197 



sage of thunder clouds, when the air is known to be re- 

 plete with that fluid. Her case was decided to be a ner- 

 vous one. 



Two gentlemen of Geneva had a short experience of 

 the same complaint, though in a mucli superior degree. 

 Professor Saussure, and young Mr. Jalaberr, when tra<- 

 velling 'over one of the high Alps, were caught amongst 

 thunder clouds: and to their utter astonishment, funui 

 their bodies so full of electrical fire, that spontaneous 

 flashes darted from their fingers with a crackling noise, 

 and the same kind of sensation, as when strongly elec- 

 trified by art. 



It seems pretty evident, that these feelings were owing 

 to the bodies being possessed of too great a share of 

 electric fire. This is an uncommon case ; but it is not 

 at all improbable, that many of our invalids,- particularly 

 the hypochondriac, owe their disagreeable feelings to 

 the opposite cause, or the bodies being possessed of too 

 small a quantity of this fire $ for we find that a diminu- 

 tion of it in the air seldom fails to increase their uneasy 

 sensations, and vice versa. 



Perhaps it might be of service to these people to 

 wear some electric substance next their skin, to defend 

 the nerves and fibres from the damp, or new electric air. 

 I would propose a waistcoat of the finest flannel, which 

 should be kept perfectly clean and dry; for the effluvia 

 of the body in case of any violent perspiration, will soon 

 destroy its electric quality ; this should be covered by 

 another of the same size of silk. The animal heat, 

 and the friction that exercise must occasion l>etuixt these 

 two substances, produce a powerful electricity ; and 

 would form a kind of electric atmosphere round the 

 body, thai might possibly be one of the best preserva- 

 tives, against the effect of damps. 



As for our Swiss lady, I have little doubt that her 

 complaints were owing in great part to her dress : and 

 that a very small alteration almost ia any part of it a 

 would effectuall have cured her. 



