Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-07-08

had time to act on, the battery. The positive wire
was now applied to needle inserted into the seat
of the phrenie nerve IA nerve distributed to the
diaphragm, and has an important influence 10 the
function Of breathng;) an incision was made down
to the tendinous head Of the diaphragm, and the
other wire (negative) applied to the incIs'on Inc
result was very similar to the proceeding expert
ment, with the addition Of an agitation of the
chest, compared By an intelligent gentleman pre-.
sent, and close observer, TO that OF person ef-
fected by hiccoush.
think il proper to notice, at this stage, Pc
cuIiar action of the Gavanic fluid on the nerves
and muscular fibre, observed BY myself. aud con-
6rmed by one of the gentlemen assisting me- -
The positive pole, whenever it touched the nerve
or muscle, produced an action similar to that
produced BY Tuner caustic when applied to an
exposed muscle.
A nerve above the middle arch OF the eye
brow (supraorbitaD was now exposed. and the Po.
s,tive pole applied to it. and the other below the
lower lid. The result was contraction of the
muscle, causing natural wink, and an opening
and closing Of tire eye.lds, which was compared
to that when the eye closes in living person
from fear of being injured By some offending %.
contraction Of the muscles Of the cheek, similar
to what 10 seen in mos, persons who suffer from
neuralgia of the face-or apty likened by a
friend to that motion of the cheek when an effort
is made by the motions of the face alone to drive
of an annoying fly, which has settled upon it,
without being at the pains to raise the hand Tor
the purpose.
In the next experiment silver needle was in.
troduced into the facial nerve. one pole applied
10 II and the other to the cheek. The effect was
slight motions Of the face, and distension and
ontraction Of the sides of the nostrils. resemb
ling much the expression of disdan. The effect
on this and the preceding nerve was very slight,
compared with that produced BY DR.. Ure. and
So vivdlv painted by HIN. He says. The ex.
pressions of rage. terror. anguish and CHASTITY
smiles, were produced, and united their hdeons
expression in the murderer's face. SURPRISING the
widest representation Of ,seIi or Kan "
In these experiments on the muscles OF express
sion, with the exception of the expression OF dis
dain, as before mentioned, none Of those wonder
full plays Of the features were we'll marked, which
are so manifest when the countenance Is AMI.
mated by the mind in its variDg conditions Of
wild passion and pleasurable emotion.
the nerve going to the tongue (hyposlossa' or
9Th par) was now touched by the positive pole
An interesting result ensued IN the production of
motion Of the tongue alone. The positive wire
applied to the silver needle inserted in the facial
nerve, aud the negative to the tip OF the tongue
a verv striking effect was produced; characteri'
sing this a. one of the most interesting expert.
mpnts performed. The result vas rapid vIbra.
tory motion nf the tongue, compared by several
gentlemen TO that Of a serpent's tongue when a
iarmed or enrased. There WAS swelling or
bugny out of the flesh muscles under the low
| er Jaw, which was aglta,ed by quick Migratory
action, and one gentleman thought he heard the
teeth striking tos, Their. The next experiment
was the application of the wire 10 the muscles
which assist in closing the lips ami mouth The
result reminded me OF the action OF the lips
when person is muttering to himself, or about
| 10 utter word. in a soft, low voice-or, in the
words Of a valued friend, extracted from the
notes furnished me, the effect 10 his view 10
this experiment was as follows: " The appica:
ton of the 0aIyanlc influence in this experiment
really did appear like animation; the lips acqui.
red motiun precisely like those of person
reading to himself; and | dn not know If this was
no, the most natural and pleasing experiment. :"
The expression Of countenance OF the criminal
in this stage Of the experiments, caused stare
of amaZemen Mt in many Of the spectators.
A nerve (median) in the arm was NV expo
sed, aud an incIsion made into the middle OF the
little fnger-posi,ive pole applied to the nerve,
and negative TO the little finger. A most inter
es,ing aud vivid display Of the Galvanic power
was the consequence. The arm raised itself
from a horizontal position with so much strength
and violence, as to require the eXer,ion OF con-
siderable power in the operator to restrain its
freedom. 1t repeatedly made efforts resembling
those Of life to jerk its hand way from his grasp,
and when permitted struck against the chest with
great violence. settling in the attitude OF pug
list when prepared to defend from the attack o
an adversary. The motions uf clenching and
opening the hand, and the drawing up and exten
ding the arm, during the progress Of this expert
ment, ~as described by one gentleman some
thing like the motion of one sowing grain in held
The principal muscles Of the arms were contract
cd so as TO form swelling, & their lines OF dema'
ka,ion were very conspicuous on the skin. During
part Of the time the fore arm continued IN its exet
position, and exhibiteda tremulous notion, re
r