Have You Ever Tried "Laughing Gas?"
By Alice Henry
@IreneVincent (15960)
United States
February 23, 2017 2:07pm CST
At some parties in the 1800s, it was a common pastime, used for entertainment and fun, to breathe in “laughing gas.” Nitrous oxide is the scientific name for it.
In 1844, however, a dentist in Connecticut named Horace Wells, tried it himself and discovered that he could pull a tooth painlessly. Today, it is still used for that purpose, so thanks goes out to Mr. Wells.
Someone else we can thank, is Walter Alcock, an Englishman, who invented perforated toilet paper on a roll in 1879. I had no idea that toilet paper has been around that long. Did you?
8 people like this
8 responses
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
25 Feb 17
Yes, it must have been like getting drunk. It's still used today, but I have no idea where anyone purchases it. Not that I want to.
@shaggin (74987)
• United States
25 Feb 17
@IreneVincent I would think it would be illegal to purchase it in the US without a doctor's order for use in hospitals etc.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
24 Feb 17
Laughing gas has probably helped many enjoy their trip to the dentist! Guessing only the rich had t p in those days.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
25 Feb 17
@IreneVincent Most of us need something to help us get through those visits.
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
25 Feb 17
I, for one, hate to go to the dentist. It seems like a good solution to me.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (209105)
• United States
23 Feb 17
I never have but it sounds hysterical!!! lol
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (38848)
• Philippines
24 Feb 17
Haven't tried laughing gas. Maybe it's really fun to experience
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
25 Feb 17
It seems to be popular at parties.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (98072)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Feb 17
Never tried laughing gas and interesting about the toilet paper.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
25 Feb 17
I enjoy digging up these odd facts. There is so much that I don't know and so I read all the time.
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15504)
• United Kingdom
24 Feb 17
I used to sell it and made quite a bit of money at clubs and festivals.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
25 Feb 17
Really? Very interesting! Where did you get it to sell?
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
25 Feb 17
Yes, toilet paper, as we know it today, has been around much longer than I thought.
@RichardMeister (5328)
• Otis Orchards, Washington
14 Mar 17
I had "laughing gas" given to me by a dentist once. I did not like it at all. So never again.
