6 HISTORY OF GALVANISM. 



two metals connected by a conductor of elec- 

 tricity. 



General Galvani's general conclusion from his experi- 

 on * ments was, that the animal body possesses an in- 

 herent electricity of a specific kind, which is con- 

 nected with the nervous system, and conveyed by 

 means of the metals into the muscles, so as to 

 throw them into convulsions. He deduced a theory 

 of muscular motion from his discoveries, according 

 to which the body contains an apparatus analogous 

 to the Leyden phial, its different parts being in 

 different states of electricity, and the metals 

 forming a connexion between them, by which the 

 electricity is equalized. In this application of the 

 new phenomena, Galvani went beyond the limits 

 of correct deduction ; yet he deserves much com- 

 mendation for the perseverance and ingenuity 

 which he exhibited in prosecuting the inquiry. 

 Although the discovery originated, in a consider- 

 able degree, from accident, still it must be re- 

 membered, that it is only men of ability who take 

 advantage of such accidents.* 



Vaiii's let- Galvani had no sooner published an account of 

 ers, 1792. ^ dig^ve^ than the philosophers, in different 

 parts of Europe, entered with eagerness upon the 

 examination /of the new phenomena. Among the 

 earliest writers on the subject were Valli, Fowler, 

 and Volta. The principal object pf Valli's letters f 



* A. Galvani de Viribus Electricitatis in Motu musculari 

 Commentarius. 

 f Journal de Physique, xli. and xlii. 



