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.