Electricity and Galvanism, 237 



analogous to the prismatic cells or tubes of the torpedo and other 

 electric fishes. This idea is, I need hardly say, not supported by 

 any anatomical resemblance between the organization of the pul- 

 monic cells and the electric tubes of the torpedo, but was evidently 

 simply emitted as an hypothesis necessary to the theory of animal 

 heat promulgated by the very ingenious observer just alluded to. 

 "We, however, must not forget that it is by no means proved that 

 any union of carbon with oxygen does occur in the lungs : it is, 

 indeed, more than probable that this combination occurs most ex- 

 tensively in the systemic capillary system, and that the carbonic acid 

 exhaled by the act of expiration is by no means admitted to be 

 exclusively generated in the lungs. 



I have here only alluded to the oxidation of carbon ; but we must 

 recollect that hydrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur — elements constitu- 

 ting important and essential ingredients of our food — are also thus 

 burnt off and oxidated in the body. These must, like the carbon, 

 become by this very act sources of free electricity. But a more im- 

 portant influence disturbing electric equilibrium is found in the series 

 of decompositions which, in the physiological condition of the body, 

 are always in action. It is impossible that any two elements can be 

 rent asunder without setting free a current of electricity, which, 

 insignificant as it might theoretically appear, is nevertheless com- 

 petent to the production of many important phenomena. As one 

 among many examples, I would cite the case of common salt, which 

 plays so important a part as an article of food, and for which 

 perhaps alone, of all condiments, an universal appetite exists. In 

 addition to the proportion of this substance which enters the blood 

 unchanged, and becomes an element of all the secretions, a part is 

 decomposed, and one element in union with hydrogen appears as 

 hydrochloric acid in the stomach ; another, in union with oxygen, 

 constitutes, as soda, an important constituent of the bile. What, 

 it may be inquired, can be the influence of these apparently infini- 

 tesimal evolutions of electric matter, evolved thus from the resolution 

 of a few grains of salt and water into its elements ? But it is easy 

 to produce a mass of evidence to show that these small quantities of 

 electricity are more so in appearance than reality. When we gaze 

 on the electric machine, and listen to the loud snapping, and observe 



