nitrous (nitrus)

does. Nitrous oxid gas, N2O, a combination of nitrogen and oxygen, formerly called the dephlogisticated nitrous gas. Under ordinary conditions of temperature and pre ure this substance is gaseous; it has a sweet taste and a faint agreeable odor. When inhaled it produces unconsciousne and insensibility to pain; hence it is used as an anesthetic during short surgical operations. When it is breathed diluted with air an exhilarating or intoxicating effect is produced, under the influence of which the nitrous inhaler is irresistibly impelled to do all kinds of silly and extravagant acts; hence the old name of laughing -gas. Also called nitrogen monoxid. - Spirit of nitrous ether, an alcoholic solution of ethyl nitrite containing about 5 per cent. of the crude ether. It is diaphoretic, diuretic, and antispasmodic. Also called sweet spirit of niter.