Monthly Microscopicall 
Journal, June 1, 1869. J 
on the Blood Corjpusdes. 
359 
tissues, and carbonic acid gas to the lungs, for it is reasonable to 
infer that the liquor sanguinis is actively engaged in this operation. 
After the most careful examination under the microscope, I have 
been unable to observe those modifications in the form of the cor- 
puscles in venous and arterial blood, changing from biconvex to 
biconcave disks, and attributed to the absorption of the gases, of 
which so much is said in the books. That anaesthetics, w^hen acting 
directly upon the nerve centres, may interfere with the oxygenation 
of the nervous mass, is possible, but it is to be viewed rather as an 
effect than as a cause of narcosis. Again, even admitting that such 
agents as chloroform and ether, by interfering with natural respira- 
tion and the oxygenation of the nervous mass, might possibly pro- 
duce their result in that way, it is difficult to understand how this 
can be brought to bear upon an agent like nitrous oxide, which 
contains an excess of oxygen over atmospheric air. To those who 
may assert that nitrous oxide is a compound (and not a mixture 
like atmospheric air), and therefore incapable of decomposition and 
furnishing oxygen to the nervous mass, I would remind them of 
a law in chemistry, that when two compounds, the elements of 
which have a stronger affinity for each other than the compounds 
in which they exist, are brought in contact under favourable cir- 
cumstances, a mutual decomposition occurs, and new compounds 
are formed in their place. It may be said that the conditions in 
the body are not favourable to such results ; but who shall have the 
temerity to assert that, when recalling the incessant compositions 
and decompositions of a chemical character taking place in the body, 
fully recognized and admitted by those who insist most upon the 
controlling influence of vitality ? It is a well-known fact, that 
nitrous oxide is a supporter of combustion, and that a lighted 
candle burns with increased brilliancy in it ; here the combination 
of the nitrogen and oxygen in definite proportion is not so strong 
but that the carbon of the candle is able to seize upon the oxygen, 
and augment the size of the flame. The function of respiration 
consists in a mere interchange of gases, of the exhalation of carbonic 
acid gas and the introduction of oxygen ; the latter, absorbed by 
the blood, is carried to the nervous mass and other tissues, and 
results in their oxygenation, a slow form of combustion, which is 
but a difi'erence in degree with the burning of the candle. If, then, 
the nitrous oxide, as can be readily demonstrated, yields up its 
oxygen to support the burning of a candle, where is the philosophy 
in denying that it may also as freely give up its oxygen to a tissue 
which has such a strong affinity for it as the nervous mass, when 
they are brought in direct contact with each other ? 
In addition to these arguments, it should be remembered by the 
readers of this magazine, that in cases of impending asphyxia from 
drowning, hanging, inhalation of noxious vapours, &c., on the part 
