A desire to complete physiological investigations relating to nitrous oxide, has hitherto prevented me from pursuing to a greater extent, the experiments on the combination of this substance with the alkalies, &c. As soon as an opportunity occurs, I purpose to resume the subject.
The observations detailed in the foregoing sections are sufficient to show that nitrous oxide is capable of entering into intimate union with the fixed alkalies: and as the compounds formed by this union are insoluble in alcohol, decomposable by the acids, and heat, and possessed of peculiar properties, they ought to be considered as a new class of saline substances.
If it is thought proper, on a farther investigation of their properties, to signify them by specific names, they may, according to the usually adopted fashion of nomenclature, be called nitroxis: thus the nitroxi of potash would signify the salt formed by the combination of nitrous oxide with potash.
Future experiments must determine the different affinities of nitrous oxide for the alkalies, and alkaline earths.
With regard to the uses of these new compounds it is difficult to form a guess. When they are obtained pure, and fully saturated with nitrous oxide, on account of the low temperature at which their gas is liberated, they will probably constitute detonating compounds. From their facility of decomposition by the weaker acids, they may possibly be used medicinally, if ever the evolution of nitrous oxide in the stomach should be found beneficial in diseases.
XII. The properties of Nitrous Oxide resemble those of Acids.
If we were inclined to generalise, and to place nitrous oxide among a known class of bodies, its properties would certainly induce us to consider it as more analogous to the acids than to any other substances; for it is capable of uniting with water and the alkalies, and is insoluble in most of the acids. It differs, however, from the stronger acids, in not possessing the sour taste,[165] and the power of reddening vegetable blues: and from both the stronger and weaker acids, in not being combinable when in a perfectly free state, at common temperatures, with the alkalies. If it should be proved by future experiments, that condensation by cold gave it the capability of immediately forming neutro-saline compounds with the alkalies; it ought to be considered as the weakest of the acids. Till those experiments are made, its extraordinary chemical and physiological properties are sufficient to induce us to consider it as a body sui generis.
It is a singular fact that nitrous gas, which contains in its composition a quantity of oxygene so much greater than nitrous oxide, should nevertheless possess no acid properties. It is uncombinable with alkalies, very little soluble in water, and absorbable by the acids.
DIVISION II.
On the DECOMPOSITION of NITROUS OXIDE by COMBUSTIBLE BODIES. Its ANALYSIS. OBSERVATIONS on the different combinations of OXYGENE and NITROGENE.