April: Humphry Davy Tests Nitrous Oxide

On 17th April 1799, Humphry Davy performed an experiment to test the effects of breathing in nitrous oxide.  Davy continued his experiments in this manner between May and July of the same year.

His observations of the effects of this gas are detailed in his book 'Researches, chemical and philosophical, chiefly concerning nitrous oxide, or dephlogisticated nitrous air, and its respiration' published in 1800 and which the RSC has a copy of in the library's historical collection.

Below are two of Davy's observations of the effects of nitrous oxide:

 "The objects around me became dazzling and my hearing more acute. Towards the last inspirations, the thrilling increased, the sense of muscular power became greater."

"appears capable of destroying physical pain"

Nitrous oxide was widely used from the 19th Century as a means to sedate patients during dental and surgical procedures.  However, it is now  regarded as one of the major greenhouse gases and its use has been supplanted by alternative methods. 

This image of Humphry Davy is from the RSC library's image collection.

For further information on Humphry Davy and nitrous oxide, please see the links below: