246 EFFECTS OF CHLORIDE OF HYDROCARBON. 
together, the two gases rapidly disappear, and produce a 
colourless oily liquid, of a peculiar sweetish taste and ethe- 
real odour. Its specific gravity is 1.247 It hoils at 148°. 
It is composed of four atoms of carhon, four of hydrogen, 
and two of chlorine. Hence its formula is H'* Cl^. 
When its vapour is inhaled, tlie chloride of hydrocarl)on 
causes so great irritation of the throat, that few can perse- 
vere in breathing it for such a lengih of time as to induce 
anaesthesia. I have latterly, however, seen it inhaled per- 
severingly until this state, with all its usual phenomena, fol- 
lowed; and without excitement of the pulse, or subsequent 
headache. When I myself attempted to inliale the chloride 
of hydrocarbon, it produced an extreme degree of acrid irri- 
tation in the throat, which did not disappear entirely for 
many hours afterwards. 
Nitrute of Ethyle. — When two parts of alcohol, and one 
part of pure nitric acid, are distilled together with the addi- 
tion of a small quantity of urea, nitrate of ethyle, or more 
properly, nitrate of oxide of ethyle, is produced. It is a 
transparent colourless liquid, with a sweet taste, and very 
agreeable odour. Its specific gravity is 1.112; it boils at 
185°. It is a compound of four proportions of carbon, five 
of hydrogen, six of oxygen, and one of nitrogen; and its 
formula is (C* ) 0, N0^ or Ae 0, NO^ 
Nitrate of ethyle is easy and pleasant to inhale, and pos- 
sesses very rapid and powerful anaesthetic properties. A 
small quantity, such as fif?y or sixty drops, when sprinkled 
on a handkerchief and inhaled, produces insensibility after 
a few inspirations. But during the brief period which 
elapses before the state of complete anaesthesis is induced, 
the sensations of noise and fulness in the head are in gene- 
ral excessive ; and much headache and giddiness have 
usually followed its employment, and persisted for some 
time. 
Benzin — Benzin or benzole was first discovered by Fara- 
day, as one of the products in his experiments on compres- 
