SCIENCE. 
59 
At a lower degree of attenuation, the stream of elec- 
trode matter pushes back the attenuated gas, and this 
explains the dark space which appears in the tube. This 
dark space is analogous to the daik space in a gas flame, 
which is to be seen near the mouth of the gas tube, and 
is produced because the outstreaming gas pushes back 
the particles of air which, coming from an opposite direc- 
tion, try to enter the tube. 
****** 
Another observation of Mr. Puluj also contradicts the 
conclusions of W. Crookes. Puluj has observed that, at 
a higher attenuation, the electrode is moving towards the 
aluminium side, i. e., in opposite direction from that ob- 
served by W. Crookes. According to Mr. Crookes the 
cause of motion is a double one, the higher temperature 
of the electrode at the metallic side and the emission of 
electrode particles. 
Both effects are opposite. At a lower attenuation the 
effect of the heat is greater, and the electrode moves in 
the direction of the wings of the radiometer, with the 
colder side ahead, at a higher attenuation, the effect of 
ihe emission of electrode particles is predominant. Ra- 
diant electrode matter and the electrode itself move in 
the same direction. 
This remarkable discovery proves not only the incor- 
rectness of Mr. Cro kes’ explanation, but is also in direct 
opposition to the principle of the preservation of the cen- 
tre of gravity, which is made by Mr. Crookes the basis 
of his arguments. 
The Vienna scientist draws from his observations the 
conclusion that the forces by which the electrode particles 
are torn off are not interior but exterior forces. When 
the electric current passes through the electrode, there 
is, according to his opinion, really a stream of extremely 
fine matter (ether) flowing, which not only tears off par- 
ticles of the electrode, but also sets the whole electrode 
into motion. 
This view seems to be a new proof of the Unitarian 
hypothesis, which maintains that an electric current is 
nothing else but a current of ether. 
Even if the number of scientists who follow the dual- 
istic hypothesis of electricity is by far greater than that 
of the Unitarians, the view of the latter deserves at least 
our attention, especially when such men as Franklin, 
Secchi and Edlund approved it. 
THE MAGNET IN MEDICINE 
Translated for “ Science ” by Thos. B. Columbia. 
Some recent researches made under the direction of 
Prof. Charot in his laboratory at the Salpetriere have 
drawn attention anew to a therapeutic agent known for 
a long time, but to-day almost abandoned. We find, in 
fact, even in the works of the oldest authors, traces of 
attempts made by physicians to apply the magnet in the 
treatment of disease. 1 But the want of precise rules in 
its application and the appearance of mystery and of 
fancy which is attached to this kind of research ex- 
plain the discredit into which this means of treatment 
has fallen. 
We are indebted to Prof. Maggiorani for having under_ 
taken, in about 1869, the restoration of magnetic thera- 
peutics, by seeking to establish it upon rational and truly 
scientific principles. 
It was in the train of the experiments undertaken by 
1 Among the authors who have given attention to the action of the mag- 
net in medicine, we may cite: Pliny the Younger, Paracelsus, Albert the 
Great, the older Hell (1770), Mesmer (1779), Andry and Thouret (1780) 
Becker (1829). 
the Commission appointed by the Biological Society, 
of Paris, w.th the ooject of verifying the facts collected 
by M. Burq under the generic title of Metallotherapy, 2 
that the first attempts toward the application of the mag- 
net were made at the Salpetriere. After the results ob- 
tained by the application cf metals, it was natural to 
seek to clear up the singular phenomena by varying as 
much as possible the conditions of the experiment. In 
this way it was shown that the plates of the differ- 
ent metals were not the only agents capable of acting 
upon a certain class of diseases (neuroses, and particu- 
larly hysteria, organic affections of the cerebral nervous 
system). Similar results were attained with many physi- 
cal agents : feeble currents, statical electricity, vibrations 
of sonorous bodies, differences of temperature, magne- 
tized bars, electro-magnets, solenoids, etc. Very soon 
the magnetic bars were noticeable for the constancy of 
their action and facility of their use. 
Magnets are, therefore, not endowed, from this point of 
view, with specific properties ; they form part of a group of 
physical agents which, to different degrees, possess the 
same power of impressing the nervous system and of giv- 
ing rise to biological phenomena ; and although magnets 
are here particularly spoken of, it must not be forgotten 
that they are not the only ones concerned. 
The status of the question has been clearly exposed by 
Dr. Vigoroux in the Medical Annual (1879). To this 
article I must refer those who wish to become acquainted 
with the etisemble of phenomena, which are included un- 
der the name metalloscopic. These studies, begun at 
the Salpetriere, have given rise to active discussions. The 
facts announced have been confirmed, wholly or in part, 
in Germany by Muller of Gratz, Westphal, Vierordt, 
Schiff, Adamkiewicz of Benin ; Benedick of Vienna, 
Rumpf of Dusseldorf ; in Italy, by Seppilli, Maragliani, 
and especially Maggiorani ; in England, by Gamgee, 
Sigerson, H. Tuke; in France, outside of the work of 
the Commission, I will mention only the thesis of M. 
Aigre and the observations of MM. Dumontpallier, 
Vigouroux, Landouzy and Debove, who have verified 
the therapeutical action of the magnet. But the results 
obtained were sharply attacked on the other side of the 
Channel by Hughes, Carpenter and Noble, who at- 
tempted to explain them by “expectant attention.” In a 
thesis read before the Faculty of Medicine of Paris in 
1878, Mr. Oscar Jennings made himself the champion of 
the ideas expressed by these English writers. 
As to what relates to the magnet itself we are going 
to show, summarily, the arguments upon which are based 
its physiological action ancl its therapeutical use. 
The action of the magnet, among effects produced by 
other physical agents of which we have spoken (plates 
of different metals, electricity, vibrations of the diapason), 
presents itself in a more surprising way, and, indeed, in 
a way b priori prone to excite incredulity. The applica- 
tion is not direct. The magnet is not placed in contact 
with the skin of the subject upon whom the experiment 
is tried, as it is necessary to do with other metalic 
plates, its action being exerted at a distance. It is 
sufficient to influence the organism, and produce the 
same effects as other metals, to place the magnetized 
bar at a distance of one to two centimetres from the 
portion of the body upon which we wish to make an 
impression. All the experiments at the Salpetriere have 
been made with these conditions. The effects produced 
in these cases were not attributed to the action of the 
metal, and belong properly to magnetism itself. 
The magnet, let us say, acts in some way on the 
organism when in these special morbid conditions. Before 
speaking of the facts which prove peremptorily that this 
action exists, can we not, if not explain it, at least con- 
ceive of the possibility of such an effect. The action of 
2 See La Nature , Feb. 17, 1877. 
