Outlines of a J^teuf of Gal-vanlfm. ^39 



of the produftion of mufcular contraftion by common gal- 

 vanifm, and the dcpendance of irritabihty, and even life, 

 upon the oxygenation of the blood, afibrd analogies which 

 fender it probable that fome phainomena fimilar to the gal- 

 vanic phoenomena may be conncrted with mufcular aiition 

 and other proceffes of life. Thefe analogies, however, at 

 prefent are very indiitin6l ; and they ouglu to be confidered 

 of importance only fo far as they are likely to lead to the dil- 

 covery of new inltruments of experimental invelligation, 



Conclujion. 



The relations of galvanifm to the different branches of 

 phyfical fciertce are too numerous and too extenfive to be 

 connefted w'ith the preceding details ; and, although in their 

 infancy, they will probably long conllitute favourite fubje61:3 

 of invediffation amongft philofophers, becoming the fources 

 of uleful difcoveries. 



The new galvanic fa6ls have given an importance to the 

 fcience fufiScient to render it intereftin<r, and to enfure its 

 progrefiion. The fpirit of inquiry is awakened in the public 

 mind, and it is difficult to imagine the exitlence of caufes 

 (Capable of deftroving it, 



Galvanifm may be purfued with greater facility than mod 

 of the other fciences ; it requires lefs time and attention ; it 

 is lefs conneiled with manual labour, and the molt delicate 

 organs are the bell fitted for performing and obferving its 

 operations. 



The inftruments required for galvanic experiments are few, 

 and but little expenfive. A battery eompofed of fifty phites, 

 when arranged with chemical agents, forms a combination 

 fufficiently powerful for common experiments. With fuch 

 a combination, a few glafs tubes having gold wires attached 

 to them, and a gold leaf elcdrometer, may inveltigations be 

 purfued, and principles difcovered, extending not alone to 

 the laws of dead matter, but even to thole of animated nature. 



If, to render gulvanilm a popular ftudvj it were necellary 

 to prove that it bore relations to the common wants of life, 

 it might be ftated, that its agencies are likely, at fome period, 

 to become ufeful in the arts. When our galvanic inliru- 

 ments are rendered more perfeft and more powerful, wc may 

 be readily enabled, bv means of them, to procure the pure 

 metals ; and to form immediately from their elements, ni- 

 trous acid and alkali. The conneilion of galvanifm with 

 philolophical medicine is evident. The electrical influence 

 in its common form, as excited by machines, lias been em- 

 ployed with advantage in the cure of difeafes j in a new ftatc 



Y z of 



