-noble-to-be-shy-illustrious-not-to-know-how-to-act-great-not-to/)

[Fernando Pessoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-pessoa/)

> [Bright and illustrious illusions!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/bright-and-illustrious-illusions/)

[Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/)

> [Fame legitimizes. Being conspicuous gets confused with being illustrious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-easton/fame-legitimizes-being-conspicuous-gets-confused-with-being/)

[Nina Easton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-easton/)

> [ILLUSTRIOUS, adj. Suitably placed for the shafts of malice, envy and detraction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/illustrious-adj-suitably-placed-for-the-shafts-of-malice-envy-and/)

[Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/)

> [I think I've had an illustrious career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-think-i-ve-had-an-illustrious-career/)

[Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/)

> [It was my care to make my life illustrious not by words more than by deeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/it-was-my-care-to-make-my-life-illustrious-not-by-words-more-than-by/)

[Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/)

> [“An interesting contrast between the geology of the present day and that of half a century ago, is presented by the complete emancipation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-henry-huxley/an-interesting-contrast-between-the-geology-of-the-present-day-and/)

[Thomas Henry Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-henry-huxley/)

## More by William Prout

> [“I had come to the conclusion, that the principal alimentary matters might be reduced to the three great classes, namely the saccharine, the oily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-prout/i-had-come-to-the-conclusion-that-the-principal-alimentary-matters/)

William Prout

Explore all 2 William Prout quotes

## More Acid quotes

> [Grew up in a small town where there was only one crazy guy. He didn't even go insane doing anything good, like going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-posehn/grew-up-in-a-small-town-where-there-was-only-one-crazy-guy-he-didn-t/)

[Brian Posehn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-posehn/)

> [Under Thatcher, who ruled us with an iron rod, great art was made. Amazing designers and musicians. Acid house was born. Very colourful and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-gallagher/under-thatcher-who-ruled-us-with-an-iron-rod-great-art-was-made/)

[Noel Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-gallagher/)

> [Balance is key in cooking - you want a little acid, a little sweet, a little savory - the flavors should be harmonious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-simmons/balance-is-key-in-cooking-you-want-a-little-acid-a-little-sweet-a/)

[Gail Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-simmons/)

> [Canada is a country whose main exports are hockey players and cold fronts. Our main imports are baseball players and acid rain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-trudeau/canada-is-a-country-whose-main-exports-are-hockey-players-and-cold/)

[Pierre Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-trudeau/)

> [If you've never seen an elephant ski, then you've never been on acid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/if-you-ve-never-seen-an-elephant-ski-then-you-ve-never-been-on-acid/)

[Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/)

> [In my case I've never not been political, though religion tended to overshadow it in my acid days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lennon/in-my-case-i-ve-never-not-been-political-though-religion-tended-to/)

[John Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lennon/)

> [Envy may justly be called "the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity;" it is the most acid fruit that grows on the stock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hosea-ballou/envy-may-justly-be-called-the-gall-of-bitterness-and-bond-of-iniquity/)

[Hosea Ballou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hosea-ballou/)

> [“They threw rotten fruit at me and told me next time it would be acid.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-brooks/they-threw-rotten-fruit-at-me-and-told-me-next-time-it-would-be-acid/)

[Geraldine Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-brooks/)

> [“We were left with nothing because of a love like acid that ate its way through our entire family.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-d-ronald/we-were-left-with-nothing-because-of-a-love-like-acid-that-ate-its/)

[R.D. Ronald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-d-ronald/)

> [The acid test of our love for God is obedience to His Word. The greatest ability is dependability. The test of your character is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-jones-sr/the-acid-test-of-our-love-for-god-is-obedience-to-his-word-the/)

[Bob Jones, Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-jones-sr/)

> [You must have had such a great childhood with a man like that for your father. (Delphine) Yeah. All puppy dogs and rainbows and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/you-must-have-had-such-a-great-childhood-with-a-man-like-that-for/)

[Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/)

> [Since I was gay and loved disco music, it was kinda pre-programmed that my first experiences with house music and acid - which I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justus-kohncke/since-i-was-gay-and-loved-disco-music-it-was-kinda-pre-programmed/)

Justus Kohncke

> [We open the halves of a miracle, and a clotting of acids brims into the starry divisions: creation's original juices, irreducible, changeless, alive: so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-neruda/we-open-the-halves-of-a-miracle-and-a-clotting-of-acids-brims-into/)

[Pablo Neruda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-neruda/)

> [I was standing in the street with people walking past me and I could feel my face evaporating. I thought I was on fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-piper/i-was-standing-in-the-street-with-people-walking-past-me-and-i-could/)

[Katie Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-piper/)

> [Once I slapped a rapper with mace, Then I spit acid in his face, after he rinsed his eyes, no wait... I actually grew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pharoahe-monch/once-i-slapped-a-rapper-with-mace-then-i-spit-acid-in-his-face-after/)

[Pharoahe Monch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pharoahe-monch/)

Browse all 448 Acid quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“That a free, or at least an unsaturated acid usually exists in the stomachs of animals, and is in some manner connected with the important process of digestion, seems to have been the general opinion of physiologists till the time of Spallanzani . This illustrious philosopher concluded, from his numerous experiments, that the gastric fluids, when in a perfectly natural state, are neither acid nor alkaline. Even Spallanzani , however, admitted that the contents of the stomach are very generally acid; and this accords not only with my own observation, but with that, I believe, of almost every individual who has made any experiments on the subject. ... The object of the present communication is to show, that the acid in question is the muriatic [hydrochloric] acid, and that the salts usually met with in the stomach, are the alkaline muriates.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "William Prout"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-prout/that-a-free-or-at-least-an-unsaturated-acid-usually-exists-in-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Acid"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-prout/that-a-free-or-at-least-an-unsaturated-acid-usually-exists-in-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b0/william-prout-100287_acid_that-a-free-or-at-least-an-unsaturated-a_132583.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b0/william-prout-100287_acid_that-a-free-or-at-least-an-unsaturated-a_132583.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b0/william-prout-100287_acid_that-a-free-or-at-least-an-unsaturated-a_132583.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“That a free, or at least an unsaturated acid usually exists in the stomachs of animals, and is in some…” — William Prout",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "William Prout",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-prout/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“That a free, or at least...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-prout/that-a-free-or-at-least-an-unsaturated-acid-usually-exists-in-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-prout/that-a-free-or-at-least-an-unsaturated-acid-usually-exists-in-the/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
