[ i99 1 
that a mufcle of. a dead body might be 
very eafily lacerated by a weight of a few 
pounds, which in the live animal it could 
have fupported with the utmoft eafe. The 
experiments of M, Bertier have led him 
to make the fame remark, and Dr. Blane 
has afierted the fame fadt. 
It is notwithstanding necefTary to ob« 
ferve, that by this means we cannot obtain 
any accurate meafure, as the diftradtion 
which the mufcle experiences is a caufe 
capable of increafing its living force. 
The nerves are the only inftruments of 
which nature makes ufe for the purpofe of 
changing the ftate of the eledlricity in the 
mufcles, and producing movements in 
them. 
Nerves cannot fail of poffeffing an elec¬ 
tricity of their own, and it is perhaps by 
means of this that they put the mufcular 
eledlricity in motion. 
Thus if we cut, tie, wound, or in any 
O 4 other 
