1835.] Improvements in Science. 101 



floor, and in endeavouring to rise, perceived that she had 

 lost the use of her legs, and that all sensation had disap- 

 peared in that part of her body. Marianini was called in on 

 the 25th of June, after several able physicians had failed in 

 doing her any good. He began the treatment with a voltaic 

 pile, composed of 58 plates of copper, and as many of zinc. 

 Each pair was separated from the succeeding by a piece 

 of cloth immersed in salt water. A slip of lead leading 

 from the positive pole surrounded the upper part of the 

 limb, and a similar slip, leading from the negative pole, 

 was connected with a plate of tin placed between the instep 

 and the toes when a shock was to be given. 150 shocks 

 were first given to one of the limbs, and then an equal 

 number to the other, then to both simultaneously 300 

 shocks. Between each shock an interval of two seconds 

 was observed, and a rest for three minutes after 40 or 50 

 shocks. Sometimes the electric fluid was communicated 

 for the sake of variety, in a current, in a circuit, or by a 

 needle point, which communicated a pricking pain to the 

 patient. This treatment was continued for an hour, and 

 was,repeated on the 26th, 27th, and 28th of June. On the 

 29th the number of plates was increased to 75. The sensa- 

 tion experienced was so disagreeable that a wet towel was 

 wrapped round the limb. This lasted till the end of July. 

 He substituted an apparatus with a circuit of 100 vessels. 

 (couronnes de cent tasses.) The net superficies of the plates 

 was three square centimetres, and the liquid conductor was 

 sea water. 



The number of shocks during the day was 800. Until 

 the 6th of July the Countess felt no signs of improvement, 

 that is 12 days after having commenced the treatment. On 

 the 9th, she could perceive, by touching it, that her foot 

 was in contact with a moist body. On the 13th, the elec- 

 trification by puncture caused great pain, although only 

 made with five pair of plates. On the 15th, the patient 

 could put her foot to the ground, but with fatigue. On the 

 22d she was electrified for the last time, and walked without 

 being fatigued. 



Marianini reports the cases of six other persons of various 

 ages whom he had treated in a similar manner successfully. 

 Some of these had previously been bled with leeches, and their 

 spines stimulated by sinapisms. It must be added, however, 



