XIV CONTENTS. 



Nervous Fibrils of the Eye and of the Ear. Composition of 

 the Brain ; four-fifths of it consist of Water. The Brain an 

 Electric Organ. An Acid Fluid exhaled by the Skin, while 

 the Mucous Membrane is bathed with an Alkaline Fluid. 

 The Animal Frame thus placed between a great Acid and a 

 great Alkaline Envelope. Circulation in the Arteries. 

 Violent Muscular Contractions. Periodic Molecular Move- 

 ment. Voluntary Motions. Automatic Motions. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

 DEATH, OR CESSATION OF ORGANIC ACTION .... 226 



Cessation of the Continuity of circulating Electric Currents is 

 the Suspension of Vitality, denoted Death. The Influence of 

 the Emotions, Volitions, and Passions in exciting Electric 

 Action. A Blow on the Head excites stunning Electric 

 Action, like a small Lightning Bolt. Poisons counteract the 

 regular Circulation of the Currents ; as do also powerful 

 Chemical Agents. The Molecules of Hydrogen in the Blood 

 may unite with the Molecules of Oxygen and form Water. 

 The black Carbon thus left free. Analogous Conditions at- 

 tending the Yellow Fever. The Bile and Blood resolved 

 into Water and Carbon, or Charcoal. This manifested by 

 the "black-vomit," peculiar to the Disease. Organic Decom- 

 positions. Miasma, or Malaria, is probably free Nitrogen 

 from decomposing Animal and Vegetable Organisms. Its 

 Inhalation into the Lungs facilitates the Combination of the 

 Molecules of Oxygen and Hydrogen in the Blood, or its De- 

 composition, called Blood-poisoning. When the Vital Elec- 

 tric Currents cease, the Organic Molecules are restored to 

 their normal Condition of Carbonic-Acid Gas and Water. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



EQUILIBRIUM AND PERIODICITY OF AXIAL AND ORBITAL 

 REVOLUTIONS ................ 232 



Circulation of Electric Currents about Inorganic Bodies. 

 Compensating Movements. Kepler's Laws. Elliptical Orbit 

 of the Earth ; how it may be caused. Experiments of Mayer 

 and Barlow. Influence of Terrestrial, Magnetic, and Dia- 

 magnetic Currents Ampere's Experiment. Movements of 

 the Gyroscope analogous to those of the Earth. Space about 

 Molecules. Molecules Electro-Magnets. Movements of 

 Tornadoes. Electric Chain of the Universe. 



