360 MAN AN ADAPTIVE MECHANISM 



neither cause nor effect, but identical with the 

 action. 



Numerous observations made by means of the Ein- 

 thoven string galvanometer show that there is a quanti- 

 tative variation in the flow of electricity in muscular 

 activity. There is a rhythmic variation with each 

 heart beat ; and there is an intermittent variation in 

 the flow of electricity over the phrenic nerves during 

 respiration. During inhalation anesthesia no electric 

 current can be detected except that identical with 

 respiration and circulation. After death no electric 

 current can be detected. During muscular action the 

 flow of electricity along the efferent nerves is always 

 from the brain toward the periphery. It is evident, 

 therefore, that animals produce electricity ; and that 

 in muscular action there is a quantitative flow of elec- 

 tric current along the nerve fibers supplying the in- 

 volved muscles. 



Can electricity alone cause the various organs and 

 tissues to perform their functions? Answer to this 

 query is found in the accepted physiologic fact that 

 adequate electric stimulation of any gland or muscle 

 in the bod} 7 results in the performance of its normal 

 function. 



If the body be operated by means of electric power, 

 then the electricity must be fabricated within the body, 

 which must of necessity then contain mechanisms for 

 the production and storage of electricity, as well as an 

 electro-motive apparatus and provision for maintaining 

 a difference in potential. In short, there should be 

 found in the body a complete electro-motive apparatus, 

 supplying its elements and disposing of its waste matter. 



