Sect. II.] Galvanism. 55 



contradictory in their aspect, and generally inex- 

 plicable, without either forming a theory sutlici- 

 ently fixed or luminous to satisfy the inquirer, or 

 instructing us in what manner this principle may 

 be applied for the benefit of mankind*. Professor 

 Galvani, signor Volta, and several other distin- 

 guished experimenters, have supposed the Gal- 

 vanic phenomena to arise from. the operation of 

 the electric fluid. They observed that this sub- 

 stance seemed to move with rapidity ; that it pro- 

 duced a sensation similar to the electric shock ; 

 that it passed with facilit}^ through metals, and 

 other conductors of electricity ; while it was stop- 

 ped in its course by glass, sealing-wax, and other 

 substances which we know to be nonconductors 

 of the electric matter. Others, on the contrary, 

 observing several phenomena, which were thought 

 to be incompatible with the known laws of electri- 

 city, or inexplicable by them, have rejected this 

 opinion, and resorted to difterent means of solving 

 the difficulty. 



M. Fabroni, who made a number of ingenious 

 experiments in Galvanism, was the first who sys- 

 tematically attempted to prove that the eft'ects 

 which he observed arose from chemical .causes f. 

 This opinion has led to much curious investigation; 

 and various experiments evince that the ag^nt in 

 question produces, most powerfully, some effects, 



* Since the above was written, very curious information has 

 been received from Germany, respecting the application of (^a/- 

 vanism to medical purposes. It appears to possess great etficacy 

 in removing many diseases arising from nervous derangement and 

 muscular debility. 



t See Nicholson's JPhilosophical Journal, vol. iii, p. 308. 

 D2 



