116 ON THE ACTION OP GALVANISM. 



contrary, if the complaint proceeds from vitiated humours, or 

 from a diluted virus being contained in them, then electricity, 

 either by evaporating the diluting humour, or by caufing a 

 greater change, will be hurtful. Hence it is evident, that 

 electricity and galvanifm ought to be ufed with the greateft 

 circumfpeclion, and that the nature of the diforder, as well as 

 of thefe fluids, mult be confidered, before it can be decided, 

 whether the application is proper or not. It muft alfo be ob- 

 ferved that this remedy, on account of its activity, like all 

 other remedies, however good they may be, becomes dan- 

 gerous when abufed. 

 Anlnftanceof I might bring many inflances of injury occafioned by the 

 ImprLenTap^ mifapplication of electricity, even in cafes where a lhort time 

 plication of gal- before it had been indicated. But I (hall only produce one 

 vanifin. ca f e re i a tj ve i galvanifm. A young female had been cured 



of pains in the mufcles of her face by galvanifm ; but after the 

 cure, in confequence of continuing the application (he did 

 herfelf harm, which increafed by the galvanifation, and did 

 not ceafe until fhe left herfelf intirely to the powers of nature, 

 affifted by nourifhing food. The patient, who is not capable 

 of forming an opinion on the ftate of his health, muft therefore 

 confult an able phyfician, one who does not defpife nature and 

 new discoveries. By this caution he will never be hurt by the 

 application of ele&ricity or galvanifm, which as Boerhaave 

 fays (Elem. Chemicc, pars. 3. procerus 198.) of another very 

 active remedy: mire praftat in multis incurabilibus : at prude ti- 

 ter dprudenti medico, abjiine fi metfwdum nefcis. 



IX. 



Account of two Mufquets of peculiar Confiruclion for the Purpofe 

 of quick firing. — W. N. 



Two mufquets JL HE two pieces are the property of the Rt. Hon. the Earl 



belonging to the f Warwick , who has permitted me to examine and defcribe 



ear. of War- r 



wick. them : both have the name Wm. Martindale, Londini, in gold 



upon the barrel, and the falhion of mounting them is little dif- 

 ferent from that at prefent ufed. This name might perhaps 

 fix the time of their fabrication near ;y, if the regifters of the 

 Armourer's Company, or other fimilar books were to be con- 

 futed. 



