I>reyenti6n of dakaqe by lightning. 305 



flaccidity of it denote disorder T have observed also, that with health 

 small doses of mercury liave changed, the appearance of the j^Jeiciuv «ion 

 'Ihaif very soon aftertheir admiuistrotion. Froiti being flaccid, restores the 

 dry, and small, it has becouie tense, stroma, and moister; ^^^^'^^^ ^?* 

 at the same time mode tension and solidity has appeared in 

 the muscles, and the countenance has displayed a more 

 healthy appearance. Now mercury may increase an aeri- 

 form perspiration, (if such a oneey.ist) into the shaft ; it n^ay 

 also set thedii^estive organs to rights, thereby cause a more 

 healthy action of the vessels in general, and of those of the 

 shaft among the rest. I cannot help observingi that there is 

 no objection to supposing hairs organized, because we can- Organization 

 eannot discover their vessels. On this subject we may, I Jendrmubh* 

 think, be allowed to reason thus: If all nourishment be farthenhan is 

 performed by the action of vessels, either vascularity must p^^^J^^^ ''"^" 

 extend itself rtc? in/?wi/«m, or there must be certain small 

 vessels not nourished at all. Can we demonstrate those 

 •mall arteries, which ramify iti the coats of and nourish the 

 smallest vasa vasorvm} Such considerations as these 

 ought to prevent our denying organization to any part of aa 

 animal body, even to the cuticle and the enamel of the teeth. 

 I fihall be much obliged to any of your correspondents, 

 who may have notic^ any connection between the varieties 

 in the appearance of the hair and any peculiarities in the 

 state of the body, &c., to communicate them in your scien* 

 tificjournal; and I remain, Sir, 



Your constant reader, 



THOMAS FORSTER. 



XIV. 



On the Prevention of Damage by Lightning. In a Z^ettet 



from Mr. B. Cook. 



To Mr. NICHOLSON. 



MY DEAR SIR, 



A HAVE read with much concern almost ev^y week for Annual <!i^ 

 some time past accounts of some damage of one kind or other ^^.^^ ^one'itt 

 done to buildings, trees, and cattle, or in the loss of lives by iigntninff/^ 

 Vol. XXIX,— August, 181 1. X lightning; 



