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To Obtain Nitrogen

Atmospheric air may be made to yield an unlimited supply of nitrogen, by exposing it to the ac- It forms saline compounds with the alkalies, tion of substances which combine with its and the earths termed HYDROSULPHATES Or oxygen. By burning a small piece of phos- IHYDROSULPHURETS, and it precipitates metallic phorus, placed on a capsule floating on the sulphurets from solutions of most of the met- water in a pneumatic trough, under a large als; hence its value as a test. Air containing bell-glass, and allowing it to stand over the * of sulphuretted hydrogen will sensibly water a few hours, nearly pure nitrogen is obblacken a piece of white paper, moistened with a solution of acetate of lead. Sulphuretted hydrogen is the active ingredient in the sulphurous mineral waters. tained, which may be further purified by agitating it with solution of pure potassa. It may be dried by passing it through concentrated oil of vitriol. Nitrogen may be evolved by passing chlorine gas into a solution of pure ammonia, and drying, as before, through sulphuric acid.

Another plan, well recommended, is to heat bichromate of ammonia in a retort.

The evolved nitrogen is deprived of all aqucous vapor by sulphuric acid as above, or by letting it stand over fused chloride of calcium. 4053. To Obtain Sulphuretted Hydrogen. Mix together 2 parts of iron filings with 1 of sulphur into a thin pap with water, and heat it gently in an iron vessel. Combination takes place with the evolution of heat forming sulphuret of iron. Cover it till cold. On this compound, contained in a glass bottle, or other suitable apparatus, pour sulphuric acid previously diluted with 7 parts of water. If more acid be afterwards required, 4060. Protoxide of Nitrogen. This dilute the strong acid with only 4 of water. gas is also called nitrous oxide, and is largely The resulting gas is absorbed by water, and used by inhalation, under the name of laughis therefore collected, in preference, over ing gas, to produce insensibility to pain. It mercury. This is the plan commonly adopted is colorless, possesses an agreeable odor, and in the laboratory.

To obtain it pure, mix 1 part finely powdered tersulphuret of antimony, and 5 parts a sweetish taste. At 45° Fahr., and under a pressure of 50 atmospheres, it is liquid. Its specific gravity is 1.5241; it supports combus- GAS. tion, and is absorbed by water. Its most re- properties, preparation, and application to the markable property is its action on the system arts, will be found in Nos. 3864, &c. when inspired. A few deep inspirations are 4067. Ammonia. A highly pungent usually succeeded by a pleasing state of ex- gas formed by the union of 1 equivalent of citement, and a strong propensity to laughter nitrogen with three of hydrogen. Its specific and muscular exertion, which soon subside, gravity is.589. (Sec Nos. 3981, &c.) Double without being followed by languor or depres- salts of ammonia are sometimes called AMsion. Its effects, however, vary with different MONIURETS. Thus, sulphate or nitrate of copconstitutions.