New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-15
EXTRACTING METALS FROM THE BODY
BY ELECTRICITY.
To ne Editor Of The n. Y. Tribune.

To ne Editor of The n. Y. Tribune
SIR: During the past four months my attention has
been called to several articles my EectroChemical
Baths-some appearing in your valuable journal and
others in the daily paperwhch are incorrect in their
statements of facts well in their scientific detail
Knowing your desire to promulgate only the truth |
do not hesitate to ask you to give this communication
place in your columns and thus vindicate my claims
as IN inventor as well az enlghen your readers, who
may have been msled on this subject.
In the wear 1880 in the Of my business opera
ons in which made constant use of voltac batteries
nv hands from contact with cyanae OF silver became 80
liberated that was deprived of their use. sought
M. deal and surgical advice, but no relief Whatever
was obtained On the contrary the disease extended
% rapidy that was terrified for its ultimate results
Nv sufferings induced TO turn my attention to the
discovery If possible, of a remedy, finding medical
X i'll off red none After much reflection the idea oc-
cured to me of compounding chemical equivalent of
the substances by which had been poisoned in ordero
ubnit my diseased tissues to 1t, while reversing the
olac current Ny first essay had but little effect,
M felt persuaded was in the right path, and that
by perseverance, | would achieve the desired result.
Afer many experiments each successful than the
re,eding / at last was enabled to produce copper
plate W on which preciptaed the poisonous com
round extracted from my hands, which, by my treat
INT Mt, were completely cured.
II was not accident but serious reflection, study, and
experiment which enabled me to discover the comb-
nations of chemical equivalents by which the p0s0ns
were di-lodged from my system. IL was the applica-
ton of this discovery and not the sending cur
rent of electricity through my body that produced the
result aud to this day all my lmtators ana pretended
discoveries of modes of curing diseases by electricity
make no me nton whatever, and seem 10 De totally g-
rorant of wbat in truth il the foundation of my SYSTEM
and without which the application OF electrical cur,
rents to the human body for the cure OF disease would
be useless A.
al had -ilyprel metal
which nv nervous tissues had been mpregnated they
having been often in contact with cyanae OF silver as
have before mentioned. Mr.. Poey was at that time
an assistant in my business and devoted his Leisure 10
stu6yino chemistry with me- At his instance opened
an establishment in Broadway for the application OF
nv discovery to the Of disease by means OF cleo
rochemical baths, and placed him there as supenn'
tendent. But ar the process was novel; ana the pup
lie inedulous had to encounter the difficulties which
attend all real inventors and the establishment met
with 20 little pecubiary success that IN short time
was closed. Mr. Poey then, without informing me OF
biz design left for Paris and there presented 10 the
Academy Of Sciences memoir made up Of the notes
b. had tax en- while with me- and IN whlch ne MS
represented having made the discovery "ih0ut
knowing IL import ance. As soon a. knowledge
Of his conduct reached me, wrote 70 M. Dumas Oh
the Academy, giving him the true statement OF the
matter-wbicb, together with the sorry inquire Mr.
Poey cut when questioned by the members OF the
! Academy, clearly established my rights, and obliged
Mr. Poey TO withdraw bis and pretensions.
Since that time have been the oslect OF repeated
attacks from malicious persons, who suppose-for
cannot conceive Of any other reason-thought they
would be able to gain the confidence and patronage OF
the public by superseding me. One says that was
mechanic; another, that be has been able, by an i'm
lroved arrangement, to extract nitrate OF mercury
nom the human body and another, that he had been
.uspred with the idea of passing an electric current
through the BODY by the experiments OF the
Farraday and consequence, considered himself the
| discoverer-when by his statements he proved
bnse to b. ignorant of even the first principles OF the
sccnce; another although be has Vergnes Electro
Chemical Baths" blaz0ned on the sign over ms door
seeks TO question my rights inventor and endeaVoFs
TO iriure me in every way he can. Happily the want
81 knowledgt Of the subject displayed In bis articles
! ocrriyes them of the effect he intends.
! 10 sum I'D: do not claim a new invention, The
arrlcntion Of that experiment Of Fsraday liz
wFicb he using the body conductor transports an
| a,kaE and an acid from to another Neither
do claim the application of metal plates 70 the AKIN.
But DO claim that the conauctabilty Of the nerves
feuend- upon il organization, and consequently that
ro.Onous sub,taLce, combined accidentally with the
three elements Of which the nerves are composed,
NAV be- direngsged and expelled from the system by
chemical compound baths under the action OF vol
! tale current iudiciously applied
! yours respectfully, ~ SEkOSEs.
| York, heb. II, 1850