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V. Experiments to prove the Exiftence of a Fluid 
in the Nerves. ’Ey Alexander Stuart, M. D . 
Med. <$egin. S'. S. See. 
T H E Exiftence of a Fluid in the Nerves 
(commonly called the Animal Spirits) has 
been doubted of by many ; and notwithftanding 
Experiments made by Ligatures upon the Nerves r 
pfc. continues to be controverted by fome. This 
induced me to make the following Experiments, 
which, I hope, may help to fet thatDodrine, which 
is of fo much Confequence in the Animal CEconomy, 
and Practice of Phyfick, in a clearer Light than I 
think it has hitherto appeared in,. 
EXPERIMENT 1 I. 
I fufpended a Frog by the Fore Legs in a Frame, 
leaving the inferiour Parts loofe then the Head be- 
ing cut off with a Pair of Sciffars, I made a flight 
Pufli perpendicularly downwards, upon the uppermoft 
Extremity of the Medulla Spinalis , in the upper 
Vertebra , with the Button-end of the Probe, filed 
flat and fmooth for that Purpofe ; by which all the 
inferiour Parts were inftantaneoufly brought into the 
fulleft and flrongeft Contra&ion j and this I repeated 
feveral times, on the fame Frog, with equal Succefs^ 
intermitting a few Seconds of Time between the 
Pufhes, which, if repeated too quick, made the Con- 
tractions much flighted 
EX- 
