1815.] Remarks on the Phenomena of Galvanism, 43 



heated red-hot and torn asunder merely by the wires from the bat- 

 tery beuig in contrary electrical states, without imparting any active 

 matter to the wire, which must be the case if we do not admit the 

 existence and circulation of the galvanic fluid or fluids. 



Several other difficulties might be mentioned that must attend 

 this electrical view of the science; hut as the chief object ot this 

 communication is the introduction of views which appear more con- 

 sistent with the general phenomena of galvanism, and not the refu- 

 tation of previous opinions, it will not be necessary to dwell on any 

 other particulars. When we impartially reflect on the many im- 

 portant facts offered for our consideration by the present adv;inced 

 stale of galvanism, and observe the great degree of ingenuity dis- 

 played in the application of various theories to account for the 

 numerous galvanic phenomena, we must feel disappointed at the 

 little theoretic satisfaction that has been obtained from the know- 

 ledge of so many interesting facts, and the united efforts of so much 

 ingenious labour, and be led to infer that the chief cause of this 

 disappointment has been the adoption of principles that are incom- 

 patible with the physical operations of Nature. 



The speculations of the celebrated Franklin, perhaps, unfortu- 

 nately gave too specious a facility to his electrical illustrations, as 

 they appeared to explain in a tolerable manner all the electric facts 

 that were known at the period he lived , but they ascribed laws of 

 action to the electric matter that involved the subject in complete 

 mystery ; for results, that seemed to open an extensive field for 

 inquiry, were illustrated by principles that were beyond the limits 

 of iiunian comprehension, and in a great measure superseded the 

 necessity of an experimental investigation. After a view of these 

 difficulties, our attention is naturally invited lo the increasing pro- 

 bability that these galvanic agents have characters and qualities less 

 mysterious than has been generally imagini. d, and that their prin- 

 ciples of action are uniformly consistent with the general laws of 

 matter. Although it is evident, from our present imperfect know- 

 ledge of galvanism, that every hypothesis must be incomplete, still 

 there seems to be a number of well-known facts that are worthy of 

 particular attention ; and if an opinion is formed, having a judicious 

 reference to these circumstances, it may hasten the developement 

 of that chain of experimental results, on which a correct and com- 

 plete system of galvanism will be ultimately established. By atten- 

 tively considering the action of the voltaic battery, I have been 

 induced to suppose that two galvanic fluids are generated during the 

 process, consisting of a large portion of caloric, and two distinct 

 and highly attenuated bases, that partake of an oxygenous and 

 hydrogenous nature ; and in this communication I shall endeavour 

 to |K)itit out the reasons that led to this supjwbition, hoping fhey will 

 stimulate some other |)erson to extend the investigation agreeably to 

 this view of the subject. In pursuing this investigation, our illus- 

 tration must in a great measure depend on deductions drawn from 

 various analogies ; and as these remarks have a particular allusion to 

 Vol. V. N= VI. 2 E 



