268      ELECTRICAL  PROPERTIES  OF  PYROXYLINE-PAPER,  ETC. 
did  not  explain  the  immediate  and  powerful  action  which  follows 
the  exhibition  of  the  minutest  dose  of  the  nitrite  of  amyle.  Ho 
thought,  therefore,  that  the  action  was  immediately  on  the 
"  nervous  system,  and  that  such  action,  transferred  to  the  fila- 
ments of  nerves  surrounding  the  arteries,  paralyzed  the  vaso 
nerves,  on  which  the  heart  immediately  injected  the  vessels 
causing  the  peculiar  redness .  of  the  skin  and  the  other  phe- 
nomenon that  had  been  narrated.  Dr.  Richardson,  in  conclu- 
sion, said  that  nitrite  of  amyle,  like  to  chloroform  twenty  years 
ago,  was  only  to  be  considered  a  physiological  curiosity.  It 
might  by  its  action  suggest  the  cause  of  trance,  and  of  what  was 
called  hysterical  unconsciousness,  and  it  might  explain  the  mode 
by  which  certain  analogous  substances  produced  their  effects  on 
the  organism.  It  had  been  suggested- — naturally  suggested — 
that  in  fainting,  as  from  loss  of  blood  or  from  fear,  the  in- 
halation of  the  nitrite  of  amyle  might  be  of  service.  He  (the 
author)  did  not,  however,  at  the  present  moment  recommend 
its  use  in  medicine,  because  of  the  intensity  of  its  action.  This 
last  point  was  at  the  present  time  under  his  inquiry,  and  he 
would  report  further  results  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Associa- 
tion.— Am.  Jour.  Med.  Sciences,  April,  from  Med.  Times  and 
Gaz.,  Sept.  26,  1863. 
ELECTRICAL  PROPERTIES  OF  PYROXIL1NE-PAPER  AND  GUN- 
COTTON. 
Prof.  John  Johnson,  of  Wesleyan  University,  has  called  my 
attention  to  a  remarkable  power  in  pyroxiline-paper  of  producing 
positive  electrical  excitement  in  sulphur,  sealing  wax,  &c.  His 
note  is  as  follows  : 
Wesleyan  University,  Middletown,  Dec.  24,  1863. 
Prof.  Silliman — Dear  Sir  : — We  are  told  by  writers  on 
electricity  that  sulphur,  by  friction  with  all  other  substances, 
becomes  negatively  excited ;  as  cat's  fur,  on  the  other 
extreme,  by  friction  with  all  other  substances  becomes 
excited  positively.  But  a  few  days  ago  I  made  the  dis- 
covery that  sulphur  by  friction  with  paper  pyroxiline  (I  will 
call  it)  is  excited  with  positive  electricity,  as  are  also  sealing 
wax,  amber,  &c.    The  paper  is  prepared  in  the  same  manner  as 
