Chapter X: Part 10

The thrilling was very rapidly produced. The objects around me were perfectly distinct, and the light of the candle not as usual dazzling. The pleasurable sensation was at first local and perceived in the lips and about the cheeks. It gradually however, diffused itself over the whole body, and in the middle of the experiment was for a moment so intense and pure as to absorb existence. At this moment, and not before, I lost consciousness; it was however, quickly restored, and I endeavoured to make a by-stander acquainted with the pleasure I experienced by laughing and stamping. I had no vivid ideas. The thrilling and the pleasurable feeling continued for many minutes; I felt two hours afterwards, a slight recurrence of them, in the intermediate state between sleeping and waking; and I had during the whole of the night, vivid and agreeable dreams. I awoke in the morning with the feeling of restless energy, or that desire of action connected with no definite object, which I had often experienced in the course of experiments in 1799.

I have two or three times since respired nitrous oxide under similar circumstances; but never with equal pleasure.

During the last fortnight, I have breathed it very often; the effects have been powerful and the sensations uncommon; but pleasurable only in a slight degree.

I ought to have observed that a desire to breathe the gas is always awakened in me by the sight of a person breathing, or even by that of an air-bag or an airholder.

I have this day, June 5th, respired four large doses of gas. The first two taken in the morning acted very powerfully; but produced no thrilling or other pleasurable feelings. The effects of the third breathed immediately after a hearty dinner were pleasant, but neither intense or intoxicating. The fourth was respired at night in darkness and silence after the occurrence of a circumstance which had produced some anxiety. This dose affected me powerfully and pleasantly; a slight thrilling in the extremities was produced; an exhiliration continued for some time, and I have had but little return of uneasiness. 11 P. M.

From the nature of the language of feeling, the preceding detail contains many imperfections; I have endeavoured to give as accurate an account as possible of the strange effects of nitrous oxide, by making use of terms standing for the most similar common feelings.

We are incapable of recollecting pleasures and pains of sense.[220] It is impossible to reason concerning them, except by means of terms which have been associated with them at the moment of their existence, and which are afterwards called up amidst trains of concomitant ideas.

[220] Physical pleasure and pain generally occur connected with a compound impression, i. e. an organ and some object. When the idea left by the compound impression, is called up by being linked accidentally to some other idea or impression, no recurrence, or the slightest possible, of the pleasure or pain in any form will take place. But when the compound impression itself exists _without_ the physical pleasure or pain, it will awaken ideal or intellectual pleasure or pain, i. e. hope or fear. So that physical pleasure and pain are to hope and fear, what impressions are to ideas. For instance, assuming no accidental association, the child does not fear the fire before he is burnt. When he puts his finger to the fire he feels the physical pain of burning, which is connected with a visible compound impression, the fire and his finger. Now when the compound idea of the fire and his finger, left by the compound impression are called up by his mother, saying, “_You have burnt your finger_,” nothing like fear or the pain of burning is connected with it. But when the finger is brought near the fire, i. e. when the compound impression again exists, the ideal pain of burning or the passion of fear is awakened, and it becomes connected with those very actions which removed the finger from the fire.

When pleasures and pains are new or connected with new ideas, they can never be intelligibly detailed unless associated during their existence with terms standing for analogous feelings.

I have sometimes experienced from nitrous oxide, sensations similar to no others, and they have consequently been indescribable. This has been likewise often the case with other persons. Of two paralytic patients who were asked what they felt after breathing nitrous oxide, the first answered, “_I do not know how, but very queer._” The second said, “_I felt like the sound of a harp._” Probably in the one case, no analogous feelings had ever occurred. In the other, the pleasurable thrillings were similar to the sensations produced by music; and hence, they were connected with terms formerly applied to music.

DIVISION II.

_DETAILS of the EFFECTS produced by the RESPIRATION
of NITROUS OXIDE upon different INDIVIDUALS
furnished by THEMSELVES._

The experiments related in the following details, were made in the Medical Pneumatic Institution.

Abstracts from many of them have been published by Dr. Beddoes.[221]

[221] Notice of some Observations made at the Medical Pneumatic Institution.

I. _Detail of_ MR. J. W. TOBIN.

Having seen the remarkable effects produced on Mr. Davy, by breathing nitrous oxide, the 18th of April; I became desirous of taking some.

A day or two after I breathed 2 quarts of this gas, returning it back again into the same bag, after two or three in inspirations, breathing became difficult, and I occasionally admitted common air into my lungs. While the respiration was continued, my sensations became more pleasant. On taking the bag from my mouth, I staggered a little, but felt no other effect.

On the second time of making the experiment, I took nearly four quarts, but still found it difficult to continue breathing long, though the air which was left in the bag was far from being impure.

The effects however, in this case, were more striking than in the former. Increased muscular action was accompanied by very pleasurable feelings, and a strong desire to continue the inspiration. On removing the bag from my mouth, I laughed, staggered, and attempted to speak, but stammered exceedingly, and was utterly unable to pronounce some words. My usual state of mind, however, soon returned.

