394" GALVANISM. 



iron heated with diamond powder was converted 

 into steel ; yet its effects upon imperfect conduc- 

 tors, as the human body and water, were extremely 

 feeble. 



From the powerful nature of galvanism as an 

 agent, it was expected to be found useful in medi- 

 cine, particularly in those cases where electricity 

 has been employed ; but although it has been very 

 extensively employed, it does not appear to have 

 produced any permanently beneficial effects. 



Some time ago, the public was amused with a 

 pretended new science, called Perkinism, from the 

 name of its inventor, Dr. Perkins, of America. 

 He imagined that he was able to produce extraor- 

 dinary effects upon the human body, by the 

 influence of pointed pieces of metal, which were 

 presented to, or drawn over, the part of the body 

 required to be affected. The instruments which 

 he used for this purpose, and which were merely 

 pieces of metal of five or six inches long, and 

 pointed, he called tractors. As those who are un- 

 acquainted with the principles of science are ever 

 ready to be led away, and made dupes of, by 

 quacks and impostors of every description, it is 

 no wonder that many people in this country 

 gave credit to the stories of the extraordinary 

 virtues of these tractors, and of the wonder- 

 ful cures performed by them : and lists of these 

 cases, apparently well attested, have been pro- 

 duced to confirm what has been advanced re- 

 specting their powers. But from the weakness 

 of some, and the knavery of others, impositions 

 are too easily practised, and pretended facts are 

 never wanting to assist the views of the empiric. 

 This consideration ought to render us cautious in 



