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' XLVI. On the Respiration of Oxygen Gas, in an Affeciion of 
the Thorax. By Professor Sittiman*. 
I; is not extraordinary that when oxygen gas was first disco- 
vered, and found to be the principle of life to the whole animal 
creation, extravagant expectations should have been formed as 
to its medicinal application. Disappointment followed of course, 
and nuturally led to a neglect of the subject; and, in fact, for 
some years pneumatic medicine has gone into discredit, and 
public opinion has vibrated to the extreme of incredulity. Par- 
taking in a degree in this feeling, we listened with reluctance to 
a very pressing application on this subject during the last sum- 
mer. A young lady, apparently in the last stage of decline, and 
supposed to be affected with hydrothorax, was pronounced be- 
yond the reach of ordinary medical aid. As she was in a remote 
town in Connecticut, where no facilities existed towards the at- 
tainment of the object, we felt no confidence that, even if oxygen 
gas were possessed of any efficacy in such cases, it would actually be 
applied, in this case, in such a manner as to du any good. Yielding, 
however, to the anxious wishes of friends, we furnished drawings 
for such an apparatus as might be presumed attainable, and also 
written and minute directions for preparing, trying, and admi- 
nistering the gas. It was obtained from nitrate of potash (salt- 
petre), not because this was the best process, but because the 
substance could be obtained in the place, and because a com- 
mon fire would serve for its extrication. ‘The gas obtained had, 
of course, a variable mixture of nitrogen or azote; and, probably, 
on an average, might not be purer than nearly the reversed pro- 
portions of the atmosphere—that is, 70 to 80 per cent. of oxy- 
gen to 20 or 30 nitrogen; and it is worthy of observation, 
whether this circumstance might not have influenced the result. 
. Contrary to our expectations, the gas (as we have since been 
informed on good authority) was skilfully prepared and perseve- 
ringly used. From the first, difficulty of breathing and other op- 
pressive affections were relieved; the young lady grew rapidly 
better, and in a few weeks entirely recovered her health. A re- 
spectable physician, conversant with the case, states in a letter 
now before us, ‘* that the inhaling of the oxygen gas relieved the 
difficulty of breathing, increased. the operation of diuretics, and 
has effected her cure. Whether her disease was hydrothorax, or 
an anasarcous affection of the lungs, is a matter, I believe, not 
settled.”’ 
Should the revival of the experiments on the respiration of 
oxygen gas appear to be desired, it would not be difficult to sim- 
7 
* From the American Journal of Science, No.1. 
Vol. 53, No, 252. April 1819. S plify 
