16 HISTORY OF 



not rejected by philosophers, it is for this reason that a resume 

 of his propositions is here subjoined. After having recalled to 

 the recollection of his readers the fact that in inorganic chemistry, 

 the influence of the electrical states of bodies produces changes 

 in their chemical properties, he asserts that this effect ought 

 equally to take place in organic chemistry, and that if living 

 substances do not exhibit the same kind of affinity with dead 

 bodies, this difference ought to be considered as dependent on 

 the existence, in the former, of some peculiar electrical state, 

 differing from that which exists independently of life. " In the 

 present day," he adds, " the great majority of physiologists 

 believe that, life must be considered as the result of an action 

 of certain piles, artistically arranged, and continually acting 

 in such a manner that every organ is an electrical apparatus, 

 and that all these piles have a common and reciprocal relation, 

 so that the instant life ceases, the electrical actions have no 

 longer the power of reproduction. 



In acknowledging the truth of these principles, such piles, 

 set in action by some unknown cause, dependent on vitality, 

 ought necessarily to produce a positive or negative polarity in 

 organs where, apart from the Voltaic action, it would not exist ; 

 from this it must result that at these poles there must be secre- 

 tions, excretions, and special modifications, which cease the 

 instant that the electrical action is destroyed. 



In the same manner that we have succeeded in destroying 

 the action of the sea upon copper by rendering this metal 

 electro-negative, ought we to be able to change the nature of 

 secretions in animals, by reversing the polarity of the organs 

 which furnish them. The stomach, for example, secretes acids; 

 the positive state predominates. If this secretion is too abun- 

 dant, we must increase the contrary electrical state ; it will be 

 the same with the kidneys, when the urine abounds in uric acid, 

 and gives rise to stone. We should impart to them an electro- 

 negative state. In the same way, chancre engenders a secretion 

 which, according to Crawfort, turns syrup of violets green ; 

 chancre then proves that the negative polarity prevails, and we 

 must accordingly give it a contrary state." 



