Thus prepared, he proceeded to examine the action of nitrous oxide upon living beings, and to compare it with the effects of other gases upon man; and in this manner he completed its physiological, as he had already done its chemical history.
These interesting results were published in a distinct volume, in the year 1800, entitled, "Researches Chemical and Philosophical, chiefly concerning Nitrous Oxide, and its Respiration. By Humphry Davy, Superintendent of the Medical Institution."
It may be observed in passing, that the merits of this work could never have been inferred from the title-page, which its most sanguine admirers must admit to be as clumsy and unpromising an invitation as an author ever addressed to his scientific brethren.
Amongst Davy's letters to Mr. Gilbert, I find one written on a proof sheet of the chapter of contents of the above work, and which may not be uninteresting in this place.
TO DAVIES GIDDY, ESQ.
July 3, 1800.
That our feelings, as well as our actions, are rendered stronger and more vivid by habit, is probable from many facts, and from no one more so than that of procrastination. My much respected friend, two months after my return,[26] I had formed the resolution of writing to you; week after week this resolution was renewed and put off to a future day, with the hope that this day, by presenting something new, would enable me to make my letter more interesting. In vain! the feeling of procrastination, thus increased by association, at length became so strong as to prevent me from writing at all.[27]
I have received your letter; it has awakened my duties, and has been doubly welcome, as being unexpected and undeserved.
Since my return to the Pneumatic Institution in December, I have been almost incessantly occupied, from January to April, in completing a series of experiments on Gases, and their application; and from April to the present time, in writing and printing an account of them.
I have written this letter on the table of contents of a work which will be published in the course of the month, and of which I shall take the earliest opportunity to send you a copy. This table of contents will give you a better idea of the nature and extent of the investigation, than I could possibly have given in a letter.