136 
ON THE VAPOUR OF AETHER. 
put any instrument into my mouth. I was forced to be very ex- 
planatory. He laughed, and appeared very firm at first, mingling 
the expressions of his determination with much good advice upon 
the importance and value of the masticatory organs, of which he 
told me I did not retain too many. By degrees, however, he soft- 
ened a little, and what was at first a flat denial became, at last, a 
gentle expostulation. I knew then he would consent. In fact, 
being a medical man, he could not resist the temptation I placed 
before him. With seeming reluctance, assuring me he yielded 
only to my evident resolution, and to prevent my being tortured or 
abused by ignorant persons, he appointed nine o’clock on the fol- 
lowing morning for my gratification. 
The gentleman to whom I have alluded had experience in the 
application of the aether, and had been most successful in its use. 
In his hands it seldom failed ; and on that account, quite as much 
as because of his professional skill, I troubled him with my request. 
On the following morning, having eaten alight breakfast, I went 
to my appointment, and found Mr. Normalised expecting me. All 
was ready. The inhaler he uses was charged with an ounce of 
aether, six drachms of which were sulphuric, the remaining two 
chloric. I seated myself, and Mr. Normansell applied the mouth- 
piece to my lips, while his assistant held my nose. Obeying the 
instructions given me, I began to inspire lustily; but at first I tasted 
little, because the vapour was admitted gradually, and, when the 
air was fully charged, I was not unpleasantly conscious of the fumes 
which I was inhaling. An agreeable warmth at the chest was 
unaccompanied by any desire to cough. I did not seem to draw 
above twenty inspirations before I became aware that the aether 
was affecting me. The head became swimming, and it soon needed 
an effort to recognise surrounding objects. The effort made, how- 
ever, I was incapable of repeating it : a glare passed before my 
eyes, and I recollect no more. 
When consciousness returned, something was passing in my 
mind, but as to the precise image presented there I have no dis- 
tinct idea. I found myself leaning over a basin, and washing out 
my mouth, feeling strangely confused, and earnestly expostulating 
to Mr. Normansell. It seems I wanted more aether, and was 
somewhat indignant that the operation had been interrupted : I 
was soon, however, sufficiently myself to hear, “ No, no, no ; I 
will give you no more aether : you’ll be through my windows. It 
is not safe with you.” 
Consciousness returned suddenly. I recognised where I was in 
an instant. There was no gradual restoration in that respect. 
The mind leaps, as it were, from the intoxicating influence, and 
seizes on the actual at once. Then I became aware of an acrid 
