摘要：SIR Humphrv Davy (1778-1829) is remembered today as an important pioneer in science (fig. 1). His work on nitrous oxide (2, 3) led him to suggest its possible anesthetic qualities almost 50 years previous to its actual use as an anesthetic agent. His invention of the safety lamp (4) for coal miners, for which he refused to apply for a patent, saved innumerable lives and promoted the coal industry. His researches in chemistry (5) led him to anticipate the hydrogen theory of acids. He also was responsible for the adoption in England of H20 as the chemical formula of water. His interest in agriculture (6) led Davy to make important analyses of soils, which led to their improvement.
