60 Influence of Atmospheric Electricity 



the rest, is the great mystery still hanging over electrical 

 science ; the solution of which would not merely determine 

 these particular questions, but probably, in its connexion with 

 the general doctrine of polarity, enlarge our whole view of the 

 attraction and combinations of matter, whether in atoms or 

 masses, throughout the universe. 



What has been thus far said regards chiefly the influence of 

 electrical states of the atmosphere on the sensations and mus- 

 cular powers. Unless justified in considering as such the oc- 

 casional effects of lightning on the body, I know no express ex- 

 ample of disease which we can affirm to be produced by this 

 agency. Some authors, indeed, have attributed to it certain 

 epidemics of singular character, and not easily referrible to any 

 known cause. But in this opinion they have hardly defined, 

 whether it is to be considered as directly producing the dis- 

 ease, or merely a state of body predisposing to receive it ; leav- 

 ing open still the third contingency of its simply evolving from 

 other sources the virus or material cause of disease. I have 

 elsewhere shewn that it is difficult, if not impossible, to con- 

 nect these erratic disorders with any state of weather or known 

 quality of the atmosphere ; and the reasons derived from their 

 history, apply as distinctly to electricity as to any other pro- 

 perty of the element which surrounds us. We must, however, 

 admit the possibility, both as to these and other disorders, of 

 the two latter contingencies just stated. Electricity may be 

 concerned in favouring the generation of malaria, whatever its 

 nature ; or it may induce a state of body more liable to be af- 

 fected by this, or by other causes of disease in activity at the 

 time. We have no proofs on w hich even to approach towards 

 assurance, but presumption from several sources that this great 

 agent cannot be wholly inert as respects either of the condi- 

 tions in question. 



Though unable then to affirm any one disease to be actually 

 produced by electricity, yet, considering the subject in its whole 

 extent, it is impossible not to see the likelihood of its influence 

 on the body in many ways hitherto undistinguished, or not un- 

 derstood. If a stroke of lightning can in an instant destroy 

 muscular irritability throughout the system, — prevent, in great 

 part, or altogether, the coagulation of the blood, — and hasten 



