xiv SYNOPSIS 



PAGE 



Chapter VIII. — Testing in Vacuo - - 105 



Apparatus designed for taking galvanometric tests of 

 various objects and substances in vacuo, illustrated and 

 described. Diagram of the connections. Trouble- 

 some apparatus but yielded interesting results. Theory 

 that the currents observed from animal and vegetable 

 skins, from mucous membranes and excised muscle and 

 nerve, as well as from vegetables and fruits removed 

 from their natural environment due to air charge. Air 

 of normal potential and sign versus air altered in 

 potential and sign by animal bodies. Dr. Waller on 

 blaze-cvirrents. Evidence that he is mistaken. Pro- 

 fessor Bose disagrees with him. I fail to agree with 

 either. Not at all new in electro-physiology. My 

 experiments show that when the object or substance 

 under examination is " earthed " in vacuo currents 

 disappear. Polarisation of electrodes. Nature of the 

 contacts altering. Diffusion and effect upon readings. 

 Precautions to be taken in making these tests. Tabu- 

 lated statement of results. Blaze-currents said to be a 

 manifestation of purely physical phenomena. 

 Difference between suspended animation in the seed 

 and plant and electrical death. 



FURTHER STUDIES IN ELECTRO-PHYSIOLOGY 

 The Auditory Apparatus - - - 119 



Theoretical basis. The external and middle ear and 

 the labyrinth, illustrated and described. The peri- 

 lymph and endolymph. Their purpose and function. 

 Direct working telephone, illustrated and described. 

 Closed circuits of the auditory nerves. Speculative 

 diagram. The telephone. Purpose of the induction 

 coil. The microphone. Nature of the vibrations. 

 Middle ear not a microphone in an electrical sense. 

 Vibrations mechanical to fenestra ovalis. Blood supply 

 to the base of the cochlea. Perilymph and endolymph - 

 in sectional area. The scalae tympani and vestibuli. 

 Neuro-electrical potential of the perilymph and 

 endolymph. Equilibrium between them. Conforma- 

 tion of the cochlea. Induction and intensification. 

 Vertical section through the middle of the cochlea. 

 The membrane of Reissner and its function. Vibrations 

 pass from the endolymph to the organ of Corti. The 



