38 Mr. H. F. Baxter on the manifestation of Current Force 



living animal was attended with the manifestation of current 

 force, we were naturally led to suppose that the kindred actions, 

 such as lacteal absorption and nutrition, might also he accom- 

 panied with the manifestation of the same power : the solution 

 of this question is the object of the present paper. 



To avoid unnecessary repetition, we shall refer to our second 

 paper* for the purpose of showing the mode in which the expe- 

 riments were conducted; in that paper also will be found the 

 precautions necessary to be observed, and some experimental 

 arguments for the purpose of meeting certain objections that 

 might be raised to those experiments, and as they are applicable 

 on the present occasion we need only refer to them. We may 

 just add, that our object is not merely to ascertain under what 

 circumstances an effect might be produced upon the needle of 

 the galvanometer when the electrodes are brought into contact 

 with different parts of the living body, but to point out the con- 

 nexion between certain organic actions in the living animal and 

 the consequent effect upon the needle f. 



§ 1. On the manifestation of Current Force during Lacteal 

 Absorption, 



Experiments. 



Exp. 1. Cat. — Prussic acid dropped on the nose, four hoiu-s 

 after a meal of bread and milk, having fasted fourteen hours 

 previous. 



One electrode in contact with the mucous membrane of the 

 middle portion of the small intestine, the other in contact with 

 the chyle flowing from the same part; the ch-^\& positive %° , and 

 made to increase by making and breaking contact at the mer- 

 curial cups. 



Another portion of the intestines was tried with similar results. 



The lacteals contained a milk-white fluid. We may just 

 remark, that similar results were obtained when the mucous 

 membrane and the blood flowing from the same part were formed 

 into a circuit, as shown in our former series of experiments. 



* Phil. Trans. 1852. 



t The prejudices which exist in reference to electro-physiological pursuits 

 are somewhat surprising. We reniember being assailed with the following 

 remark : — if you place one electrode in contact with the axilla, and the 

 other in contact with the mouth, you may obtain an effect upon the needle, 

 and consequently these results prove nothing. It may scarcely be credited 

 that the following objections have been urged : — the time has not yet arrived 

 for the prosecution of these inquiries ; physioloffisfs have no business to 

 use the galvanometer ; it is necessary in these researches to use a delicate 

 galvanometer. Me should not have noticed these objections, had they not 

 been made in influential quarters. 



