176 1'llYSIOLOGY 01-' SEKVKsf AND MUSCLES. 



CHAPTER X. 



1. Diverting arches j 2. Current-curves and tension-curves ; 3. Di- 



verting cylindi-rs; 4. Method of measuring tension diflVivi 



liV 



1. If the two ends of a bent wire urc applied, in 

 tin- way described in the last chapter, to any conductor 

 \vhich is traversed by currents, then part of the currents 

 present in the conductor may flow through this win-. 

 Part of the curr.ent is, as it were, conducted out of tin- 

 body in order to facilitate its examination. I'nder 

 certain circumstances this may cause an alteration in 

 the conditions of the currents within the conductor. 

 \\'e will, however, assume that tin's is not the case, 

 but that the tensions at the point > at which the wire 

 is applied to the conductor are not altered. 1 The 

 direction and strength of the current which arises in 

 the conductor will then depend only on the differences 

 in tension at the point of contact , and mi the resistance 

 ofVcivd by the wire. 



A wire of this sort applied to a conductor liaversed 

 by currents is called a <// mi i n</ <i rcjt ; the end-; of the 

 \\ire with which it touches the body to be examined 

 are called \\n-firf uf tin- nrrli; and the distance be- 

 tween these feet is called ih dixfit IH'I' of tension. 



1 I';, i ririMiiii-i'ainvs umli-r wlfii-h tin- i-xc ]>( imx nc.'iir 



>l:iiin -i I IICTI- ; \ d ma 1 t'-rs may In- BO aMMii^fl I !iat such 



ti. n- rl 