On the 29th, I again breathed four quarts. The pleasant feelings produced at first, urged me to continue the inspiration with great eagerness. These feelings however, went off towards the end of the experiment, and no other effects followed. The gas had probably been breathed too long, as it would not support flame. I then proposed to Mr. Davy, to inhale the air by the mouth from one bag, and to expire it from the nose into another. This method was pursued with less than three quarts, but the effects were so powerful as to oblige me to take in a little common air occasionally. I soon found my nervous system agitated by the highest sensations of pleasure, which are difficult of description; my muscular powers were very much increased, and I went on breathing with great vehemence, not from a difficulty of inspiration, but from an eager avidity for more air. When the bags were exhausted and taken from me, I continued breathing with the same violence, then suddenly starting from the chair, and vociferating with pleasure, I made towards those that were present, as I wished they should participate in my feelings. I struck gently at Mr. Davy and a stranger entering the room at the moment, I made towards him, and gave him several blows, but more in the spirit of good humour than of anger. I then ran through different rooms in the house, and at last returned to the laboratory somewhat more composed; my spirits continued much elevated for some hours after the experiment, and I felt no consequent depression either in the evening or the day following, but slept as soundly as usual.

On the 5th of May, I again attempted to breathe nitrous oxide, but it happened to contain suspended nitrous vapour which rendered it non-respirable.

On the 7th, I inspired 7 quarts of pure gas mingled with an equal quantity of common air, the sensations were pleasant, and my muscular power much increased.

On the 8th, I inspired five quarts without any mixture of common air, but the effects were not equal to those produced the day before; Indeed there were reasons for supposing that the gas was impure.

On the 18th, I breathed nearly six quarts of the pure nitrous oxide. It is not easy to describe my sensations; they were superior to any thing I ever before experienced. My step was firm, and all my muscular powers increased. My senses were more alive to every surrounding impression; I threw myself into several theatrical attitudes, and traversed the laboratory with a quick step; my mind was elevated to a most sublime height. It is giving but a faint idea of the feelings to say, that they resembled those produced by a representation of an heroic scene on the stage, or by reading a sublime passage in poetry when circumstances contribute to awaken the finest sympathies of the soul. In a few minutes the usual state of mind returned. I continued in good spirits for the rest of the day, and slept soundly.

Since the 18th of May, I have very often breathed nitrous oxide. In the first experiments when pure, its effects were generally similar to those just described.

Lately I have seldom experienced vivid sensations. The pleasure produced by it is slight and tranquil, I rarely feel sublime emotions or increased muscular power.

J. W. TOBIN.
_October, 1799._

II. _Detail of_ MR. WM. CLAYFIELD.

The first time that I breathed the nitrous oxide, it produced feelings analogous to those of intoxication. I was for some time unconscious of existence, but at no period of the experiment experienced agreeable sensations, a momentary nausea followed it; but unconnected with languor or head-ache.

After this I several times respired the gas, but on account of the fulness in the head and apparent throbbing of the arteries in the brain,[222] always desisted to breathe before the full effects were produced. In two experiments however, when by powerful voluntary efforts I succeeded in breathing a large quantity of gas for some minutes, I had highly pleasurable thrillings in the extremities, and such increase of muscular power, as to be obliged to exert my limbs with violence. After these experiments, no languor or depression followed.

WILLIAM CLAYFIELD.

[222] In some of these experiments, hearing was rendered more acute.

III. _Letter from_ DR. KINGLAKE.

In compliance with your desire, I will endeavour to give you a faithful detail of the effects produced on my sensations by the inhalation of nitrous oxide.

My first inspiration of it was limited to four quarts, diluted with an equal quantity of atmospheric air. After a few inspirations, a sense of additional freedom and power (call it energy if you please) agreeably pervaded the region of the lungs; this was quickly succeeded by an almost delirious but highly pleasurable sensation in the brain, which was soon diffused over the whole frame, imparting to the muscular power at once an encreased disposition and tone for action; but the mental effect of the excitement was such as to absorb in a sort of intoxicating placidity, and delight, volition, or rather the power of voluntary motion. These effects were in a greater or less degree protracted during about five minutes, when the former state returned, with the difference however of feeling more cheerful and alert, for several hours after.

It seemed also to have had the further effect of reviving rheumatic irritations in the shoulder and knee-joints, which had not been previously felt for many months. No perceptible change was induced in the pulse either at or subsequent to the time of inhaling the gas.

The effects produced by a second trial of its powers, were more extensive, and concentrated on the brain. In this instance, nearly six quarts undiluted, were accurately and fully inhaled. As on the former occasion, it immediately proved agreeably respirable, but before the whole quantity was quite exhausted, its agency was exerted so strongly on the brain, as progressively to suspend the senses of seeing, hearing, feeling, and ultimately the power of volition itself. At this period, the pulse was much augmented both in force and frequency; slight convulsive twitches of the muscles of the arms were also induced; no painful sensation, nausea, or languor, however, either preceded, accompanied, or followed this state, nor did a minute elapse before the brain rallied, and resumed its wonted faculties, when a sense of glowing warmth extending over the system, was speedily succeeded by a re-instatement of the equilibrium of health.

