Magic tricks -- Juvenile literature; Scientific recreations -- Juvenile literature
THE above fanciful appellation has been given to nitrous oxide, from
the very agreeable sensations excited by inhaling it. In its pure state
it destroys animal life, but loses this noxious quality when inhaled,
because it becomes blended with the atmospheric air which it meets in
the lungs. This gas is made by putting three or four drams of nitrate
of ammonia, in crystals, into a small glass retort, which being held
over a spirit lamp, the crystals will melt, and the gas be evolved.
Having thus produced the gas, it is to be passed into a large bladder
having a stop-cock; and when you are desirous of exhibiting its
effects, you cause the person who wishes to experience them, to first
exhale the atmospheric air from the lungs, and then quickly placing
the cock in his mouth, you turn it, and bid him inhale the gas.
Immediately, a sense of extraordinary cheerfulness, fanciful flights
of imagination, an uncontrollable propensity to laughter, and a
consciousness of being capable of great muscular exertion, supervene.
It does not operate in exactly the same manner on all persons; but
in most cases the sensations are agreeable, and have this important
difference from those produced by wine or spirituous liquors, that they
are not succeeded by any depression of mind.
THE LUMINOUS WAND.
Cover a long slip of wood, half-way, with sulphur, by immersion while
in a melted state. Having prepared a jar of nitrous oxide gas, as in
preceding experiments, light the sulphur, and plunge the wand into the
jar. The gas will extinguish the flame. Withdraw the wand, light it
again, and when the flame is very brilliant, immerse it again in the
jar. It will this time burn with great splendour, and of a beautiful
red colour.
TO MAKE CARBONIC ACID GAS.
Put about an ounce of marble in small lumps, into an eight ounce phial,
with about an equal quantity of water; pour in a little muriatic acid,
and carbonic acid gas will be evolved.
CARBONIC ACID GAS IN WINE OR BEER VESSELS.
The apparently empty or upper part of vessels in which wine or beer
is working, is filled with this deleterious gas; for its great
weight prevents its ascent from the fermenting liquid. A variety
of striking but simple experiments may be made with the gas in
this condition. Lighted paper, or a candle dipped into it, will be
immediately extinguished; and the smoke remaining in the carbonic acid
gas will render its surface visible, which may be thrown into waves
by agitation, like water. In consequence of the great weight of the
carbonic acid gas, it may be taken from a vat of fermenting liquor, in
a jug or bottle, and in the latter, if well corked, it may be conveyed
to great distances; or the gas may be drawn out of a vessel by a cock,
like a liquid.
TO EXTINGUISH FLAME WITH GAS.
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