OXYGEN 191 



8. Effect on the color of the blood. If blood be suspended in 

 oxygen gas or agitated with it, or even with common air in a glass 

 tube, it turns it of a brilliant vermilion color; the nature of the 

 change is to be mentioned hereafter more particularly ; we may how- 

 ever remark at present, that it acts on the blood principally, by im- 

 parting oxygen and detaching carbon. 



9. It is found in more combinations and in greater quantities than 

 any element.* It is found in the atmosphere, in all waters and watery 

 fluids, and in all natural fluids, except perhaps naptha and mercury. 

 It exists in animals and plants; in stones, rocks, and metallic oxides, 

 and in acids, salts, earths, and alkalies ; it possesses therefore the 

 highest importance, and without knowing this agent, we could under- 

 stand little of the real constitution of things. 



What has been called the modern theory of chemistry, was 

 occupied principally in unfolding the agencies of oxygen, and this 

 exposition still constitutes the most important part of the science. 



10. Polarity. It goes to the positive pole in the electro-galvanic 

 circuit, and is therefore considered as electro-negative. f 



11. Its combining weight. Hydrogen being unity, J oxygen is 

 represented by 8, because these are the proportions in which these 

 elements exist in water. 



As its combining weight is " smaller than that of most bodies, it is 

 inferred that it approaches nearer than they to the elementary or 



in six weeks, he was able to take long walks. This state of health lasted for six 

 months ; but after this interval he relapsed ; and being no longer able to have re- 

 course to the use of vital air, because Mr. De P had departed for Paris, he 



died. I am very far, adds Mr. Chaptal, from believing that the respiration of vital 

 air ought to be considered as a specific, in cases of this nature. I am even in doubt 

 whether this powerful air is perfectly adapted to such circumstances ; but it in- 

 spires cheerfulness, renders the patient happy, and in desperate cases, it is certainly 

 a most precious remedy, which can spread flowers on the borders of the tomb, and 

 prepare us in the gentlest manner for the last dreadful effort of nature." 



Thenard relates that of three men who had been suffocated by sulphuretted hy- 

 drogen gas, in cleaning a privy, two died almost immediately, and the third being 

 almost dead, was made to respire oxygen gas from a bladder, and it rallied his pow- 

 ers so that he sat up for a moment, but soon fell back and died. In a case related in 

 the Am. Jour. Vol. XVI, p. 250, by Dr. Muse, of Cambridge, Maryland, there was 

 the most complete success, a favorite hound that had been for several hours com- 

 pletely drowned, having been perfectly restored to life, and gradually to all his func- 

 tions in consequence of the injection of oxygen gas into his lungs ; the very first in- 

 flation of the lungs produced a shrill yelp from the animal. For other remarkable 

 cases, see also Am. Jour. Vol. I, p. 95, and Dr. Thornton's various Reports in Til- 

 loch's Philos. Mag. 



* Limiting our estimate, of course, to the bodies with which we are acquainted^ 

 t Several respectable modern authors make this fact the foundation of an arrange- 

 ment of chemical bodies. 



t Several authors have adopted oxygen for unity ; Dr. Thomson makes it 1, Dr, 

 Wollaston 10, Berzelius 100, &c. 