The more permanent effects were (as in the first experiment) an invigorated feel of vital power, improved spirits, transient irritations in different parts, but not so characteristically rheumatic as in the former instance.

Among the circumstances most worthy of regard in considering the properties and administration of this powerful aërial agent, may be ranked, the fact of its being (contrary to the prevailing opinion[223]) both highly respirable, and salutary, that it impresses the brain and system at large with a more or less strong and durable degree of pleasurable sensation, that unlike the effect of other violently exciting agents, no sensible exhaustion or diminution of vital power accrues from the exertions of its stimulant property, that its most excessive operation even, is neither permanently nor transiently debilitating; and finally, that it fairly promises under judicious application, to prove an extremely efficient remedy, as well in the vast tribe of diseases originating from deficient irritability and sensibility, as in those proceeding from morbid associations, and modifications, of those vital principles.

If you should deem any thing contained in this cursory narrative capable of subserving in any degree the practical advantages likely to result from your scientific and valuable investigation of the genuine properties of the nitrous oxide, it is perfectly at your disposal.

I am
Your sincere friend,
ROBERT KINGLAKE.

_Bristol, June 14th, 1799._

To MR. DAVY.

[223] Dr. Mitchill (an American Chemist) has erroneously supposed its full admission to the lungs, in its concentrated state, to be incompatible with animal life, and that in a more diluted form it operates as a principal agent in the production of contagious diseases, &c. This gratuitous position is thus unqualifiedly affirmed. “If a full inspiration of gaseous oxyd be made, there will be a sudden extinction of life; and this accordingly accounts for the fact related by Russel (History of Aleppo, p. 232.) and confirmed by other observers, of many persons falling down dead suddenly, when struck with the contagion of the plague.”

Vide Remarks on the Gaseous Oxyd of Azote, by Samuel Latham Mitchill, M. D.

IV. _Detail of_ MR. SOUTHEY.

In breathing the nitrous oxide, I could not distinguish between the first feelings it occasioned and an apprehension of which I was unable to divest myself. My first definite sensation was a dizziness, a fulness in the head, such as to induce a fear of falling. This was momentary. When I took the bag from my mouth, I immediately laughed. The laugh was involuntary but highly pleasurable, accompanied by a thrill all through me; and a tingling in my toes and fingers, a sensation perfectly new and delightful. I felt a fulness in my chest afterwards; and during the remainder of the day, imagined that my taste and hearing were more than commonly quick. Certain I am that I felt myself more than usually strong and chearful.

In a second trial, by continuing the inhalation longer, I felt a thrill in my teeth; and breathing still longer the third time, became so full of strength as to be compelled to exercise my arms and feet.

Now after an interval of some months, during which my health has been materially impaired, the nitrous oxide produces an effect upon me totally different. Half the quantity affects me, and its operation is more violent; a slight laughter is first induced,[224] and a desire to continue the inhalation, which is counteracted by fear from the rapidity of respiration; indeed my breath becomes so short and quick, that I have no doubt but the quantity which I formerly breathed, would now destroy me. The sensation is not painful, neither is it in the slightest degree pleasurable.

ROBERT SOUTHEY.

[224] In the former experiments, Mr. Southey generally respired six quarts, now he is unable to consume two.

In an experiment made since this paper was drawn up, the effect was rather pleasurable.

V. _Letter from_ DR. ROGET.

The effect of the first inspirations of the nitrous oxide was that of making me vertiginous, and producing a tingling sensation in my hands and feet: as these feelings increased, I seemed to lose the sense of my own weight, and imagined I was sinking into the ground. I then felt a drowsiness gradually steal upon me, and a disinclination to motion; even the actions of inspiring and expiring were not performed without effort: and it also required some attention of mind to keep my nostrils closed with my fingers. I was gradually roused from this torpor by a kind of delirium, which came on so rapidly that the air-bag dropt from my hands. This sensation increased for about a minute after I had ceased to breathe, to a much greater degree than before, and I suddenly lost sight of all the objects around me, they being apparently obscured by clouds, in which were many luminous points, similar to what is often experienced on rising suddenly and stretching out the arms, after sitting long in one position.

I felt myself totally incapable of speaking, and for some time lost all consciousness of where I was, or who was near me. My whole frame felt as if violently agitated: I thought I panted violently: my heart seemed to palpitate, and every artery to throb with violence; I felt a singing in my ears; all the vital motions seemed to be irresistibly hurried on, as if their equilibrium had been destroyed, and every thing was running headlong into confusion. My ideas succeeded one another with extreme rapidity, thoughts rushed like a torrent through my mind, as if their velocity had been suddenly accelerated by the bursting of a barrier which had before retained them in their natural and equable course. This state of extreme hurry, agitation, and tumult, was but transient. Every unnatural sensation gradually subsided; and in about a quarter of an hour after I had ceased to breathe the gas, I was nearly in the same state in which I had been at the commencement of the experiment.

I cannot remember that I experienced the least pleasure from any of these sensations. I can however, easily conceive, that by frequent repetition I might reconcile myself to them, and possibly even receive pleasure from the same sensations which were then unpleasant.

