248 xMR. H. P. BAXTER’S EXPERIMENTAL INQUIRY AS TO THE EXISTENCE 
inference : — When the electrodes of a galvanometer are brought into communication, 
one with the mucous membrane of the alimentary canal, the other with the blood flowing 
from the same part, a deviation of the needle takes place, indicating that the secreted 
product and the blood are in opposite electric states. 
The two {o\[owmg experiments 9 and 10, upon rabbits, were undertaken to ascertain 
how far they would confirm this inference. To avoid unnecessary repetition, it may 
be stated, that the same results occurred as in experiments 7 and 8 ; and, in addition, 
the following circuits were formed. 
Renal vein and pelvis of the same kidney ; renal vein of the opposite kidney and 
urinary bladder : in both instances vibrations only were produced. 
Mucous membrane of the stomach and bile flowing from the gall-bladder ; the 
former positive. 
Food from stomach and blood ; former positive. 
No result was obtained in the following circuits : — Gall-bladder and vena cava at 
the entrance of the hepatic veins. Gall-bladder and vena porta. Mucous mem- 
brane of the ilium and superior mesenteric artery. Stomaeh and gall-bladder (the 
pointed extremity being inserted into its whole length). Mueous membrane of the 
stomaeh and vena cava at the entrance of the hepatic veins. Mucous membrane of 
the stomach and vena porta. Contents of caput coli and blood. Mucous membrane 
of the ilium and blood on its outer surface. 
In one experiment the liver was much diseased, dark-coloured, and half the usual 
size ; the rabbit appeared weak and unable to support itself. 
The parts in the last experiment were covered over with a towel and allowed to 
remain undisturbed for eight hours. It will be unnecessary to state the circuits that 
were then formed, with their results, and likewise those in a rabbit, which died from 
natural causes, twenty-two, twenty-five, and thirty-nine hours after death, as the fol- 
lowing experiment containing the principal facts worthy of notice will be related at 
full length. 
Experiment 11. — Rabbit six hours after death, which arose from natural causes. 
The surface of the viscera and contents of the abdomen were remarkable for their 
appearance, being so similar to that of a healthy and live rabbit. The veins being 
full of fluid blood, a favourable opportunity oecurred of ascertaining whether the 
same effects would be produced as in the living animal. 
The following cireuits were formed : — The blood flowing from the ilium, an empty 
portion of the deseending colon, and caput coli and the mucous membrane of these 
parts ; in the latter only did any effect occur, the mucous membrane slightly positive. 
Contents of the caput coli produced no effect on litmus paper. 
Mucous membrane of the stomach and the following parts, surface of the liver, 
mesentery and small intestines ; eaeh of the latter slightly positive. 
Food in the stomaeh acid : the moisture covering the different viscera restored 
the slightly reddened litmus, but produced no effect upon turmeric paper. 
