138 
ON THE VAPOUR OF /ETHEIt. 
into the street, I became so feeble, that I was glad to find a cab. 
When I reached my house I was an object of pity, and evidently 
looked ill : I felt depressed, weak, and chilly. 1 went to bed, and 
was seized with shivering. I slept for an hour, and awoke up 
refreshed. A slight lassitude remained, but there was no marked 
disinclination for food. My pulse, w r hich was ninety during the 
early part of the morning, when I returned home was only sixty- 
three, and at night did not reach more than seventy-six. 
The next day the odour of aether could still be detected in my 
breath ; and, having breakfasted at eight, I waited on Mr. Nor- 
mansell at one o’clock. Mr. Rivers was present, and carefully 
observed me, to ascertain that there was no danger in the experi- 
ment. My pulse was ninety-four, full, but no more so than is usual 
with me. An India rubber ending to the inhaling tube was tried upon 
me ; the object of this was to allow the patient to breathe the va- 
pour through the nostrils, and thereby get rid of the necessity of an 
assistant holding the nose. The impression of the aether, how- 
ever, upon the Schneiderian membrane is particularly unpleasant, 
though not positively painful ; it made me use my hands, and ar- 
range the instrument, so as to close the nasal orifices. There 
was no difference in the result produced. Intoxication ensued as 
speedily as it had done on the previous day, but the inhalation 
was continued for a longer period, under the sanction of Mr. 
Rivers, who superintended the process. 
I awoke up suddenly. A most distinct impression was now 
before me. I saw persons, and knew what they were doing ; 
those persons, however, I must add, were not the individuals 
present. The images were created by my imagination; these, 
however, were vivid, and a whole history w r as connected with them. 
The experiment of which I was the subject had been needlessly 
interfered with : I felt angry, and eager to protest against such 
annoyance. I began to explain, calling out to have the business 
recommenced ; but as I continued to speak, the vision faded, and 
1 cannot now recal it : I know only that it was clear and defined 
as any reality could be, but that it was soon lost, and now cannot 
be revived. 
The taste of the sether was not so strong as before, and I only felt 
uneasy and slightly sick. I had not vomited, but, after regaining 
my consciousness, I soon did so, and then I learned what had taken 
place during the time I had been insensible. 
I had been completely narcotized ; but on being touched, before 
the instrument could be applied, I got out of the operating chair, 
and extended my arms in a threatening, manner. A gentleman 
pulled me back into the seat, and used force to hold me there. 
I resisted, and, placing mv feet against the foot-board, tore it from 
