CHAP. IV. §. I. IN THE STOMACH AND INTESTINES. 31 



worked out by Becqderels, may be enunciated in 

 the following proposition : During the reaction of two 

 fluids upon each other, that which performs the part of 

 an acid takes positive electricity, and that of an alkali, 

 negative electricity. 



In experiments upon animals, as just related, it 

 was found that the electrode in contact with the 

 venom blood was positive to the other, excepting 

 when there was much acid in the stomach, and then 

 the electrode in contact with the mucous surface of 

 the stomach was positive to the other in contact with 

 the blood. Now in order to explain these results, 

 under the supposition that they arise from the 

 chemical reactions of the fluids upon each other, it 

 must be supposed, that when the electrode in contact 

 with the venous blood is positive to the other, that 

 then the blood acts as an acid, and not only so, but 

 combines with the substances of fluids in the in- 

 testines. When it is found, however, that the 

 electrode in contact with the stomach is positive, 

 then it may be supposed, and rightly so, that the 

 results are due to the chemical reactions which 

 occur in that organ between the acids and other 

 fluids that are there found. But should we be 

 justified in supposing, that when the electrode in 

 contact with the blood is positive to the other in the 

 stomach, the stomach being empty or containing 

 but little acid, that then the blood is acting as an 

 acid? Here, as in the intestines, it would be 



s Loc. cU, vol. ii. p. 77. 



