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Observations on nitrous oxide in the treatment of palsy by Dr Thomas Beddoes (1799) – Psychiatry in history

Matthew Butler, Mike Jay, Timothy R. Nicholson

The British Journal of Psychiatry October 23, 2026 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2026.10575 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Peer reviewed

Abstract

In 1772, Joseph Priestley, natural philosopher and erstwhile teacher at the dissenting Warrington Academy, synthesised nitrous oxide, which he called 'dephlogisticated nitrous air'.