[ 16 ] 
greateft part of them at leaft, were only temporary, 
and the patient relapfed. But I had never feen or 
known the effects of electricity in the contrary affec- 
tion, viz. rigidity of mufcles. I was very defirous 
therefore of trying its effeCts in this inftance, and of 
ihaking the rigid mufcles by eleCtricity; efpecially 
as I could have it done with very little pain, and no 
danger to the patient. 
I juft now mentioned, that I was able in paralytic 
perfons to make any particular mufcle at my will ex- 
ert its aCtion. This was to be effected by Jimple 
eleftrifing only ; but by modifying and altering the 
apparatus of the charged vial, I was able to do much 
more. It is now feventeen years fince, that I dis- 
covered, and communicated it to you at that time, 
that by means of the elcftric circuit 1 could caufe the 
eleCtricity topervade any mufcle, any number of muf- 
cles, or whatever part of the body I pleafed, without 
affeCting the reft with that unpleafing fenfation. Ma- 
ny experiments, relating to this matter, and which I 
laid before you, were printed in the forty-fourth vo- 
lume of the Philofophical TranfaCtions.* 
But to return to our patient : We ordered her to 
be eleCtrifed about the middle of November. This 
was done every day, or every other day for about 
twenty minutes, by j imply elcBrijing the mufcles fub- 
fervient to the motion of the lower jaw, her neck, and 
her arms. This at firft was very difficult to be at- 
chieved 3 as fhe was not capable of being placed in a 
chair to be eleCtrifed by herfelf, and as an affiftant 
could fcarce hold her on account of her being greatly 
diftortcd. It with difficulty, however, was done. 
After 
* Pag. 718, & fcq. 
