Nitrous oxide; its properties, method of administration and effects.

  • Guilford, Simeon Hayden, 1841-1919.
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Nitrous oxide; its properties, method of administration and effects. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    action, and the production'of a condition in the sys- tem closely related to asphyxia. The change in the color of the blood during the administration of the gas, as shown in the lips, eye- lids and face, shows conclusively, they say, that the oxidation of the blood has been interrupted or inter- fered with. The first theory had many supporters in the ear- lier days, but they rapidly fell away when it was shown to be incorrect. It was based upon the be- lief that nitrous oxide was a supporter of combus- tion at normal temperature, which proved to be a fallacy. It doubtless would be a supporter of com- bustion if it were a mere mixture readily separable ; but, being a chemical compound, with properties peculiar to itself, and not resolvable into its original elements except at a high heat, it could not support combustion by virtue of the amount of oxygen it contained. Dr. Thomas W. Evans, of Paris, writing upon this subject, says : * “ The fact that nitrous oxide contains a greater proportion of oxygen than atmos- pheric air is no evidence, even a priori, that it pos- sesses a greater oxygenating activity. The deut- oxide of nitrogen is, as compared with nitrous oxide, doubly rich in oxygen ; but it is not only immediately fatal to animal life, but is even incapable of supporting combustion. The physical properties of nitrous *Dental Cosmos, Vol. XL, p. 286.