ABSTRACT
Although the quotation was written al most a century ago (1), there are many an esthetists who agree with this statement. Nitrous oxide (N20) remains a commonly used clinical agent, with its advantages in cluding a lack of odor and lack of airway irritation, a low solubility in blood that per mits a rapid induction and emergence from anesthesia, provision of analgesia, and min imal depression of respiration and circula tion. However, the safe administration of N20 requires a knowledge of its unique physicochemical properties, and under cer tain conditions, the use of N20 may be harmful.
