Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-08-15

has settled upon it, without being at the
pains to raise the hand for the pur.
Ipose.
In the next experiment, a silver nee-
ole was introduced into the facial nerve,
one pole applied to it and the other to
the cheek. The effect was slight mo.
tons Of the face, and distension and
contraction Of the sides Of the nostrils.
resembling much the expression of dis.
dain. The effect on this and the pre.
ceding nerve was very slight, compar.
ed to that produced by DIR. IRE, and
so wildly painted by him. He says,
I"The expressions of rage, terror, an.
guish and CHASTITY smiles, were produc-
ed, and united their hideous expression
in the murderer's face, surprising the
widest expression of a Fuseli or a
Kean." In these experiments on the
muscles of expression, with the excep-
ton of the expression of disdain, as be-
fore mentioned, none Of those wonderful
plays Of the features were well marked
which are so manifest when the coun-
tenance is animated by the mind, in its
varying conditions Of wild passion and
Ipleasurable emotion.
The nerve going to the tongue Thy
poglossal or 9th pair was now touched
by the positive pole. AN interesting
result ensued in the production of mo-
ton of the tongue alone. The positive
wire applied to the silver needle insert.
ed in the facial nerve, and the negative
to the tip of the tongue, a very striking
effect was produced; characterising
this as one fthe most interesting expe.
riments performed. The result was
rapid vlbratory motion of the tongue,
compared by several gentlemen to that
OF serpent's tongue when alarmed or
enraged. There was also a swelling
or bullying out of the flesh or muscles
under the lower jaw, which was agita-
ted by quick vibratory action, and
one gentleman thought he heard the
teeth striking together. The next ex-
pertinent was the application of the
wire to the muscles which assist in clos.
ing the lips and mouth. The result
reminded me Of the action Of the lips
when person is muttering to himself,
or about to utter words in a soft, low
volce-or, in the words of a valued
friend, extracted from the notes fur
nished me, the effect in his view in this
experiment was as follows: "The APP
Ipllcatlon Of the Galvanic influence in
this experiment really did appear like
animation; the lips acquired motion
precisely like those of a person reading
to himself; and | do not know if this
was not the most natural and pleasing
experiment. The expression of coun-
tenance of the criminal in this stage of
the experiment, caused a stare of a.
mazemcnt in many of the spectators.
A nerve (median) in the arm was
now exposed, and an incision made in
to the middle of the little fnger-posi-
tive pole applied to the nerve, and ne
gatlve to the little finger. A most in
teresting and vivid display of the Gal
vanic power was the consequence
The arm raised itself from a horizontal
position with SO much strength and vio-
lence, as to require the exertion of
considerable power in the operator to
restrain its freedom. 1t repeatedly
made efforts resembling those of life to
jerk It's hand away from his grasp, and
when permitted, struck against the
chest with great violence, setting in
the attitude ola pugilist when prepared
to defend from the attack of an adver-
jsary. The motions of clenching and
Opening the hand, and the drawing up
and extending the arm, during the pro-
gress OF this experiment, was described
by one gentleman something like the
motion OF one sowing grain in a field, if
the body had been erect. The princi-
Ipal muscles Of the arm were contract
ed so as to form a swelling, and their
lines of demarkation were very con-
Ispicuous on the skin. During part of
the time the forearm continued in its
flexed position, and exhibited tremu-
lous motion, resembling that of the
limbs of an animal Immediately after
recelvlng a blow on the head. The
fingers were clenched on the hand in
this experiment. These phenomena
continued about halfa minute, and then
ceased. The poles of the battery were
then removed, and soon after re-appli-
led. The same phenomena ensued with
Iequal violence upon the repetition Of
this experiment several times.
The ulnar nerve was then transfxed
with an accupuncturing needle in the
elbow, and positive pole applied to 1t,
and negative to the little finger. The
effect produced was a rapid motion of
the fingers, but in a manner which was