^gQ PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTION'S [aNNO 1747-8. 



very efficacious in filling the blood with the virtues contained in plants and mi- 

 nerals, as is manifest from what has been said concerning the sulphur, cinnamon, 

 and balsam of Peru. The electrical power of nourishing the blood, differs from 

 the usual mode of healing, in this, that it supplies the blood with aliment with- 

 out the aid of the stomach, and that it enriches the vital juice with those exha- 

 lations which pass through the glass, and excel in subtilty and purity. Medicines 

 received by the mouth must pass into the stomach, before they can be mixed with 

 the blood, and must wander through many and long paths, in which they must 

 be changed. But the spirits raised by benign electricity, flow into the blood 

 without these windings. 



By the conjunction therefore of medicine and the electrical art, it is probable 

 that new and happy cures of diseases may be performed ; remarkable instances of 

 which have been published by Pivati. He restored the obstructed course of the 

 blood in a woman, by applying the usual medicines in such a manner, by means 

 of the electrified glass cylinder, that their essence effectually reached the body. 

 His assistance was implored by a young gentleman, who was so miserably affected 

 by a corrupted humour in his foot, that it eluded all the attempts of the physi- 

 cians. Sig. Pivati filled a glass cylinder with proper materials, and, having elec- 

 trified it, applied it to the part affected, causing it to emit electrical sparks for a 

 few minutes. When the patient went to bed, he had a good night. He sweated 

 every night for 8 days together, after which he remained quite well. Also, S. 

 Donadoni, bishop of Sebenico, came to S. Pivati, attended by his physician and 

 some friends. He was 75 years of age, and had been afflicted with gouty pains 

 in his hands and feet for several years. It had so affected his fingers that he 

 could not move them, and his legs that he could not bend his knees; his servants 

 were obliged at nights to carry him in a chair to the bedside, and lift him gently 

 into it. S. Pivati, in this case, filled a glass cylinder with discutient medicines, 

 which by the electrical virtue he transfused into the patient. He soon felt some 

 unusual commotions in his fingers. The action of the electricity being continued 

 a few minutes, the patient gradually found the benefit of it; he opened and shut 

 both his hands, and gave a hearty squeeze with his hand to one of his attendants; 

 he rose up, walked, smote his hands together, he helped himself to a chair and 

 sat down, wondering at his own strength, and hardly knowing whether it was 

 not a dream ; he walked out of the chamber, and down stairs, without any assist- 

 ance, and with the agility of a young man. Soon afterwards, S. Pivati relieved 

 a lady of 6o years in like manner from the gout, with which she had been 6 

 months tormented. Her fingers were much swollen, and always trembling, and 

 one of her arms was convulsed. After receiving the electricity for 2 minutes, 

 the trembling of her fingers ceased; and the next day the swelling was so far 

 abated, that she could draw on her gloves, and make use of her fingers. Hence 



