DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70267#0053
OF GEORGE FORSTER, FOR MURDEg. S7
machines.—4th, That Galvanism, whether administered by
means of troughs or piles, differs in its effects from those pro-
duced by the simple metallic coatings employed by Galvani,
(its original discoverer).—5th. That when the surfaces of the
nerves and muscles are armed with metallic coatings, the in-
fluence of the Galvanic batteries is conveyed to a greater
number of points, and acts with considerably more force in
producing contractions of the muscular fibre.—6th. That the
action of Galvanism on the heart is different from that on
other muscles. For when the heart is no longer suscep-
tible of the Galvanic influence, the other muscles remain
still excitable for a certain time. It is also remarkable that
the action produced by Galvanism on the auricles is different
from that produced on the ventricles of the heart, as is de-
monstrated in Experiment the tenth.-—7th. That Galvanism
affords very powerful means of resuscitation in cases of
suspended animation under common circumstances. The
remedies already adopted in asphyxia, drowning, &c. when
combined with the influence of Galvanism, will produce
much greater effect than either of them separately.
Mr. Aldini concludes with a short but accurate account
of the appearances exhibited on the dissection of the body,
which was performed with the greatest care and precision
by Mr. Carpue.—“ The blood in the head was not extra-
vasated, but several vessels were prodigiously swelled, and
the lungs were entirely deprived of air; there was a great
inflammation in the intestines, and the bladder was fully
distended with urine. In general, upon viewing the body,
it appeared that death had been immediately produced by
a real suffocation.”
The Professor employs much acute reasoning to prove,
that the first application of Galvanism to drowned persons,
would almost generally ensure their safe recovery : and re-
lative to the assistance he received from the Members of the
College of Surgeons, he expresses his heartfelt gratitude.
To
machines.—4th, That Galvanism, whether administered by
means of troughs or piles, differs in its effects from those pro-
duced by the simple metallic coatings employed by Galvani,
(its original discoverer).—5th. That when the surfaces of the
nerves and muscles are armed with metallic coatings, the in-
fluence of the Galvanic batteries is conveyed to a greater
number of points, and acts with considerably more force in
producing contractions of the muscular fibre.—6th. That the
action of Galvanism on the heart is different from that on
other muscles. For when the heart is no longer suscep-
tible of the Galvanic influence, the other muscles remain
still excitable for a certain time. It is also remarkable that
the action produced by Galvanism on the auricles is different
from that produced on the ventricles of the heart, as is de-
monstrated in Experiment the tenth.-—7th. That Galvanism
affords very powerful means of resuscitation in cases of
suspended animation under common circumstances. The
remedies already adopted in asphyxia, drowning, &c. when
combined with the influence of Galvanism, will produce
much greater effect than either of them separately.
Mr. Aldini concludes with a short but accurate account
of the appearances exhibited on the dissection of the body,
which was performed with the greatest care and precision
by Mr. Carpue.—“ The blood in the head was not extra-
vasated, but several vessels were prodigiously swelled, and
the lungs were entirely deprived of air; there was a great
inflammation in the intestines, and the bladder was fully
distended with urine. In general, upon viewing the body,
it appeared that death had been immediately produced by
a real suffocation.”
The Professor employs much acute reasoning to prove,
that the first application of Galvanism to drowned persons,
would almost generally ensure their safe recovery : and re-
lative to the assistance he received from the Members of the
College of Surgeons, he expresses his heartfelt gratitude.
To