I am sensible that the account I have been able to give of my feelings is very imperfect. For however calculated their violence and novelty were to leave a lasting impression on the memory, these circumstances were for that very reason unfavourable to accuracy of comparison with sensations already familiar.

The nature of the sensations themselves, which bore greater resemblance to a half delirious dream than to any distinct state of mind capable of being accurately remembered, contributes very much to increase the difficulty. And as it is above two months since I made the experiment, many of the minuter circumstances have probably escaped me.

I remain,
Yours, &c.

P. ROGET.
To MR. DAVY.

VI. _Letter from_ MR. JAMES THOMSON.

The first time I respired nitrous oxide, the experiment was made under a strong impression of fear, and the quantity I breathed not sufficient, as you informed me, to produce the usual effect. I did not note very accurately my sensations. I remember I experienced a slight degree of vertigo after the third or fourth inspiration; and breathed with increased vigor, my inspirations being much deeper and more vehement than ordinary. I was enabled the next time I made the experiment, to attend more accurately to my sensations, and you have the observations I made on them at the time.

After the fourth inspiration, I experienced the same increased action of the lungs, as in the former case. My inspirations became uncommonly full and strong, attended with a thrilling sensation about the chest, highly pleasurable, which increased to such a degree as to induce a fit of involuntary laughter, which I in vain endeavoured to repress. I felt a slight giddiness which lasted for a few moments only. My inspirations now became more vehement and frequent; and I inhaled the air with an avidity strongly indicative of the pleasure I received. That peculiar thrill which I had at first experienced at the chest, now pervaded my whole frame; and during the two or three last inspirations, was attended with a remarkable tingling in my fingers and toes. My feelings at this moment are not to be described: I felt a high, an extraordinary degree of pleasure, different from that produced by wine, being divested of all its gross accompaniments, and yet approaching nearer to it than to any other sensation I am acquainted with.

I am certain that my muscular strength was for a time much increased. My disposition to exert it was such as I could not repress, and the satisfaction I felt in any violent exertion of my legs and arms is hardly to be conceived. These vivid sensations were not of long duration; they diminished insensibly, and in little more than a quarter of an hour I could perceive no difference between the state I was then in, and that previous to the respiration of the air.

The observations I made on repeating the experiment, do not differ from the preceding, except in the circumstance of the involuntary laughter, which I never afterwards experienced, though I breathed the air several times; and in the following curious fact, which, as it was dependent on circumstances, did not always occur.

Having respired the same quantity of air as usual, and with precisely the same effects, I was surprised to find myself affected a few minutes afterwards with the recurrence of a pain in my back and knees, which I had experienced the preceding day from fatigue in walking. I was rather inclined to deem this an accidental coincidence than an effect of the air; but the same thing constantly occurring whenever I breathed the air, shortly after suffering pain either from fatigue, or any other accidental cause, left no doubt on my mind as to the accuracy of the observation.

I have now given you the substance of the notes I made whilst the impressions were strong on my mind. I cannot add any thing from recollection that will at all add to the accuracy of this account, or assist those who have not respired this air, in forming a clearer idea of its extraordinary effects. It is extremely difficult to convey to others by means of words, any idea of particular sensations, of which they have had no experience. It can only be done by making use of such terms as are expressive of sensations that resemble them, and in these our vocabulary is very defective. To be able at all to comprehend the effects of nitrous oxide, it is necessary to respire it, and after that, we must either invent new terms to express these new and particular sensations, or attach new ideas to old ones, before we can communicate intelligibly with each other on the operation of this extraordinary gas.

I am &c.
JAMES THOMSON.
_London, Sept. 21, 1799._

To MR. DAVY.

VII. _Detail of_ MR. COLERIDGE.

The first time I inspired the nitrous oxide, I felt an highly pleasurable sensation of warmth over my whole frame, resembling that which I remember once to have experienced after returning from a walk in the snow into a warm room. The only motion which I felt inclined to make, was that of laughing at those who were looking at me. My eyes felt distended, and towards the last, my heart beat as if it were leaping up and down. On removing the mouth-piece the whole sensation went off almost instantly.

The second time, I felt the same pleasurable sensation of warmth, but not I think, in quite so great a degree. I wished to know what effect it would have on my impressions; I fixed my eye on some trees in the distance, but I did not find any other effect except that they became dimmer and dimmer, and looked at last as if I had seen them through tears. My heart beat more violently than the first time. This was after a hearty dinner.

The third time I was more violently acted on than in the two former. Towards the last, I could not avoid, nor indeed felt any wish to avoid, beating the ground with my feet; and after the mouth-piece was removed, I remained for a few seconds motionless, in great extacy.

The fourth time was immediately after breakfast. The few first inspirations affected me so little that I thought Mr. Davy had given me atmospheric air: but soon felt the warmth beginning about my chest, and spreading upward and downward, so that I could feel its progress over my whole frame. My heart did not beat so violently; my sensations were highly pleasurable, not so intense or apparently local, but of more unmingled pleasure than I had ever before experienced.[225]

S. T. COLERIDGE.

[225] The doses in these experiments were from five to seven quarts.

