168 NATURE AND LIFE. 



toward sleep, a sort of calm and stupor. Some physicians 

 have gone so far as to propose electrization of the brain as 

 a means of developing and perfecting the mental powers. 

 Nothing hitherto justifies the belief that such a course 

 could have the slightest influence for good over the func- 

 tions of thought. On the contrary, it is very certain that 

 the electric agent must be applied only with extreme cau- 

 tion to the regions of the head, and that it very easily oc- 

 casions mischief in them. A strong current might readily 

 cause rupture of the vessels, and dangerous haemorrhage in 

 consequence. 



Again, electricity stimulates all the organs of sense. 

 Directed upon the retina, it excites it, producing sensations 

 of glare and dazzling. When sent through the organ of 

 hearing, it produces there a peculiar buzzing noise, and, if 

 brought in contact with the tongue, it calls forth a very 

 characteristic metallic and styptic sensation. And in the 

 olfactory mucous membrane it creates a sneezing irritation, 

 and also, it seems, an odor of ammonia. 



The currents not only act on the cerebro-spinal nerves, 

 and the muscles concerned in life, as related outwardly, but 

 affect also the parts of the nervous and muscular systems 

 devoted to the functions of nutritive life. Electricity by 

 induction, applied to these muscles, causes contraction in 

 them at the point of contact with the poles, while the part 

 situated between the poles remains without motion. Con- 

 tinuous currents produce, at the instant of closing the cir- 

 cuit, a local contraction at the junction with the poles, and 

 then the organ becomes quiet ; if it is previously in action, 

 motion ceases. In the case of the intestine, for instance, 

 peristaltic movement is checked ; and by means of elec- 

 tricity contractions of the uterus may be suspended in an 

 animal, during parturition. In general, the fluid suppresses 

 spasms of all the involuntary muscles. 



All these facts relating to electric action upon the 



