Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/388

356&#93; 6] GAL 3D ductors of eleftricrryj but these motions may also be induced, by simply touching the animal fibre with two different metals, that are brought in contact with each other at the same moment. This sur- prizing phenomenon has latelybeen resorted to, in order to ascertain whether a drowned, suffocated, or otherwise suddenly deceased per- son, was really or apparently dead. Fortius purpose, Dr. Creve, Prof. of Medicine in the University of ]Iayence, has contrived an instru- ment formed like a bow, both ends of which are furnished with two small round plates. The whole is_ composed of two parts made of different metals; one-half of solid zinc, the other of line silver ; or gold and zinc, or lead, tin, and Sold. The proportion of the first metal should be less than the other combined with it ; namely, the weight and size of the zinc-plate should be less than the opposite one of gold. Bo'di plates are only screwed on the bow, which chiefly consists of silver. But, where this instrument cannot be procured on the spur of the oe-asion, a small piece of tin or lead, and a silver coin of a 'moderate size (for in- stance a shilling, or half-a-crown piece) may be st Al- though any part of the body may be fixed upon for making the ex- periment with persons apparently dead, yet the Upper arm will be the most proper. The skin, how- ever, in that part where the inci- i is made, ought to be sound, and not of a gangrenous appear- ance. The inn eles must be clear- ed of all fal and cellular t< xture, .1 far as this be prnclicablr 5 and the blood is to be taken up by a sponge dipped in water. Next, the mus< < should be slightly extended, by G A L stretching the arm ; and, in order to k ep the lips of the wound se- parate, the skin ought to be ex- panded, and the muscular fib clearly exposed. After these pre- paratory steps, either the instru- ment above described, or two loose metallic plates, are to be applied towards the centre of the hollow place or wound made by the inci- sion, and both flat plates brought into perfect, contact with the bare muscular fibres. If any irritability exist, or remain, in the system of the subjeft, the muscular fibres will be contracted and twisted in a manner similar to spasms ; or con- vulsive motions will be evident : every symptom, however, disap- pears on withdrawing the instru- ment, and again becomes manifest on re-applying it as before. But no motion whatever will be percepti- ble, if ali irritability be lost or de- stroyed, in which case the body may be considered as hrre< <W# . — In those instances, where persons have been deprived of life by intense cold, a moderate de of warmth should be previously applied, with a view to render the limbs flexible. Hence, this expe- riment cannot with propriety be undertaken, till all other rhe'ans (see Fkost, p. 331) of restoring animation have been ufisudteisfully employed. Whatever two metals be chosen, they will, with a few exceptions, produce those remarkable contrac- tions, when applied in the manner before described} but the most powerful arc, zinc and silver, or zinc and gold ; or in gi neral, zinc, tin, or lead, when used in com- bination with gold, silver, molyb- dena, steel, ol CO^peri These singular phendmlina take place in consequerrce of a mutual. commit-