644 EFFECTS OF INCREASE OF PRESSURE. [BOOK n. 



acid is diminished. That is to say, when the pressure of the oxygen 

 is increased beyond a certain limit, the oxidations of the body are 

 diminished, and with a still further increase of the oxygen are 

 arrested altogether. The oxidation of phosphorus is perhaps 

 analogous ; at a high pressure of oxygen phosphorus will not burn. 

 Not only animals but plants, bacteria, and organised ferments, are 

 similarly killed by a too great pressure of oxygen. 



