The Delphic Oracle: A Multidisciplinary Defense of the Gaseous Vent Theory

Ancient historical references consistently describe an intoxicating gas, produced by a cavern in the ground, as the source of the power at the oracle of Delphi. These ancient writings are supported by a series of associated geological findings. Chemical analysis of the spring waters and travertine deposits at the site show these gases to be the light hydrocarbon gases methane, ethane, and ethylene. The effects of inhaling ethylene, a major anesthetic gas in the mid-20th century, are similar to those described in the ancient writings. We believe the probable cause of the trancelike state of the Priestess (the Pythia) at the oracle of Delphi during her mantic sessions was produced by inhaling ethylene gas or a mixture of ethylene and ethane from a naturally occurring vent of geological origin.

[1]  H. H. Borgstedt,et al.  The Uptake and Distribution of Four Inhalation Anesthetics in Dogs , 1972, Anesthesiology.

[2]  R. Dripps,et al.  Introduction to Anesthesia , 1991 .

[3]  L. Nye.  POTATO DIET IN PEPTIC ULCER , 1943 .

[4]  I. C. Herb.  THE PRESENT STATUS OF ETHYLENE , 1933 .

[5]  E. Eger,et al.  MAC Expanded: AD50 and AD95 Values of Common Inhalation Anesthetics in Man , 1975, Anesthesiology.

[6]  E. McGarvey,et al.  Adolescent inhalant abuse: environments of use. , 1999, The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse.

[7]  J. D. Boer,et al.  The geological origins of the oracle at Delphi, Greece , 2000, Geological Society, London, Special Publications.

[8]  H. Spiller,et al.  Epidemiology of inhalant abuse reported to two regional poison centers. , 1997, Journal of toxicology. Clinical toxicology.

[9]  A. Kampmeier,et al.  The Chasm at Delphi. , 1913 .

[10]  W. Mushin.  Introduction to Anesthesia , 1968 .

[11]  A. Mclean.  Toxicity and Metabolism of Industrial Solvents , 1966 .

[12]  J. Chanton,et al.  New evidence for the geological origins of the ancient Delphic oracle (Greece) , 2001 .

[13]  K. Chow,et al.  Autoradiographic Distribution of Volatile Anesthetics within the Brain , 1972, Anesthesiology.

[14]  T. Noguchi,et al.  The epidemiology of fatal burn injuries. , 1989, Journal of forensic sciences.

[15]  S. Ngai.  Explosive agents-are they needed? , 1975, The Surgical clinics of North America.

[16]  H. H. Borgstedt,et al.  Uptake and Distribution of Inhalation Anesthetic Agents in Clinical Practice , 1968, Anesthesia and analgesia.

[17]  W. Guthrie.  The Delphic Oracle , 1952, The Classical Review.

[18]  J. Bourne.  Uptake, elimination and potency of the inhalational anæsthetics * , 1964, Anaesthesia.

[19]  J. B. Carter,et al.  THE PHYSIOLOGIC EFFECTS OF ETHYLENE: A NEW GAS ANESTHETIC , 1923 .

[20]  I. C. Herb.  Ethylene: Notes Taken from the Clinical Records.* , 1923 .

[21]  L. Meyer,et al.  Deaths from volatile substance abuse in those under 18 years: results from a national epidemiological study. , 1993, Archives of disease in childhood.

[22]  A. G. Macdonald.  A short history of fires and explosions caused by anaesthetic agents. , 1994, British journal of anaesthesia.