Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-12-05
VOL Yllo

upon the system, which in many respects
resemble those of intoxication The fol-
owing account given by Mr.. Tobin Of bis
breathing this gas, will serve to give gen
9ral idea Of its peculiar properties. It IS
quoted from Sir I'll. Davys Researches on
Chemical Philosophy "On the 10th OF
April, breathed four quarts from and into
a silk bag. The pleasant feelings produc-
ed at first, urged me to continue the IN
spiration with great eagerness These feel
ings, however, went off towards the end Of I
the experiment, and no other effects FOL |.
iemDd. The gss he'd probably been breafs--ll
as it would not support flame
/ then proposed to Mr. Davy to inhale the
air by the mouth from one bag, and expire
it from the nose into another. This meth
5d was pursued with less than three quarts,
but the effects were SO powerful as to oblige
me to take in little common air OCCASION
ally. ] soon found my nervous system agi-
tated by the highest sensations of pleasure,
which are difficult Of description; my mus
cular powers were very much increased,
and / went on breathing with great yehe-
mence, not from difficulty of inspiration,
but from m eager ayidity 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 voc.ferating with pleasure,
| made towards those that were present,
as | wished they should participate in my
feelings. | struck gently at Mr.. Davy,
and stranger entering the room at the
moment, made towards him and gave him
several blows, but in the spirit of good hui
mort than rat rer anger. then ran through
different rooms in the house, and at last
returned to the laboratory somewhat more
composed. My spirits continued much ele-
waited for some hours after the experiment,
and | felt no consequent depression either
in the evening or the day following, but
slept as soundly as usual"
And here let me advise all not to breathe
this gas, except from the hands of skill
/ full operator, as in nine cases out of ten it is
impure; and even when pure, it cannot be
breathed with impunity, especially by those
who are liable to a determination of blood
to the head. Faraday has succeeded in
obtaining this gas in the liquid form, by
subjecting it to q pressure of 80 atmos-
pheres (750lbs on the square inch) at the
temperature Of 45o. This gas is, therefore,
not permanently elastic Natterer con-
densed it into the liquid state by the use
of pumps only, and Faraday has lately sue
ceeded in solidifying it at temperature OF
sii51y1- byi1w &C. Nitrous 3xIt'~ IS a i5>tPYer-
. ,,,,lor.
stances If lighted taper be introduced
into q jar containing this gas, its fame be-
comes much augmented and surrounded
| by Il purplish halo
We now proceed to the investigation Of
the second compound mentioned, namely,
nitric oxide, or as it is also called, 6jnocjde
Qfaiirogea. This gas was first procured
by Mayow, but it is Priestly to whom we
are indebted for the first accurate descrip-
ton Of its properties. 1t is usually pre-
pared by acting upon certain metallic sub
stances with nitric acid: these abstract q
portion Of that acids oxygen, leaving the
remaining elements in such proportions as
to constitute the gas in question. This is
most easily accomplished by putting a few
copper filings or clippings into a gas bottle
with diluted nitric acid; action immedlately
eusucs, red fumes are produced, and there
is a copious evolution of the gas, which
may be collected and preserved over water
Nitric oxide is instantly recognized by tht
red fumes which it produces when brough
into contact with air. 1t is colorless
uncondcnsible gas; its specific gravity /
- 1,O4i6, and at the temperature Of 320, l0'
D cubic inches weigh 34l543 1t is instant
: ly fatal to animals, and is therefore unres
e. pirable. The mostacharacteristic propert,
b Of nitric oxide, by which it is immediatel
7 distinguished from all other gases, is tha
5 Of forming red fumes of hyponitrous acid
when brought in contact with the atmos
phere or mixed with oxygen; and this
z the test by means of which we determin
$ the presence of this substance
+ The next compound which comes unde
+ our view is nitric acid, or as it is called 0
+ Continental Europe, azotic acid. Th
c composition of this acid was first demon
stratcd by Cavindish in 1885 He pr
$ duced it by passing electric sparks throug
|, mixture Of parts by volume Of oxygel
y and 8 Of nitrogen; but at the present da,
1 this acid is usually obtained by the dist
d lation of purified nitre or saltpeter wit
e sulphuric acid. The proportions Of the
J. materials used in the large scale are ge
It orally IL lbs nitre and Sc of sulphur
1t acid, which yield from 80 to 50 lbs of L
d tric acid. The nitric acid of commerce
p always more or less impure, and hydrochlo
Of ic, sulphuric and nitrous acids, as well
a the alkaline sulphates and chlorides, m;
C. generally be found in it. The create
I'd density at which nitric acid can be obtai
p- ed is l52, in which state, or even whC
I'd much weaker, it powerfully corrodes ;
D. animal, vegetable and most metallic bodit
rs Diluted nitric acid is applied with ma
us precautions to silk and wooden stufs,
Il, stain them of a bright yellow hue. N
NJ Deville has succeeded in isolating ami
u drous nitric acid, for description Of viii
Is interesting and peculiar substance, | rel
It's all interested to Ures Dictionary of Ar
i'll &c. When nitric acid is mixed with sno
is the latter is suddenly hquifed and inter
ne cold is produced This acid acts emerge
nc cally upon the greater number of organ
id bodies, and mutual decompositions ensV
Use As proof of this statement if
lis drachm Of turpentine be mixed with hall
ra- drachm of sulphuric acid, and then will
lie drachm of nitric acid the mixture will i
ms mediately burst into fame. And nov
ire am about to make statement which hi
giY -. IL 4 -u..rx ill d;sh,l;o1o tbot 10 Al