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.