A Pithy HIstory Of Oxygen: Part II

So, in 1775 and 1776 oxygen was discovered. Yes, it was discovered twice and by two different people. We discussed this in “A Pithy History Of Oxygen.” This peaked the interest of physicians and entrepreneurs. Some wondered how this new substance might help people. Others wondered how it might help them get rich. So, this begins the second part of our “oxygen-rich history.”

Air was too complex

Up to this point, air was too complex to understand or explain.¹

In 1636, Robert Boyle (1627-1691) speculated about this air. He pondered whether gases in the air were exchanged when a person breathed. He wrote: “Fresh defibrinated blood gave off bubbles of gas when it was exposed to the vacuum of an air pump."

Let’s fast forward to 1754. This was the year Joseph Black (1728-1799) discovered carbon dioxide. He called it “fixed air.” He learned that it did not support a flame. It did not support life. And he suspected this was exhaled when people breathe.²

The realization that oxygen supports life

His student was Thomas Beddoes (1730-1810). He was a chemist and physician. So, Beddoes was aware of both carbon dioxide and oxygen. He learned that oxygen did support a flame. It did support life.^2,3

Imagine the excitement!

Theories on oxygen and carbon dioxide

Back then, doctor’s didn’t know about the exchange of gases. They didn’t know you inhaled oxygen and exhaled carbon dioxide. This information eluded the medical profession. But, as noted above, they were closing in on this truth.

Lacking this knowledge, experts created theories. Beddoes had a really interesting theory. This according to the New York State Medical Journal in 1908. Beddoes believed that:

“...all diseases are due to the excess or deficiency of some elementary constituent of the body, and that the inhalation of the various gases would supply the deficiency or eliminate the excess of the element which was the causative factor in a given disease.”⁴

Beddoes realized the potential benefits of oxygen. “Is it possible,” he must have thought, “that I have access to a gas that might cure diseases?”

So, he decided to do an experiment. He created compartments. Oxygen was pumped into them. He then advertised that inhaling oxygen-rich air might help with some diseases. He didn’t say it would cure anything. He just said he was conducting an experiment.

Beginning studies of oxgen

He opened his clinic to the public. He called it the “Pneumatic Institute.” Those who participated paid a fee. And they were allowed to sit inside one of the chambers and breathe oxygen-rich air for an hour or two.

So, who was invited?

Well, pretty much anyone with a chronic ailment. This included people with ulcers, leprosy, cancer, headaches, deafness, depression, tuberculosis, heart failure, and asthma. Of course, back then asthma was defined as shortness of breath. It was an umbrella term. If you had COPD, you were likely diagnosed with asthma.

Now, imagine YOUR excitement!

Here you have this chronic disease. You’re having trouble breathing EVERY day. And here’s a guy who advertises this experiment. You get to breathe this new substance called “Oxygen.”  What is it? Will it cure my lung problem?

You bet you might scrounge up some money to participate in this “experiment.”

So, people were invited. They sat for 2-3 hours inhaling this “special air.” Some reported that it helped. Others said it didn’t do anything. This went on for several years.

The first uses of oxygen to help with breathing

In 1800, an epidemic of typhus made its way through Europe. The Pneumatic Institute was transformed into a hospital.

While it lasted, Beddoes made lots of money. In this way, he may have been the first person to profit off oxygen. It’s difficult for historians to know what his true intentions were. Was he truly trying to help people? Or, was his objective to profit off the sick.

What to make of this? Either way, Beddoes made a contribution to our oxygen history. His clinic is thought to be the first oxygen parlor. His experiment was the first that allowed sick people to inhale oxygen. It may or may not have benefited anyone. But, it set the stage for future experiments and discoveries that would one day allow those with lung diseases to inhale oxygen in the hospital setting and eventually in their own homes.