CONCLUSION. 391 



obliged almost entirely to discontinue nis studies, and was 

 about to have recourse to medical assistance. In this 

 state of bodily and mental debility he inspired about 

 three quarts of nitrous oxide. The consequences were, 

 an astonishing invigoration of his whole system, and the 

 most exquisite perceptions of delight. These were mani- 

 fested by an uncommon disposition for pleasantry and 

 mirth, and by extraordinary muscular power. The effects 

 of the gas were felt without diminution for at least thirty 

 hours, and in a greater or less degree for more than a 

 week. 



** But the most remarkable effect was that upon tlie 

 organs of taste. Antecedently to taking the gas, he 

 exhibited no peculiar choice in the articles of food, but 

 immediately subsequent to that event, he manifested a taste 

 for such things only as were sweet, and for several days ate 

 nothing but sweet cake. Indeed this singular taste was 

 carried to such excess, that he used sugar and molasses not 

 only upon his bread and butter and lighter food, but upon his 

 meat and vegetables. This he continues to do even at the 

 present time, and although eight weeks have elapsed since 

 he inspired the gas, he is still found pouring molasses over 

 beef, fish, poultry, potatoes, cabbage, or whatever animal or 

 vegetable food is placed before him. 



11 His health and spirits since that time have been uni- 

 formly good, and he attributes the restoration of his 

 strength and mental energy to the influence of the nitrous 

 oxide. He is entirely regular in his mind, and now ex- 

 periences no uncommon exhilaration, but is habitually 

 cheerful, while before he was as habitually grave, and 

 even to a degree gloomy." 



Such is a brief and a general account of the principal 

 phenomena of Nature, and the most remarkable deductions 

 of science, to which the name of Natural Magic has been 



