^^8 Strange effeBs of the Gafeous Oxide of Azote. 



From many hundreds of experiments, we have alfo now acquired an idea of tlie Ao^e^ 

 fuitable to diflTerent temperaments. But there was a time, when for want of fuck 

 knowledge, the refults were lefs agreeable than might have been wifhed. AH thefe cir- 

 cumftances require attention. At prefent, however, without attempting either flrifl 

 arrangement or analyfis, I fliall meerly endeavour to flate the leading circumftaaccs as 

 briefly as perfpicuity will allow. 



" Mr. J. TV. Tobin (after the firft imperfeft trials), when the air was pure, experi- 

 enced fometimes fublime emotions with tranquil gellures, fometimes violent mufcular 

 aftion, with fenfations indefcribably exquiute ; no fubfequent debility — no exhauftion. 

 — His trials have been very ruamerous . Of late he has felt only fedate pleafure. In Mr. 

 Davy the effect is not diminifhed. 



" Patrick Dwyer has always exhibited a ludicrous flruggle between a propenCty to 

 laugh, undoubtedly produced by the air, and an eager defire to continue the inhalation. 



" Rev, Rickemond Barbauld felt exhilarated, and was compelled to laugh, not by 

 any ludicrous idea, hut by an impulfe unconnefted with thought, and fimilar to that which 

 is felt by children full of health and fpirits— laffitude and languor through the day after- 

 wards, which Mr. B. is difpofed to attribute to hot opprefTive weather, and a preceding 

 fleeplefs night. 



" Mrs. Barbauld — the Children's Friend. At firll pleafurable fenfations, occafioning 

 involuntary laughter ; fome momentary faintnefs afterwards.- We now underftand the 

 regulation of the dole, fo as perhaps to be able to remove Mr. Barbauld's languor, and to 

 give Mrs. ^ar^a«W the pleafure without the tranfitory famtnefs. 



" Mr. George Burnet had never heard of the effeft of the air, after inhalation broke 

 out into the mofl rapturous exclamations I ever witncfied, breathed at two o'clock. 

 P. M. and had all day a moft delightful flow of fpirits. 



" Mrs. Beddoes---])reuy uniform pleafurable fenfations-.-propenfity to mufcular 

 exertion, could walk much better up Clifton Hill-— has frequently feenjfid to be afcend- 

 ing like a balloon, a feeling which Mr. Burnet flrongly exprefl'ed. 



" Mr. James Thompfon. Involuntary laughter, thrilling in his toes and fingers, 

 exquifite fenfations of pleafure. A pain in the back and knees, occafioned by fatigue 

 the day before, recurred a few minutes afterwards. A fimilar obfervation, we tliiiik, we 

 have made on others ; and we impute it to the undoubted power of the gas to increafe 

 the fenfibility, or nervous power, beyond any other agent, and probably in a peculiar 

 manner. 



" Mr. Thomas Pople—zl fiv^ .impleafant feelings of tenfion ; afterwards agreeable 

 luxurious languor, with fufpenfion of mufcular pcwer---lalily increafed powers of body 

 and mind-- vivid and highly pleaCurabie fenfations. In a fecond expciimeiit, all the 

 faculties abforbed in fine plcafing (eelings of cxiftcncc. 



" Mr. 



