eat propensity to sleep.

"To ascertain with certainty whether the more extensive action of
nitrous oxide compatible with life was capable of producing debility, I
resolved to breathe the gas for such a time, and in such quantities,
as to produce excitement equal in duration and superior in intensity to
that occasioned by high intoxication from opium or alcohol.

"To habituate myself to the excitement, and to carry it on gradually,
on December 26th I was enclosed in an air-tight breathing-box, of the
capacity of about nine and one-half cubic feet, in the presence of Dr.
Kinglake. After I had taken a situation in which I could by means of a
curved thermometer inserted under the arm, and a stop-watch, ascertain
the alterations in my pulse and animal heat, twenty quarts of nitrous
oxide were thrown into the box.

"For three minutes I experienced no alteration in my sensations, though
immediately after the introduction of the nitrous oxide the smell and
taste of it were very evident. In four minutes I began to feel a slight
glow in the cheeks and a generally diffused warmth over the chest,
though the temperature of the box was not quite 50 degrees.... In
twenty-five minutes the animal heat was 100 degrees, pulse 124. In
thirty minutes twenty quarts more of gas were introduced.

"My sensations were now pleasant; I had a generally diffused warmth
without the slightest moisture of the skin, a sense of exhilaration
similar to that produced by a small dose of wine, and a disposition to
muscular motion and to merriment.

"In three-quarters of an hour the pulse was 104 and the animal heat not
99.5 degrees, the temperature of the chamber 64 degrees. The pleasurable
feelings continued to increase, the pulse became fuller and slower, till
in about an hour it was 88, when the animal heat was 99 degrees. Twenty
quarts more of air were admitted. I had now a great disposition to
laugh, luminous points seemed frequently to pass before my eyes, my
hearing was certainly more acute, and I felt a pleasant lightness and
power of exertion in my muscles. In a short time the symptoms became
stationary; breathing was rather oppressed, and on account of the great
desire for action rest was painful.

"I now came out of the box, having been in precisely an hour and a
quarter. The moment after I began to respire twenty quarts of unmingled
nitrous oxide. A thrilling extending from the chest to the extremities
was almost immediately produced. I fe