VIII. _Detail of_ MR. WEDGWOOD.

July 23, I called on Mr. Davy at the Medical Institution, who asked me to breathe some of the nitrous oxide, to which I consented, being rather a sceptic as to its effects, never having seen any person affected. I first breathed about six quarts of air which proved to be only common atmospheric air, and which consequently produced no effect.

I then had 6 quarts of the oxide given me in a bag undiluted, and as soon as I had breathed three or four respirations, I felt myself affected and my respiration hurried, which effect increased rapidly until I became as it were entranced, when I threw the bag from me and kept breathing on furiously with an open mouth and holding my nose with my left hand, having no power to take it away though aware of the ridiculousness of my situation. Though apparently deprived of all voluntary motion, I was sensible of all that passed, and heard every thing that was said; but the most singular sensation I had, I feel it impossible accurately to describe. It was as if all the muscles of the body were put into a violent vibratory motion; I had a very strong inclination to make odd antic motions with my hands and feet. When the first strong sensations went off, I felt as if I were lighter than the atmosphere, and as if I was going to mount to the top of the room. I had a metallic taste left in my mouth, which soon went off.

Before I breathed the air, I felt a good deal fatigued from a very long ride I had had the day before, but after breathing, I lost all sense of fatigue.

IX. _Detail of_ MR. GEORGE BURNET.

I had never heard of the effects of the nitrous oxide, when I breathed six quarts of it. I felt a delicious tremor of nerve, which was rapidly propagated over the whole nervous system. As the action of inhaling proceeds, an irresistible _appetite_ to repeat it is excited. There is now a general swell of sensations, vivid, strong, and inconceivably pleasurable. They still become more vigorous and glowing till they are communicated to the brain, when an ardent flush overspreads the face. At this moment the tube inserted in the air-bag was taken from my mouth, or I must have fainted in extacy.

The operation being over, the strength and turbulence of my sensations subsided. To this succeeded a state of feeling uncommonly serene and tranquil. Every nerve being gently agitated with a lively enjoyment. It was natural to expect that the effect of this experiment, would eventually prove debilitating. So far from this I continued in a state of high excitement the remainder of the day after two o’clock, the time of the experiment, and experienced a flow of spirits not merely chearful, but unusually joyous.

GEORGE BURNET.

X. _Detail of_ MR. T. POPLE.

A disagreeable sensation as if breaking out into a profuse perspiration, tension of the tympanum, cheeks and forehead; almost total loss of muscular power; afterwards increased powers both of body and mind, very vivid sensations and highly pleasurable. Those pleasant feelings were not new, they were felt, but in a less degree, on ascending some high mountains in Glamorganshire.

On taking it the second time, there was a disagreeable feeling about the face. In a fewseconds, the feelings became pleasurable; all the faculties absorbed by the fine pleasing feelings of existence without consciousness; an involuntary burst of laughter.

THOMAS POPLE.

XI. _Detail of_ MR. HAMMICK.

Having never heard any thing of the mode of operation of nitrous oxide, I breathed gas in a silk bag for some time, and found no effects, but oppression of respiration. Afterwards Mr. Davy told me that I had been breathing atmospheric air.

In a second experiment made without knowing what gas was in the bag, I had not breathed half a minute, when from the extreme pleasure I felt, I unconciously removed the bag from my mouth; but when Mr. Davy offered to take it from me, I refused to let him have it, and said eagerly, “let me breathe it again, it is highly pleasant! it is the strongest stimulant I ever felt!“ I was cold when I began to respire, but had immediately a pleasant glow extending to my toes and fingers. I experienced from the air a pleasant taste which I can only call sweetly astringent; it continued for some time: the sense of exhilaration was lasting. This air Mr. Davy told me was nitrous oxide.

In another experiment, when I breathed a small dose of nitrous oxide, the effects were slight, and sometime afterwards I felt an unusual yawning and languor.

The last time that I breathed the gas, the feelings were the most pleasurable I ever experienced; my head appeared light, there was a great warmth in the back and a general unusual glow; the taste was distinguishable for some time as in the former experiment. My ideas were more vivid, and followed the natural order of association. I could not refrain from muscular action.

STEPHEN HAMMICK, Junr.
_Sept. 15th._

XII. _Detail of_ DR. BLAKE.

Dr. Blake inhaled about six quarts of the air, was affected during the process of respiring it with a slight degree of vertigo, which was almost immediately succeeded by a thrilling sensation extending even to the extremities, accompanied by a most happy state of mind and highly pleasurable ideas. He felt a great propensity to laugh, and his behaviour in some measure appeared ludicrous to those around him. Muscular power seemed agreeably increased, the pulse acquired strength and firmness, but its frequency was somewhat diminished. He perceived rather an unpleasant taste in the mouth and about the fauces for some hours afterwards, but in every other respect, his feelings were comfortable during the remainder of the day.

_December, 30th._
To MR. DAVY.

