Experiments and observations relative to the influence lately discovered by M. Galvani, and commonly called animal electricity / by Richard Fowler.

  • Fowler, Richard, 1765-1863.
Date:
1793
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Experiments and observations relative to the influence lately discovered by M. Galvani, and commonly called animal electricity / by Richard Fowler. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by University of Bristol Library. The original may be consulted at University of Bristol Library.

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    when no more than one metal is in con- tact with it *. At the time I firft obferved this fad, I was making experiments to afcertain whe- ther it was poiTible to tranfmit the influence, which had excited contractions in one leg, into another, removed to fome diftance from it, and communicating with it, only by means of a fingle conducting fubftance, (fuch as filver, for example). For this purpofe, * In an able lecture, which Dr Monro latelv deli- vered, chiefly upon this fubjecr, he demonftrated the poflibility of exciting contractions in the limb of a frog, without either of the metals he employed being in con- tact with it; or having any other communication with it than through the medium of fome moift fubftance. In varying this experiment, I find, that if a frog be divided in two parts, juft above the origin of the fciatic nerves, and put into a bafon of water, the hind legs may be thrown into ftrong contractions, by bringing zinc, or tin-foil, and filver, in contact with each other, at the diftance of at leaft an inch from the divided fpine, fo long as they are kept nearly in a right line with it. Water, in this cafe, is the only communication between ^he metals and the origin of the nerves.