390 LETTERS ON NATURAL MAGIC. 



he was thrown into a frightful fit of delirium, and his 

 exertions became so violent, that after a while he sunk to 

 the earth exhausted, and there remained, until having by 

 quiet in some degree recovered his strength, he again 

 arose only to renew the most convulsive muscular efforts, 

 and the most piercing screams and cries ; within a few 

 moments, overpowered by the intensity of the paroxysm, 

 he again fell to the ground apparently senseless and pant- 

 ing vehemently. The long continuance and violence of 

 the affection alarmed his companions, and they ran for 

 professional assistance. They were, however, encouraged 

 by the person to whom they applied to hope that he would 

 come out of his trance without injury, but for the space 

 of two hours these symptoms continued ; he was perfectly 

 unconscious of what he was doing, and was in every 

 respect like a maniac. He states, however, that his feelings 

 vibrated between perfect happiness and the most consum- 

 mate misery. In the course of the afternoon, and after 

 the first violent effects had subsided, he was compelled to 

 lie down two or three times, from excessive fatigue, 

 although he was immediately aroused upon any one's 

 entering the room. The effects remained in a degree for 

 three or four days, accompanied by a hoarseness, which he 

 attributed to the exertion made while under the immediate 

 influence of the gas. This case should produce a degree 

 of caution, especially in persons of a sanguine tempera- 

 ment, whom, much more frequently than others, we have 

 seen painfully and even alarmingly affected." 



The other case described by Professor Silliman was 

 that of a man of mature age, and of a grave and respectable 

 character. " For nearly two years previous to his taking 

 the gas his health had been very delicate, and his mind 

 frequently gloomy and depressed. This was peculiarly 

 the case for a few days immediately preceding that time, 

 and his general state of health was such that he was 



