THE AMERICAN 



MONTHLY 



MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 



Vol. XI. AUGUST, 1890. No. 8. 



All coinniunicatiofis for this Journal, whether relating to business or to editorial 

 matters, and all books, pamphlets, exchafiges, etc., should be addressed to Ameri- 

 can Monthly Microscopical Journal, Box 6jo, Washi?igto?t, D. C. 



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 by International Postal Order for $1.13 per attnum, or they may be sent to Messrs. 

 Trubner &^ Co., 57 Ludgate Hill, Lojtdon, or to Mr. W. P. Collins, i^y Great 

 Portland street, London, accompanied by the yearly price of five shillings. 



The Influence of Electricity on Protoplasm.* 



By GEO. E. FELL, M. D., 



BUFFALO, N. Y. 



What in part has called the attention of the world to the influence 

 existing between these remarkable agents is, that in the medical world, 

 at home and abroad, an awakening interest in the therapy of electricity 

 has lately been aroused, unusual activity prevails ; electricity is utilized 

 more frequently than ever before in this field, and a more systematic 

 method of application is in vogue. Another factor also is the con- 

 troversy relating to the application of electricity in the execution of 

 criminals. How death is produced by powerful electric influences, 

 from a technically scientific stand-point, is as yet unsettled. It is rea- 

 sonably anticipated that the investigations by many workers, lately 

 undertaken, may result in clearing up the existing chaotic uncertainties, 

 and that the true and scientific value of this wonderful agent in these 

 fields may be definitely ascertained. 



Furthermore, the arts and sciences utilize it to such an extent that 

 the world looks on in amazing expectancy, awaiting eagerly the next 

 electric stride in the amelioration of the conditions which now beset 

 mankind. We are fast approaching the electric age of history, but stand 

 awed in an attempt to contemplate its possibilities. 



We will first consider protoplasm, as it exists in nature and its asso- 

 ciations in the animal organism, with reference to the question of elec- 

 trical conductivity. Demonstrating to my class the circulation of the 

 blood in the web of the frog's foot, the field of vision presented the 

 capillaries with the intermediate substance composed of numerous va- 

 riously formed cell-like bodies constituting the tissues of the foot. 

 Histological methods demonstrate that muscle, nerve, adipose, con- 



* The Annual Address of the President before the American Society of Microscopists, Detroit, Mich., 



August 13, i8qo. 



Copyright, 1890, by C. W. Smiley. 



