New-York tribune., 1870-01-08
and protection. which was like the shadow Of
great rock in q weary land. G. @.
THE AIR AND RESPIRATION.

before the American Institute was delivered last hgV
in the large hall Of the Cooper Union by Prof D. q
Draper of the City College. The room was well hlled'
and the lecturer frequently applauded by his
audience particularly the younger portion thereof who'
In addition to being demOnstratiyely grateful for the M
srucuon impaired, were most boisterousy licked WIN
the numerous experiments with when the lec'
ture was illustrated. The evolution OF smoke
and vapor and fro from what seemed nothing
TO their eyes was greeted with shouts OF
appreciation; explosions met with their most I'M
bounded appause and even when Intellectual fires paled
at contact with noxous gases their satisfaction was a
dbly expressed. When the lecturer exhibited at mo-
ments notice the intensely brilliant light produced by
the OF phosphorus and oxygen. the young folks
gave vent to the very heartest outburss OF admaon
but when the odOOus vapor began to invade their lungs
and nostrs they coughed for two minutes as II their
hearts would break And so did the old folks. Prof
Draper spoke as follows:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: We have met this evening to
discuss subject OF vital Importance to the living crea-
ture. In whatever light may view it, we can do but
very imperfect justice TO suggestive theme IN one
lecture but since time is iuexorable master in this
in all other things only remains for us TO accomplish
what may in the brief allotted space OF single hour
Atmospheric air bears hreefold relation to respiration.
for may consider their connection from mechanical
chemical physiological standpoint 1t is more espe-
ciay the second and third Of these that call your
attention tonight since they have practical value hat IS
sefevdent. In past times this impalpSbe. Invisible
gaseous enveloper OF earth was regarded as an
elementary body but more exact methods Of research
have demonstrated that 1t is not simple, but very com.
poste containing two classes Of ugre derts lst those
which do vary in their relative proportions to each
other and the whole mass; 3D. those which are so
variable that the proportions change with every sue
ceeding hour, and We might almost say, with every
succeeding moment
To placc these compOnents in the clearest light, we
have arranged them 10 tabular form glance at when
will chow how rapidly we must proceed 10 perform
ToSass-Cir5or I Ammonia, carsoue orI,; y,por owser
Ozone suphurcei hydrogen Nitric Acid Copnsce' and '''
NITROGEN GAS.
To understand the character Of this composite amo
OF the properties Of the prominent constituents neees
sary In pursuance of this plan, your attention Is called
nitrogen gas as yo9 perceive Is GSoI5 ase ana and d
sUen s1en. "ya9 Won would nmd it devoid Of both
IT, however possesses properties OF interest IN s rea
first of these introduce few candle flames into the at
mOsphere Of nitrogen As they are instantly eN
OF tie action that a few seconds ago was so vivid
and beautiful II instead of the candle flame
the vital fame that anmaes II, giving the powers OF
motion, sensation and WILL is also extinguished, and like
oXYGEN
From nitrogen let us turn TO the second Of the inva
dncron substance and though we look at the oxygen IN
yonder Jar 81 is not ysDlly dstngulshaRIe nom the
odorless, and astelcss. We find that IL acts in very
10 its influence. See how brilliant they become they
dip into and drink mp the vital air as 1t has been apty
away even the candles that only bore sparks
crowned with brilliant flames, Could any acton CON
trast more thoroughly with that We witnessed few
moments agO That annlnated the hame' THIS yla!zes
them.
difference the chemical action of these two
n does NOT afford as lust an estimate OF the power Of oxy
oT r, he abtai;ed from tbe Illustrations 10 which
your attention called sulphur as all who have
fgncd ucfer match know burns with feeble pale
blue flame but how It acts ~ the atmosphere OF Oxy
gen. How great the increase in the rapdty OF eobus-
ton How beautiful the lght watch the heated pro
ducts Of combustion as they rise TO the top OF the jar TO
seek an outlet, and afford illustration of the means
to which we must If desire TO remove the foul
gases from apartment aud yenlilae II successfully
The last illustration Of the properties OF oxygen mat
we shall introduce Is me DurhnH oi PuspnoIs III ni
gas This is justly described as one OF the most brilliant
oIs Win nisHi & i t a., ot t, %. sitf tbo co,,sJe
pure oAySeh IN Ie I'm HiT yt !" i,I6 @ W. ntnse % that nmS
may well attempt 10 gaze on the MONDAY sun as on
the jar in which phosphorus is burning in oxygen Hay
ing described the constituents that are always present in
the same proportions in the air whether be taken from
the sealed Of Herculaneum or from the atEoS-
rhere as II now is remains that should demonstrate
that these gases are actually present.
less gas called the deutoxIde of nitrogen and raising it
from the water in which IT ls resting allow AR to now m
The gas instantly united with H. brown flames are pro
duced which converted into acid that unites with
the water, we may show by the addition of ltto
blue ltmus which IS instantly turned red Examining
the gas that remains in the jar we hnd that 1T cannot
which are already acquainted Turning
from this brief review Of the properties Of
moment the advantages gained by tile mixture OF
these two bodies Either gas alone is incompetent 70
daily life. Existence IN an atmosphere OF nitrogen IS
impossible, and though might live III pure
oxygen air we should be confined diet of meats
and grain, for would be impossible 70 use hTe n me
Ss employed would be consumed IN the fierce heat that
oxygen generates and IT, as many think mans nature s
beyond the lowest savages on our globe
OXYGEN IN THE HUMAN SYSTEM
By means Of suitable and ingenousyc me
chanca contryances which we cannot now stop to de-
brought into contact with the blood
through these organs The oxygen IS absorbed by the
OF the system TO assist IN carrying on
the processes Of life While these cells are laden with
but when the oxygen is lost their brilliant tint dsap
pears they assume dark hue, and are returned TO the
lungs 20 receive another portion OF oxygen Thus. time
after time. these ndefagdDe little laD0Iers Dear their
burden OF e sIypg @ eas W 10 hc e Tvce and dyps in m
performance Of their duty finally pass away to give room
generations OF discs that nave ARISEN auu usuIpel
Though oxygen is thus continually introduced into the
system in considerable quantities carefully conducted
! exnerjments have shown that only small OF
nitrogen are absorbed and eShalcd and these are 50 in
significant that they are generally ignored We may
therefore, say that the chief use Of the nitrogen TO
dilute the oxygen, and We reduce the strength Of
fiery alcoholic liquid by the addition OF water so the
combustion supporting power OF oxygen IS reduced By
niUgng it with dluting nitrogen, aud an air Of mild
aud suitable properties formed,
From the invarabe pass to the variable components
Though these are small in quantity they are very I'M
portant, carbonc acid and carbonic oxide occupying
prominent position TO the fret OF these your attention
Is now directed. Again find tat the subject OF our
examination Is cOOiless gas. as is eydeGccq Dy inc jar
of carbonlc acid before you. IL looks IKE either
oxygen nitrogen. but If taste and smell IT, We tnd
that il affects both these Senses possessing pungen
agreeable taste. and OdOr Of like patuTe Testing IL
by the flame the latter eIngushed the gas acting IN
this respect like nitrogen. Dnt dierng IRON lh tat s
so heavy that IL may DO poured from one vessel Into
another, where It's presence may be shown by flame
Another test for the presence 0f carbonic acid is lime
| water to which 1t mpars milky appearance, as Is de-
mOnstrated y passing Of the through the col
/ Oress lime water contained in the vase.
If we Investigate the action Of carDOuic acid on living