Obfervations on inflammable Air. 347 
This pleafure, however, I paid very dear for in ano- 
ther experiment, in which I was near lofing my life. 
Having filled a bladder of the largeft fort with about 
350 cubic inches of inflammable air extracted from iron 
filings through water, which air was not at alldiminifhed 
by the mixture of nitrous air; I began to breathe it boldly 
(owing to the encouragement received from the above 
related experiment), and refolved to breathe it as long as 
my ftrength would permit me, after having made a very 
violent expiration in order to evacuate the lungs of the 
atmofpheric air. Having made the firft infpiration I felt 
a great oppreflion upon my lungs. Towards the middle 
of the fecond infpiration I heard Mr. cavallo, who fa- 
voured me with his afliftance in thefe experiments, fay, 
that I was become very pale : by this time the objects ap- 
peared confufed to my eyes. Notwithftanding this, I 
made the third infpiration ; but now my ftrength failing, 
I loft my fight intirely, and fell upon my knees. In this 
fituation I breathed the air of the room, but my knees 
not being able to fupport me, I fell intirely upon the 
floor. However, in a fhort time I came to myfelf, fo as to 
be able to get up, &:c. ; but my refpiration continued to be 
affe£ted with difficulty and pain, as if I had a great weight 
upon the breaft; nor did I perfectly recover before the 
next day. 
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