612 EFFECTS OF INCREASE OF PRESSURE. [BOOK n. 



convulsions, exactly in the same way as when oxygen is deficient. 

 Corresponding with this it is found that the production of carbonic 

 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. 



