NITROUS OXIDE. 285 



an elastic force of above 50 atmospheres at 45. The gas is formed 

 by the union of a combining measure, or 2 volumes of nitrogen, 

 with a combining measure, or 1 volume of oxygen, which are 

 condensed into 2 volumes, the combining measure of this gas. 

 The weight of a single volume, or the density of the gas, is 

 therefore 



Cold water agitated with this gas dissolves about three-fourths 

 of its volume of the gas, and acquires a sweetish taste, but, I 

 believe, no stimulating properties. Bodies which burn in air, 

 burn with increased brilliancy in this gas, if introduced in a 

 state of ignition. A newly blown out taper with a red wick 

 may be rekindled in it, as in oxygen. Mixed with an equal 

 bulk of hydrogen and ignited by flame and the electric spark, it 

 detonates violently. In all these cases of combustion, the 

 nitrous oxide is decomposed, its oxygen uniting with the com- 

 bustible and its nitrogen being set free. When transmitted 

 through a red-hot porcelain tube, nitrous oxide is likewise de- 

 composed and resolved into oxygen, nitrogen, and the peroxide 

 of nitrogen. 



Nitrous oxide was supposed by Davy to combine with alka- 

 lies, when generated in contact with them, but these com- 

 pounds have since been found to contain nitrosulphuric acid. 



This gas may be respired for two or three minutes without 

 inconvenience, and when the gas is unmixed with air, and the 

 lungs have been well emptied of air before respiring, it induces 

 an agreeable state of revery or intoxication, often accompanied 

 with considerable excitement, which lasts for a minute or two, 

 and disappears without any unpleasant consequences. The gas 

 from an ounce and a half or two ounces of nitrate of ammonia 

 is sufficient for a dose, and it should be respired from a bag of 

 the size of a large ox-bladder, and provided with a wooden tube 

 of an inch internal diameter. The volume of the gas diminishes 

 rapidly during the inspiration, and finally only a few cubic inches 

 remain. An animal entirely confined in this gas soon dies from 

 the prolonged effects of the intoxication. 



