animation at pleasure. The experiments have fince been repeated by an eminent electrician* in London, and with fimilar effects. On fmart fhocks being paffed through the head, the animal immediately becomes motionless on tranfmitting the gentleft vibratory shocks through the region of the heart, ofcillations of the external muscles inftantly enfued. When the operation was fufpended for fome minutes, or its duration altered to more remote parts, the animal relapsed into its quiescent state, and constantly revived on its being repeated as at first. And what is very worthy of attention is, the vital organs were more certainly excited, and more vivid motions produced by flight, than when the fhocks were increased; the latter appearing to retard, rather than promote recovery. It was alfo found, by the laft experienced electrician, to afford present relief in fyncope, though when administered with violence in people of a nervous habit, it is known. frequently to produce that state. From the above phænomena it seems reasonable to conclude, that electricity ought to be principally directed. to the heart, lungs, and diaphragm, in the form of *PARTINGTON. gentle gentle fhocks, Applied in a moderate degree, it excites vital action after other ftimuli have ceased to act: carried to an extreme, it deftroys irritability, and life itself. For whether the ftroke be fent from a thunder-cloud, or a highly charged electrical battery, is immaterial; the effect from either may alike prove fatal. Electricity, therefore, prefents us with one of the most powerful ftimulants hitherto discovered, which, like other active remedies, may be falutary or injurious, according as it is managed. Hence the impropriety of those violent fhocks of electricity formerly given in palfy, chlorofis, &c, which, like other exhausting stimuli, not only defeat the intention, but prove extremely injurious. Hence, perhaps, the furprising fuccefs of electricity in fome cafes that appeared desperate; and its failure in others, after it had produced fome flattering tokens of recovery. Instances of both which are to be met with in the Reports of the Humane Society for the years 1787 and 1789. Nor is this to be wondered at, feeing its effects may be fo greatly diverfified according to the different modes of application, by which its powers are ad◄ justed. Thus it may be directed to pass filently along the metallic wire; to melt it inftantly; or difperfe it with incredible fury. Thus a violent blast of air ex VOL. III. 4 E tinguishes tinguishes the burning taper, while a gentle breeze rekindles it. In like manner, the tickling the foles of an infant causes convulfive laughter; while rubbing that part produces no fuch effect. As it is known from various obfervations, that the blood passes most freely through the pulmonary vessels, when the lungs are expanded by a full inspiration; if at this juncture, the heart can be excited to exert its power, while the resistance is fo confiderably diminished; it must more easily propel the blood forward, when part of it will enter the left cavity, now almost empty. This being brought into action, will, in its turn, urge it forward into the arterial fyftem. As foon as the lungs, therefore, are fully expanded with air, and the more pure this is, undoubtedly the better; at that moment, let the heart be excited by a gentle electrical fhock, paffed obliquely from the right fide of the cheft through the left, in the direct course of the heart, and pulmonary vessels. Let the lungs be now emptied of the air, and again expanded, when another shock may be given. The heart being thus excited into action, the black blood, loitering near its right cavity, will begin to move forward, and to refume a more florid colour. This being gradually renovated, will renew the action of the left auricle, where the circulation will also be speedily reftored, and that, perhaps, with more certainty and expedition, than by the ufual mode of conducting the operation.-Dr. FOTHERGILL.] PROP. IV. It will be neceffary to convey fome stimulating subftance into the fiomach, to roufe this feat of univerfal fympathy. This operation fhould be performed with all poffible expedition, because the inftrument, by continuing in the mouth, might produce fickness, which would tend rather to distress than rouse the living principle. The process recommended under the firft head of treatment fhould ftill be continued, while those under the other heads are putting into practice; for I confider these only as auxiliary to the firft. The firft, in many cafes, may fucceed alone; but the other injunctions, without the first must, I think, always fail where the powers of life are confiderably weakened.-HUNTER. [When the heart has once been made to receive the 4 E 2 florid florid blood, it will be ftimulated to new action, and the vital functions will be reftored. It will not, however, be fufficient to ftimulate the heart and lungs, we must at the fame time ftimulate the ftomach. Clearly to comprehend the purpose of this operation, the reader fhould be previoufly well acquainted with the discoveries of modern chemifts. I have faid wine must be conveyed into the ftomach; but he fhould not be fatisfied with being guided by the hand, without understanding the reason why fuch an application is attended with fuccefs. In the use of medicines he fhould endeavour to ascertain their mode of operation; for while the rash empyric wanders in the dark, the cautious and rational practitioner will be anxious to investigate the path of nature, and to account for her proceedings, while he ventures to prescribe. I fhall attempt therefore to throw fome light upon a fubject which is new, and therefore little understood. It is well known from chemistry that, in nature's elaboratory, the juice of the grape is compofed of three ingredients, { 1. HYDROGEN, 3. CARBON, By |
