^4(J LAWS OF GALVANISM. 



necefTary to conftitute them gafes, is evident from the oxigen, 

 if' an oxidable metal be employed at the poiitive end, enters 

 ing into combination with the metal, inftead of being difen- 

 gaged in an aeriform ftate. 



Water is a conductor of ele6lricity ; its capacity for this 

 principle being in proportion to its condufling powers. When 

 converted into vapour, its conducing powers are increafed, 

 and fo alfo in the fame proportion its capacity, as is evident 

 from water, when undergoing this change, abftrading elec- 

 tricity from furrounding bodies. 



When a particle of water is refolved into its elementary 

 portions, a change takes place in their capacities for eleflri- 

 city, caloric, &c. at the very nafcent inftant. Oxigen we 

 know, from other experiments, has its capacity for eledricity 

 increafed, and muft acquire this principle before it can afTume 

 a gafeous form. This acquifition/ will be effected with the 

 greateft readinefs in the dire6tion towards the pofitive wire ; 

 while the hydrogen particle having its capacity diminiflied, 

 will be fimilarly determined towards the negative wire. 



For a future Journal I will trouble you with fome experi- 

 ments relative to this change of capacity. I am anxious firft 

 to perufe Mr. Gough's intended paper, from whofe philofo- 

 phical abilities much may be expeded. 



Having extended this paper to a greater length than I at 



firft expeded, I ftiall defer, till another opportunity, a reply 



to Mr. Cuthbertfon's obfervations, and flatter myfelf 1 fhalf 



be enabled to clearly point out the error into which Mr. C. 



has fallen. 



Cure of rheu- Although your Journal may not be deemed the proper me- 



matifmand djum for any medical communications, as I have lately wit- 



palfy by galvan- , ■' . . 



ifm. nefled the very powerful efFedts of galvanifm m rheumatic and 



paralytic afFe6tions. Whatever may prove of benefit to man- 

 kind will, I am perfuaded, be readily admitted into your 

 valuable Work. 



I am. Dear Sir, 



Your's, with the greateft refped, 



C. WILKINSON, 



Surgeon, 19, Soho Square, 



London. 



Remark 



