Researches Chemical and Philosophical; Chiefly concerning nitrous oxide: or dephlogisticated nitrous air and its respirationDavy, Humphry, Sir
Science
Researches Chemical and Philosophical; Chiefly concerning nitrous oxide: or dephlogisticated nitrous air and its respiration
Davy, Humphry, Sir
Nitrous oxide
Mr. WYNNE, M. P. breathed five quarts of diluted nitrous oxide, without
any sensation. Six quarts produced fulness in the chest, heat in
the hands and feet, and sense of tension in the fingers, slight but
pleasant sensations. Seven quarts produced no new or different effects.
Mr. MACKINTOSH several times breathed nitrous oxide. He had sense of
fulness in the head, thrillings, tingling in the fingers, and generally
pleasurable feelings.
Mr. JOHN CAVE, Junr. from breathing four quarts of nitrous oxide, felt
sensations as from superior wine, and general pleasant feelings.
Mr. MICHAEL CASTLE, from five quarts, experienced sensations of heat
and thrilling, general spirits heightened considerably as from wine;
afterwards, slight pain in the back of the head.
Mr. H. CARDWELL, from five quarts, had feelings so pleasurable as
almost to destroy consciousness; almost convulsed with laughter; for a
long time could not think of the feeling without laughing; sensation of
lightness for some time after.
Mr. JARMAN, from five quarts, great pleasure, laughter, certainly
better spirits, glow in the cheeks which continued long.
The gentleman who furnished the preceding detail, had heard of
the effects of nitrous oxide, and was prepared to experience new
sensations: I therefore gave him a bag of common air which he respired,
believing it to be nitrous oxide; and was much surprised that no
effects were produced. He then breathed five quarts of nitrous oxide,
and after the experiment, gave this account of his sensations.
Rev. W. A. CANE, after inhaling the gas, felt the most delicious
sensations accompanied by a thrill through every part of his body.
He did not think it possible so charming an effect could have been
produced. He had heard of the gas; but the result of the experiment far
exceeded his expectations.
_May 6th_, 1800.
* * * * *
Mr. JOSEPH PRIESTLEY from breathing nitrous oxide, generally had
unpleasant fulness of the head and throbbing of the arteries, which
prevented him from continuing the respiration.
Dr. BEDDOES mentioned in his Notice, that Mr. JOSIAH WEDGWOOD and Mr.
THOMAS WEDGWOOD experienced rather unpleasant feelings from the gas.
Mr. JOSIAH WEDGWOOD has since repeated the trial, the effects were
powerful, but not in the slighted degree pleasant.
Mr. R. BOULTON and Mr. G. WATT have been much less affected than any
individuals.
Many other persons have respired the gas, but as their accounts contain
nothing unnoticed in the details, it is useless to particularise them.
The cases of all the males who have been unpleasantly affected since
we have learnt to prepare the gas with accuracy, are related in this
Section and in the last Division. Those who have been pleasurably
affected after a fair trial and whose cases are not noticed, generally
experienced fulness in the head, heat in the chest, pleasurable
thrillings, and consequent exhilaration.
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