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.