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]
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.