On the influence of the voltaic battery on the nerves , &c. 23 
animal lived. In an experiment in which, under such circum- 
stances, the stomach was exposed, from the time of the divi- 
sion of the nerves, to the influence of a voltaic battery sent 
through the lower portion of the divided nerves, its contents 
were apparently as much changed as they would have been 
in the same time in the healthy animal. The change was 
also of the same kind, the contents of the stomach assuming 
a dark colour, and those of the pyloric end being more uni- 
form, and of a firmer consistence than those of the central 
and cardiac portions of the stomach, while the whole contents 
became less in quantity. 
The division of the nerves, in both ways, produced difficulty 
of breathing and efforts to vomit ; neither of which occurred 
when the stomach and lungs were brought under the influ- 
ence of a voltaic battery, sent through the lower portion of 
the divided nerves.* 
When, under the foregoing circumstances, the lungs had 
not been exposed to the voltaic influence, and the animal 
had been allowed to live for five or six hours, they were 
found much congested : in the rabbit which had been sub- 
mitted to this influence, they seemed quite healthy. 
* Mr. Brodie was not present till after the death of the animal, but this fact 
was observed by Mr. Broughton and others. 
