LECTURE I. S3 



causes, in matter organized as it is found to 

 be in the vegetable and animal systems. 



The phaenomena of electricity and of life 

 correspond. Electricity may be attached 

 to, or inhere, in a wire; it may be suddenly 

 dissipated, or have its powers annulled, 

 or it may be removed by degrees or in por- 

 tions, and the wire may remain less and less 

 strongly electrified, in proportion as it is 

 abstracted. So life inheres in vegetables 

 and animals; it may sometimes be suddenly 

 dissipated, or have its powers abolished, 

 though in general it is lost by degrees, with- 

 out any apparent change taking place in the 

 structure ; and in either case putrefaction 

 begins when life terminates. 



The motions of electricity are charac- 

 terized by their celerity and force ; so are 

 the motions of irritability. The motions of 

 electricity are vibratory ; so likewise are 

 those of irritability. When by long-con- 

 tinued exertion the power of muscles is fa- 

 tigued, or when it is feeble, their vibratory 

 or tremulous motions are manifest to com- 



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