Sir Humphry Davy^ Bart, l87 



the sensation imparted by this animal was similar to 

 common electricity — that iodine was precipitated by its 

 agency — and that its effect on the galvanometer and on steel 

 in the spiral was similar to that of common electricity.* 



On the 31st October, he proceeded to Rome, where he 

 arrived on the 18th November. Here he remained for 

 several months in much the same state, till on the 20th 

 February, he was seized with the severe attack which ulti- 

 mately proved fatal. " That morning he felt better than 

 usual, his pulse about 68, the tongue clean ; the ordinary 

 functions of the body well performed. After breakfast he 

 had sat some time dictatingan addition to the sixth dialogue. 

 When he had finished it he attempted to rise to go into his 

 bed-room, which was adjoining, but found that he could 

 not stand, and that he had lost all power over his limbs, 

 without pain of head or vertigo or loss of power of intellect, 

 accompanied merely by a feeling of sickness of stomach. 

 Medical aid was immediately had ; leeches were applied to 

 the head as if the brain had been affected ; and a lowering 

 (or as it is called antiphlogistic) plan of treatment was 

 pursued, but with no good effect. He spent the night very 

 restlessly, and the following morning the right side was 

 quite powerless and the stomach much deranged." He 

 now gave up all hopes of recovery, and wrote to his brother 

 at Malta to come and see him before his death. Dr. Davy 

 arrived at Rome on the 16th March. The account of his 

 feelings, on this occasion, are highly affecting. " I shall 

 not attempt to describe my feelings on receiving his last 

 letter, making known to me the illness of a brother who 

 had acted the part of a father to me; whom I regarded as a 

 brother, a teacher, and most kind friend ; and to whom I 

 necessarily owe very much of what I most valued in life. 

 My anxiety naturally increased the nearer I came to Rome. 

 In vain I sought for fresh letters and additional information 

 at Naples. When I entered Rome I knew not where to 

 find him ; for his address in that city was not sent. I in 

 vain went from one hotel to another, making inquiries, 

 without being able to hear any thing of him. I fortunately 

 recollected that his friend Morichini was a physician, and a 

 resident in Rome. He was easily found, and presently I 



* Records, vol. i. 306. 