XIII. _Detail of_ MR. WANSEY.

I breathed the gas out of a silk bag, believing it to be nitrous oxide, and was much surprised to find that it produced no sensations. After the experiment, Mr. Davy told me it was common air.

I then breathed a mixture of common air and nitrous oxide. I felt a kind of intoxication in the middle of the experiment, and stopping to express this, destroyed any farther effects.

I now breathed pure nitrous oxide; the effect was gradual, and I at first experienced fulness in the head, and afterwards sensations so delightful, that I can compare them to no others, except those which I felt (being a lover of music) about five years since in Westminster Abbey, in some of the grand choruses in the Messiah, from the united powers of 700 instruments of music. I continued exhilarated throughout the day, slept at night remarkably sound, and experienced when I awoke in the morning, a recurrence of pleasing sensation.

In another experiment, the effects was still greater, the pulse was rendered fuller and quicker, I felt a sense of throbbing in the head with highly pleasurable thrillings all over the frame. The new feelings were at last so powerful as to absorb all perception. I distinguished during and after the experiment, a taste on the tongue, like that produced by the contact of zinc and silver.

HENRY WANSEY.

XIV. _Detail of_ MR. RICKMAN.

On inhaling about six quarts, the first altered feeling was a tingling in the elbows not unlike the effect of a slight electric shock. Soon afterwards, an involuntary and provoking dizziness as in drunkenness. Towards the close of the inhalation, this symptom decreased; though the nose was still involuntary held fast after the air-bag was removed. The dose was probably an undercharge, as no extraordinary sensation was felt more than half a minute after the inhalation.

J. RICKMAN.

XV. _Detail of_ MR. LOVELL EDGWORTH.

My first sensation was an universal and considerable tremor. I then perceived some giddiness in my head, and a violent dizziness in my sight; those sensations by degrees subsided, and I felt a great propensity to bite through the wooden mouth-piece, or the tube of the bag through which I inspired the air. After I had breathed all the air that was in the bag, I eagerly wished for more. I then felt a strong propensity to laugh, and did burst into a violent fit of laughter, and capered about the room without having the power of restraining myself. By degrees these feelings subsided, except the tremor which lasted for an hour after I had breathed the air, and I felt a weakness in my knees. The principal feeling through the whole of the time, or what I should call the characteristical part of the effect, was a total difficulty of restraining my feelings, both corporeal and mental, or in other words, not having any command of one’self.

XVI. _Detail of_ MR. G. BEDFORD.

I inhaled 6 quarts. Experienced a sensation of fulness in the extremities and in the face, with a desire and power of expansion of the lungs very pleasurable. Feelings similar to intoxication were produced, without being disagreeable. When the bag was taken away, an involuntary though agreeable laughter took place, and the extremities were warm.

In about a quarter of an hour after the above experiment, I inhaled 8 quarts. The warmth and fulness of the face and extremities were sooner produced during the inspiration. The candle and the persons about me, assumed the same appearances as took place during the effect produced by wine, and I could perceive no determinate outline. The desire and power to expand the lungs was increased beyond that in the former experiment, and the whole body and limbs seemed dilated without the sense of tension, it was as if the bulk was increased without any addition to the specific gravity of the body, which was highly pleasant. The provocation to laughter was not so great as in the former experiment, and when the bag was removed, the warmth almost suddenly gave place to a coldness of the extremities, particularly of the hands which were the first to become warm during the inspiration. A slight sensation of fulness not amounting to pain in the head, has continued for some minutes. After the first experiment, a sensation in the wrists and elbows took place, similar to that produced by the electric shock.

G. C. BEDFORD.
_March 30th, 1800._

XVII. _Detail of_ MISS RYLAND.

After having breathed five quarts of gas, I experienced for a short time a quickness and difficulty of breathing, which was succeeded by extreme languor, resembling fainting, without the very unpleasant sensation with which it is usually attended. It entirely deprived me of the power of speaking, but not of recollection, for I heard every thing that was said in the room during the time; and Mr. Davy’s remark “that my pulse was very quick and full.“ When the languor began to subside, it was succeeded by restlessness, accompanied by involuntary muscular motions. I was warmer than usual, and very sleepy for several hours.

XVIII. _Letter from_ MR. M. M. COATES.

I will, as you request, endeavour to describe to you the effect produced on me last Sunday fe’nnight by the nitrous oxide, and will at the same time tell you what was the previous state of my mind on the subject.

When I sat down to breathe the gas, I believed that it owed much of its effect to the predisposing agency of the imagination, and had no expectation of its sensible influence on myself. Having ignorantly breathed a bag of common air without any effect, my doubts then arose to positive unbelief.

After a few inspirations of the nitrous oxide, I felt a fulness in my head, which increased with each inhalation, until, experiencing symptoms which I thought indicated approaching fainting, I ceased to breathe it, and was then confirmed in my belief of its inability to produce in me any pleasurable sensation.

But after a few seconds, I felt an immoderate flow of spirits, and an irresistible propensity to violent laughter and dancing, which, being fully conscious of the violence of my feelings, and of their irrational exhibition, I made great but ineffectual efforts to restrain; this was my state for several minutes. During the rest of the day, I experienced a degree of hilarity altogether new to me. For six or seven days afterwards, I seemed to feel most exquisitely at every nerve, and was much indisposed to my sedentary pursuits; this acute sensibility has been gradually diminishing; but I still feel somewhat of the effects of this novel agent.

