II. On the percentage of argon in atmospheric and in respired air

Abstract

Although blood invariably contains a small amount of dissolved nitrogen, it appears that with animals no absorption of that gas takes place save what is due to its solubility in the serum of the blood. Nor is nitrogen eliminated from the system in the elementary state. At Professor Ramsay’s suggestion, experiments have been made on the comparative amount of argon in ordinary air, and in air which had been frequently breathed, with the view of ascertaining whether, if the proportion of oxygen and carbon dioxide in air be very much altered, argon would either enter into, or be expelled from, the respiratory system.