the voluntary muscles with the brain. 1 73 



sensitive nerve being generally combined together, affords a 

 pregnant source of error. 



It is natural to suppose that the galvanic influence might 

 be brought to bear on this subject ; but I may be permitted 

 to suggest to any one who pursues it in this way, that it will 

 be necessary to distinguish the effects produced by the nerve 

 as a mere conductor, and when performing its living functions. 

 The nerve, dead or alive, may convey the galvanic power 

 like a wet cord; but if the nerve be in possession of its living 

 property, a great deal will depend on the direction in which 

 the galvanic fluid is transmitted. If it be transmitted against 

 the course of the nervous influence, it will reach the muscles 

 and act feebly, but the power of the nerve will not be exer- 

 cised upon the muscles ; but if it be transmitted in the proper 

 course towards the muscles the nerve itself will be excited, 

 and its power propagated so as to produce violent action in 

 the corresponding muscles. 



