^ - Strange Effeils of the Gafious Oxide of Azote. ^^y ' 



.■and including Its hiftory by Mr. Davy ; an account of the cafes in which it (hall have * 



been u fed ; of an account of onr experience (viz, of the Medical Pneumatic laftitu- \ 



tionjin pthifical cafes, by Dr. Kinglakc, together with fome communications. 



The narrative of efFcfts, in the words of the author, is as follows, p. 6. 



•• Certain circumflances belonging to the gas, denominated by its great difcovercr, 

 Dr. PrieJlUy, dephlogifticatcd nitrous gas, engaged Mr. Davy's attenticm. After making 

 fdme exj>eriments, which proved that its compofiiion, properties, and mode of action 

 Itad been miftaken by the lateft experimenters, he was induced to refpire it in fmall 

 quantities mingled with common air. In thefe fiifl trials he thought, without fixing 

 his opinion, that it aftcd as a deprcfTrng power ; and I had communicated his fufpiciou 

 to Mr. Watt. DifTatisfied with the refult, however, he at laft ventured to breathe it 

 pure. The firft infpirations of the gas produced giddinefs, fulnefs of th£ head, and 

 in fhort, feelings refembling thofe of incipient intoxication, but unaccompanied by 

 pleafurable feiifation. At the next experiment I was prefent. The quantity was 

 larger, and the gas more pure. The fcene exhibited was the raoft extraordinary I had 

 ever witnefTed, except in the cafe of that epileptic patient, whom I have defcribed 

 {Cunftderat'iOns on airs, part iv. p. 13} as agitated, in conlequence of the refpiration of 

 oxygen gas, with a long fucceffion of the mofl violent movements. The two fpeftacles 

 difTcred, indeed, elfentially in one refpefc}. In the former ever thing was alarming; 

 in the latter, after the firfl moments of furprize, it was impofhble not to recognize the 

 expreffions of the moft extatic pleafure. I find it entirely out of my power to pair^t 

 the appearances, fuch as they exhibited themfelves to me. I faw and heard fliauting, 

 leaping, nmnirig, and other geffures, which may be fuppofed to be exhibited by a per- 

 foii who gives full loofe to feelings, excited by a piece of joyful and unlocked for new*. 

 As in the cafe of the epileptic patient, no wearinefs or deprejjion followed : fo in this 

 Cafe, no exkauJHon or langour or uneafy feeling took place. The experiment Mr, 

 Davy has very frequently repeated, and generally with the higheft pleafurable fcnfations, 

 and except under particular circumflances, with confiderable mufcuiav exertion, whick 

 have not in any inftance been fucceeded by fatigue or fadnefs. 



" Since that time, a number of perfons have Inhaled the fame gas. The following 

 is an abftraft of the reports furnilhed by themfelves. The inaccuracies (Ihould any 

 eccur) will foon be checked by the full account. Imperfeftions both accounts will have 

 for it is impofiible for the combined endeavours of the fpeftator and the fubjefl of ex- 

 periment adequately to reprefent what was fometimes feen and felt. 



" The individuals mentioned below might be clafled in various ways. Many had 

 previous apprehenfion. Some had never heard of the expefted effetl. Othei-s dif- 

 believed it. A diftinftion ought alfo to be made between thofe who refpired before we 

 had learned to pieparc the air with certainty, and thofe who have refpired it fince. ' . 



3 M 2 , From 