Your’s truly,
M. M. COATES.

To Mr. DAVY.
_June 11th, 1800._

DIVISION III.

_ABSTRACTS from ADDITIONAL DETAILS.—OBSERVATIONS
on the EFFECTS of NITROUS OXIDE, by Dr.
BEDDOES.—CONCLUSION._

I. _Abstracts from additional Details._

The trials related in the following abstracts, have been chiefly made since the publication of Dr. Beddoes’s Notice. Many of the individuals breathed the gas from pure curiosity. Others with a disbelief of its powers.

* * * * *

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.

To persons who have been unaccustomed to breathe through a tube, we have usually given common air till they have learnt to respire with accuracy: and in cases where the form of the mouth has prevented the lips from being accurately closed on the breathing tube, by the advice of Mr. Watt, we have used a tin plate conical mouth-piece fixed to the cheeks, and accurately adapted to the lips; by means of which precautions, all our later trials have been perfectly conclusive.

II. _Of the effects of Nitrous Oxide upon persons inclined to hysterical and nervous affections._

The case of Miss—— N. and other cases, detailed by Dr. Beddoes in his Notice, seemed to prove that the action of nitrous oxide was capable of producing hysterical and nervous affections in delicate and irritable constitutions.

On this subject, we have lately acquired additional facts.

Miss E. a young lady who had been subject to hysteric fits, breathed three quarts of nitrous oxide mingled with much common air, and felt no effects but a slight tendency to fainting. She then breathed four quarts of pure nitrous oxide: her first inspirations were deep, her last very feeble. At the end she dropt the bag from her lips, and continued for some moments motionless. Her pulse which at the beginning of the experiment was strong, appeared to me to be at this time, quicker and weaker. She soon began to move her hands and talked for some minutes incoherently, as if ignorant of what had passed. In less than a quarter of an hour, she had recovered, but could give no account of her sensations. A certain degree of languor continued through the day.

A young lady who never had hysterical attacks, wished to breathe the gas. I informed her of the disagreeable effects it had sometimes produced, and advised her if she had the slightest tendency to nervous affection, not to make the trial. She persisted in her resolution.

To ascertain the influence of imagination, I first gave her a bag of common air, which she declared produced no effect. I then ordered for her a quart of nitrous oxide mingled with two quarts of common air; but from the mistake of the person who prepared it, three quarts of nitrous oxide were administered with one of common air. She breathed this for near a minute, and after the experiment, described her sensations as unpleasant, and said she felt at the moment as if she was dying. The unpleasant feelings quickly went off, and a few minutes after, she had apparently recovered her former state of mind. In the course of the day, however, a violent head-ache came on, and in the evening after she had taken a medicine which operated violently, hysterical affections were produced, followed by great debility. They occasionally returned for many days, and the continued weak and debilitated for a great length of time.

Mrs. S. a delicate lady, liable to nervous affections who had heard of the cases just detailed, chose to breathe the gas. By three quarts she was thrown into a trance, which lasted for three or four minutes. On recovering, the could give no account of her feelings, and had some languor for half an hour afterwards.

These phænomena have rendered us cautious in administering the gas to delicate females. In a few instances however, it has been taken by persons of this class, and even by those inclined to hysterical and nervous complaints with pleasurable effects.

Miss L. a young lady who had formerly had hysterical fits, breathed a quart of nitrous oxide with three quarts of common air without effects. Two quarts of nitrous oxide with one of common air produced a slight giddiness; four quarts of nitrous oxide produced a fit of immoderate laughter, which was succeeded by slight exhilaration, her spirits were good throughout the day, and no depression followed.

Miss B. Y—— and Miss S. Y—— both delicate but healthy young ladies, were affected very pleasantly; each by three quarts of nitrous oxide, the first time of respiring it. Miss B Y—— continued exhilarated and in high spirits for some hours after the dose. Miss S. Y—— had a slight head-ache, which did not go off for some hours.

Mrs. F. inclined to be hysterical, breathed four quarts of nitrous oxide mingled with common air. She was giddy and described her feelings as odd; but had not the slightest languor after the experiment.

III. _Observations on the effects of Nitrous Oxide, by_ DR. BEDDOES.

Neither my notes nor my recollection supply much in addition to what I formerly stated in the _Notice of Observations at the Pneumatic Institution_. _Longman._ The gas maintains its first character as well in its effects on me, as in the benefit it confers on some of the paralytic, and the injury it does or threatens to the hysterical and the exquisitely sensible. I find that five or six quarts operate as powerfully as ever. I seem to make a given quantity go farther by holding my breath so that the gas may be absorbed in a great degree without returning into the bag, and therefore, be as little heated before inspiration as possible.—This may be fancy.

