Galvanism , from Galvani to Okm. 71 



impulse, whether produced by attraction or any other force, is 

 different or unlike, both in regard to the different metals and to 

 the different moist conductors ; so that the direction, or at least 

 the power, with which the electric fluid is impelled or excited, is 

 different when the conductor A is applied to the conductor B, or 

 to another C. In a perfect circle of conductors, where either 

 one of the second class is placed between two different from each 

 other of the first class, or, contrariwise, one of the first class is 

 placed between two of the second class different from each other, 

 an electric stream is occasioned by the predominating force either 

 to the right or to the left a circulation of this fluid, which ceases 

 only when the circle is broken, and which is renewed when the 

 circle is again rendered complete." 



Another philosopher who, like Volta, denied the existence of 

 a fluid peculiar to animals, but who took a somewhat different 

 view of the origin of the phenomenon, was Giovanni Fabroni, of 

 Florence (b. 1752, d. 1822), who,* having placed two plates of 

 different metals in water, observed that one of them was partially 

 oxidized when they were put in contact ; from which he rightly 

 concluded that some chemical action is inseparably connected 

 with galvanic effects. 



The feeble intensity of the phenomena of galvanism, which 

 compared poorly with the striking displays obtained in electro- 

 statics, was responsible for some falling off of interest in them 

 towards the end of the eighteenth century ; and the last years 

 of their illustrious discoverer were clouded by misfortune. Being 

 attached to the old order which was overthrown by the armies 

 of the French Ke volution, he refused in 1798 to take the oath of 

 allegiance to the newly constituted Cisalpine Eepublic, and was 

 deposed from his professorial chair. A profound melancholy, 

 which had been induced by domestic bereavement, was aggra- 

 vated by poverty and disgrace ; and, unable to survive the loss 

 of all he held dear, he died broken-hearted before the end of 

 the year.f 



* Phil. Journal, 4to, iii. 308 ; iv. 120 ; Journal de Physique, vi. 348. 

 t A decree of reinstatement had been granted, but had not come into operation 

 at the time of Galvani's death. 



