119 Wnts on the Subject of Animal Secretions^ 



minutes, the positive wire became covered with a film of 

 albumen, and in fifteen minutes a filament of about a quar- 

 ter of an inch in length was seen floating in the fluid_, and 

 adhering to the same wire. 



Experiment V. 6lh of May, 1 8O9. 

 Two small plalina cups, connected by a large quantity' 

 of cotton well washed, and each containing one ounce of 

 jterum, were rendered positive and negative, by thirty double 

 three-inch plates very weakly charged. The process was 

 continued during twenty-four hours. This power had not 

 been sufficient to produce coagulation at the negative pole. 

 On examining the fluid in the negative cup, it was found 

 to consist principally of an alkaline solution of albumen. 



The fluid in the positive cup was rather turbid, it red- 

 <ilened litmus, and was slightly acid to the taste. On stand- 

 ing, it deposited a few flakes of albumen. When evapo- 

 lirated, it afforded saline matter, with excess of acid, (super 

 ";6alts.) 



By these experiments it is ascertained, that a low nega- 

 tive power of electricity separates from the serum of the 

 blooQ an alkaline solution of albumen; that a low positive 

 power separates albumen with acid, and the salts of the 

 blood. That with one degree of power, albumen is sepa- 

 rated in a solid form 3 with a less degree, it is separated in 

 a fluid form. 



From these facts, the following queries are proposed : 



1st. That such decomposition of the blood by electricity, 

 may be as near alfi approach to secretion as could be expected 

 to be produced by the artificial means at present in our power. 



2d. That a weaker power of electricity, than any that 

 can be readily kept up by art, may be capable of separating 

 from the blood, the different parts of which it is composed, 

 and forming new combinations of the parts so separated. 



3d. That the structure of the nerves may fit them to have 

 a low electrical power, which can be employed for that 

 purpose; and as such lo^' powers are not influenced by im- 

 perfect conductors, as animal fluids, the nerves will not be 

 robbed of their electricity by the surrounding parts. 



4th. That the discovery of an electrical power, which 

 can separate albumen from the blood in a fluid state, and 

 another that separates it in a solid state, may explain the 

 mode in which different animal solids and fluids may be 

 produced, since, according to Mr. Hatchett*s experiments, 

 albumen is the principal material of which animal bodies 

 gfe composed, 



5th. That 



