286 LOCALIZED ELECTRIZATION. 



(&). Thanks to the combination of two superposed coils, formed 

 of wires of different dimensions, we have not only the advantage of 

 obtaining currents of different kinds, with special physiological 

 properties, but we are also able to exhibit the phenomenon of 

 decomposition of water by the current of the primary coil, the 

 wire of which is of sufficient size to produce this chemical action, 

 Avithout requiring to change the reels, as in the case of Clarke's 

 apparatus. I should add that the commutator of the coils, which 

 enables us to pass rapidly from one current to the other, without 

 displacing the conductors, renders this experiment more easy. 



(c). Lastly, my apparatus serves to show the great difference 

 which exists between the induction produced in the magneto- 

 faradic instruments, by the sole influence of the armature on the 

 magnet, and that which is the result of solutions of continuity of 

 the circuit of the primary coil, at the moment when the armature 

 leaves or approaches the magnet. The mechanism which permits 

 these experiments is very simple, since it is sufficient to turn in 

 opposite directions the screw of the rheotome B (fig. 64), placed 

 at the base of one of the springs, in order to transmit or to arrest 

 the current, the solutions of which are made between the teeth 

 of the ring placed upon the small reel. 



These results form, I repeat, an incontestable progress. And 

 yet, how is it that the apparatus has been disregarded, to say no 

 more, by the physicists whose electro-physiological theories, M'hich 

 to me seem erroneous, I have so often had to dispute ? It is 

 because these physicists, ignorant of the requirements of those 

 physiological, pathological, and therapeutical researches for which 

 the instrument is adapted, are unable to form an idea of the 

 utility of the properties that it j^ossesses ; it is, that they have not 

 even seen the instrument in action, and that they only know it by 

 a description which they have read without being able to under- 

 stand. A great number of physicists have examined it, and I 

 have found that once showing it to them has enabled them per- 

 fectly to understand its mechanism, which they have afterwards 

 explained in their lectures or in their works.^ I can affirm, indeed, 



- I may mention, among others, MM. ' some of them may even appear super- 

 De la liive and Jamin, before whom I j tluous ; but it wiaild not be wise to pro- 

 have exhibited electi o-phy.siological ex- j nounce, without much circumspection, up- 

 periments which show the difierent phy- on the identity of the intimate economy 

 Biological action of the coils of my mag- i of complicated phenomena which we see 

 neto-electric apparatus, I may also quote j only in the aggregate. Bloreover, it is 

 the opinion of M. Le Koux upon its | necessary to recognise that the labours of 

 merits : — this author have not been without intlu- 



" This apparatus is unquestionably more ] ence in perfecting the small instruments 

 complete than any other of the kind. The | which are now at the disposal of medical 

 means which it offers of graduating and practice, and of which there are numbers 

 varying its effects are numerous; and presenting almost equal advantages." 