After innumerable trials, I have never once felt lassitude or depression[226]. Most commonly I am sensible of a grateful glow _circum præcordia_. This has continued for hours.—In two or three instances only has inhalation failed to be followed by pleasurable feeling, it has never been followed by the contrary. On a few occasions before the gas was exhausted, I have found it impossible to continue breathing.

[226] Of the facts on which Brown founded his law of indirect debility, no prudent man will lose sight either in practising or studying medicine. They are incontrovertible.—And our new facts may doubtless be conciliated to the Brunonian doctrine.

But to suppose that the expenditure of a quality or a substance or a spirit, and its renewal or accumulation are the general principles of animal phænomena, seems to me a grievous and baneful error. I believe it often happens that excitement and excitability increase, and that they oftener decrease together;—In short, without generalizing in a manner, of which Brown and similar theorists had no conception, our notions of the living world will in my opinion, continue to be as confused as the elements are said to have been in chaos. On some future occasion, I may presume to point out the region through which I imagine the path to wind, that will lead the observers of some distant generation to a point, whence they may enjoy a view of the subtle, busy and intricate movements of the organic creation as clear as Newton obtained of the movements of the heavenly masses.

The pulse at first becomes fuller and stronger. Whenever, after exposure to a cold wind, the warmth of the room has created a glow in the cheeks, the gas has increased this to strong flushing—which common air breathed in the same way, failed to do.

Several times I have found that a cut which had ceased to be painful has smarted afresh, and on taking two doses in succession, the smarting ceased in the interval and returned during the second respiration. I had no previous expectation of the first smarting.

The only time I was near rendering myself insensible to present objects by very carefully breathing several doses in quick succession, I forcibly exclaimed, TONES!—In fact, besides a general thrilling, there seemed to be quick and strong alterations in the degree of illumination of all surrounding objects; and I felt as if composed of finely vibrating strings. On this occasion, the skin seemed in a state of constriction and the lips glued to the mouth-piece, and the mucous membrane of the lungs contracted, but not painfully. However, no constriction or corrugation of the skin could be seen. I am conscious of having made a great number of observations while breathing, which I could never recover.

Immediately afterwards I have often caught myself walking with a hurried step and busy in soliloquy. The condition of general sensation being as while hearing chearful music, or after good news, or a moderate quantity of wine.

Mr. John Cave, Junr. and his three friends, as well as others, compared the effects to Champagne. Most persons have had the idea of the effect of fermented liquors excited by the gas. It were to be wished that we had, for a standard of comparison, observations on the effect of these liquors as diversified and as accurate as we have obtained concerning the gas; nor would more uniformity in the action of these substances be observed if the enquiry were strictly pursued. Opium and spirits seem, in particular states to sicken and distress in the first instance; how differently does wine at an early hour and fasting act upon those who are accustomed to take it only after dinner!

I thought it might be an amusing spectacle to see the different tints of blood flowing from a wound by a leech in consequence of breathing different airs. The purple from the nitrous oxide was very evident. Oxygene, we thought, occasioned a quicker flow and brighter color in the blood. In another experiment, an inflamed area round the puncture from a leech applied the day before, was judged by several spectators to become much more crimson on the respiration of about 20 quarts of oxygene gas, which possibly acts more powerfully on inflamed parts.[227] These and many similar experiments, require to be repeated on the blood of single arteries opened in warm and cold animals.

[227] After writing this, I was present when an invalid, in whose foot the gout, after much wandering, had at last fixed, breathed 12 quarts of oxygene gas. While breathing, he eagerly pointed to the inflamed leg; and afterwards said he had felt in it a new sensation, somewhat like tension.—I never had seen oxygene respired where there was so much local inflammation.

June 18. After four quarts of oxygene with 6 of nitrous oxide and then 6 of nitrous oxide alone, violent itching of the wounds made by the leech; and redness and tumour.—Both had healed, and I did not expect to feel any thing more from them.—I tried this again with two doses of nitrous oxide—The yellow halo round one wound changed to crimson, and there was so much stinging and swelling that I feared suppuration.—Absorption here was rapid.

It has appeared to me that I could hold my breath uncommonly long when respiring oxygene gas mixed with nitrous oxide. While trying this to-day, (17th June), I thought the sense of smell much more acute after the nitrous oxide than before I began to respire at all; and then I felt conscious that this increased acuteness had before repeatedly occurred—a fact very capable, I apprehend, of a pneumatological interpretation.

Time by my feelings has always appeared longer than by a watch.

I thought of trying to observe whether while I alternately breathed quantities of nitrous oxide and oxygene gas and common air, I could observe any difference in the operation of a blister beginning to bite the skin. It would be of consequence to ascertain the effect of regulating by compression the flow of blood, while stimulants of various kinds (and heated bodies among the rest) were applied to or near the extremities—because in erisipelas and various inflammatory affections, a ready and pleasant cure might be effected by partial compression of the arteries going to the diseased part; and a great improvement in practice thus obtained.

But I should run into an endless digression, were I to enumerate possible physiological experiments with artificial airs, or to speculate on the mechanical improvement of medicine, which at present as far as mechanical means of affecting the living system are concerned, is with us in a state that would almost disgrace a nation of savages.

IV. CONCLUSION.