902 Medical Pneumatic Inflitution. 
to inhale it. Dr. Beddoes relates the circumflances in the 
following words : 
“‘ The firft infpirations of the gas produced giddinefs, ful- 
nefs of the head, and, in fhort, feelings refembling thofe of 
incipient intoxication, but unaccompanied by pleafurable 
fenfation. At this next experiment I was prefent. The 
quantity was larger, and the gas more pure. The fcene ex- 
hibited was the moft extraordinary I had ever witneffed, ex- 
cept in the cafe of that epileptic patient, whom I have de- 
feribed (Confiderations on Airs, pat iv. p. 13.) as agitated, in 
confequence of the refpiration of oxygen gas, with along fuc- 
ceffion of the moft violent movements. The two fpectacles 
differed, indeed, effentially in one refpect. In the former 
every thing was alarming: in the latter, after the firft mo- 
ments of furprize, it was impoffible not to recognize the ex- 
_ preffions of the moft ecftatic pleafure. I find it entirely out 
of my power to paint the appearances, fuch as they exhibited 
themfelves to me. I faw and heard fhouting, leaping, run- 
ning, and other geftures, which may be fuppofed to be exhi- 
bited by a perfon who gives full loofe to feelings excited by a 
piece of joyful and unlooked-for news. As in the cafe of 
the epileptic patient, 720 wearine/s or depreffion followed ; fo, 
in this cafe, no exhauflion or languor or uneafy feeling took 
place.’ The experiment Mr. Davy has very frequently re-. 
peated, and generally with the higheft pleafurable fenfations ; 
and, except under particular circumftances, with confiderable 
Sealer exertions, which have not in any inftance been fuc- 
eceded by fatigue or fadnefs.” é 
A number of perfons afterwards inhaled the fame gas: the 
following extracts will convey fome idea of the very fingular 
effects produced by it: 
Mr. J.W. Tobin (after the firft imperfeét trials), when the 
air was pure, experienced fometimes fublime emotions, with 
tranquil geftures ; fometimes violent mufcular action, with 
fenfations indeferibably exquifite ; no fubfequent debility— 
no exhauftion.—His trials have been very numerous. Of 
late he has felt only fedate pleafure, In Mr, Davy the effeét 
is not diminithed, 
Mrs, 
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