Strange effeSs of the Gafeous Oxide of Azott. - 449 



'* Mr. Stephen Ilammick, Surgeon of the Royal Hofpital, Plymouth. In a fmall 



dofe, yawning and languor It fiiould be obferved, that the firft fenfation has often. 



been difagreeable, as giddinefs ; and a tew perfons, prcvioully apprehenfive, have left 

 off inhaling as foon as they felt this. Two larger doles produced a glow, unreftraina- 

 ble tendency to mufcular aftion, high fpirits and more vivid ideas. 



" A bag of common air was firft given to Mr. Hammick-, and he obferved that it pro- 

 duced no effcfl. The fame precaution againft the delufions of imagination was of 

 courfe frequentJy taken. 



" Mr. William Clayjield has moft refifted the effefts of the gas. Pretty ftrong dofes 

 produced a tranfitory intoxication. In two inftances, very large dofes have excited 

 the violent mufcular orgafm, accompanied with exquifite pleafure, and followed by no 

 debility. 



" Mr. Robert Southey could not diftinguifh between the firft effe£ls, and an apprehen- 

 fion, of which he was unable to diveft himfelf. His firft definite fenfations were, a 

 fullnefs, and dizzinefs in the head, fuch as to induce fear of falling. This was fuc- 

 cceded by a laugh, which was involuntary, but highly pleafurable, accompanied with a 

 peculiar thrilling in the extremities — a fenfation perfeftiy new and delightful. For 

 many hours after this experiment, he imagined that his tafte and fmell were more acute, 

 and is certain that he felt unufually ftrong and chearful. In a fecond experiment, he 

 felt pleafure ftill fuperior, and has fince poetically remarked, that he fuppofes the at- 

 mofphere of the higheft of all poftible heavens to be compofed of this gas. 



" Wilmot, M. D. In\oluntary laughing, with unufual mufcular motions, 



but no particularly pleafant or unpleafant feeling, heat in the cheft, heat and perfpira- 

 tion in the feet. On a fecond inhalation the fenfations were pleafurable. 



" Rjbert Kiiiglake, M. D. Additional freedom and power of refpiration, fucceeded 

 by an almoft delirious, but highly pleafurably fenfation in the head, which became 

 univerfal, with increafed tone of the mufcles. At laft, an intoxicating placidity ab- 

 forbed fur five minutes all voluntary power, and left a cheerfulnefs and alacrity for 

 feveial hours. 



" A fecond ftronger dofe'produced a perfeft trance for about a minute ; then aglow 

 pervaded the fyftem. The permanent effefts were, an invigorated feeling of vital 

 power, and improved fpirits. 



" By both trials, particularly by the former, old rheumatic feelings feemed to be 

 revived for the moment. 



" Mr. Notcutt, formerly lefiurer on chcmiftry at Hackney, was twice throvyi into 

 an cxtatic pleafurable trance ; the firft time his fpirits were better for the day ; after the 

 fecond, he was languid, but is inclined to impute this to exercife in oppreffively hot 

 weather. Perhaps, however, the fecond dofe was too ftrong for his conftitution. 



" Mr. 



