Domestic Intelligence. 195 



respective members, the nitrous oxide, or exhilarating 

 gas. 



The relations of the effects of this gas have been so 

 frequent, and similar, that they have become trite ; there 

 were, however, two cases during the last season, which 

 appear worthy of being published. 



Case I. 



A. B. a member of the junior class, about 19 years old, 

 is a person of a sanguine temperament, of a cheerful turn of 

 mind, and possessed of the most perfect health. He breath- 

 ed the gas which was prepared, and administered in the 

 usual dose, and manner. Immediately, his feelings were un- 

 commonly elevated, so that (as he expressed it) he found it 

 "impossible to refrain from dancing and shouting." Indeed, 

 to such a degree was he excited, that he was thrown into a 

 frightful delirium, and his exertions became so violent, that 

 after a while he sunk to the earth, exhausted, and there re- 

 mained, until having, by quiet, in some degree recovered 

 his strength, he again arose, only to renew the most con- 

 vulsive muscular efforts, and the most piercing screams 

 and cries, within a few moments, overpowered by the in- 

 tensity of the paroxysm, he again fell to the ground, apparent- 

 ly senseless, and panting vehemently. The long continu- 

 ance, and violence of the affection, alarmed his companions, 

 and they ran for professional assistance. They were how- 

 ever, encouraged by the person to whom they applied, to hope 

 that he would come out of his trance without injury, but for 

 the space of two hours these symptoms continued; he was per- 

 fectly unconsciousof what he vi^sdoing, and was in every res- 

 pect, like amaniac; he states however, that /Ms/eeZngs vibrated 

 between perfect happiness, and the most consummate misery. 

 In the course of the afternoon, and after the first violent effects 

 had subsided, he was compelled to lie down two or three 

 times, from excessive fatigue, ahhough he was immediate- 

 ly aroused upon any one's entering the room. The effects 

 remained in a degree, for three or four days, accompanied 

 by a hoarseness, which he attributed to the exertion made 

 while under the immediate influence of the gas. 



This case should produce a degree of caution, especially 

 in persons of a sanguine temperament, whom, much more 



