The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-06-07
ELECTRICITY EARTHQUAKES -CH0L
ERA. &c,

Perhaps no subject is now engrossing the
attention Of The scientific so much as that Of
electricity. From its intimate relation to all
that is animate or inanimate filling all OF
form and void, >" 1t merits the sincere nvts-
tigation of the wise and the good. Ignorance
of its principles is leading many into error,
and some to irretrievable ruin. Its intlu nee
is so general and yet imperceptible, its power
so great and incomprehensible, that the super
stitious are but too willing to accredit it with
supernatural abilities, and minds are racktd
and ruined in their efforts to solve the myste-
ry which it presents Hence we are pleased
to witness any effort on the part of scientific
investigators tending to throw light on this
subject.
With much satisfaction, Therefore, W have
read Chapmans Principia, or Na,ure's First
Principles +; by L. L. Chapman, M H., Phlla-
delpha. DR.. G, processes, and with show
ing of truth, that he has discovered not OILY
the cause of earthquakes, cholera, and the
prime source OF all human affections, but that
he can also tell some time previous, when
earthquakes will occur, when there will be
likely 10 be cholera, &c., &c. lie funds his
theory upon the principle that light is eloctrci-
ity-that the different colored rays Of light
produce different effects uEon mind and mat
ter under different c.rcumstances-and has
mode by which he can fofetell the kind, or
color, of the rays Of light. If lis theory is
true, even thus far, it is worthy Of much at
tention on the part of the learned.
We cannot follow DR.. c. through all of his
interesting chapters, but will make few ex-
tracts at present, from the work placed before
us by kind friend.
Here is what he says about the effects of
light upon animal life:
"The powerful effects of light on animal
life and organization, are seen in the fact that
tadpoles, confined in the dark. never become
frogs. Infants, deprived of light, grow into
shapeless idiots Melancholy illustrations of
this fact are seen in the remarkable destitu-
ton of eyes, limbs, speech and intelligence,
among those born in extensive mines, who
never see the light OF day. Also, among
those born in the deep, dark gorges and ra-
vines of mountainous regions, The idiocy
resulting from the privation of light is descri0-
ed as being of a peculiarly hideous ald mel
ancholy nature.
The effects of light in cases of the small
pox have long been known, Here the NOR
bifc elements of the disease, are drawn from
the other parts Of the body to those which are
exposed to the light-the face, &c.-covcring
them with pus ules, whilst the rest of the sys-
tenn, not exposed to the light, remains almost
or entirely free. This fact places beyond
question the powerful, if not controlling, eff
fects of light, in the various phases of disease.
"T The physical effects of light on vegeta-
ton is seen in the fact shat vegetables sprout-
ing where there is no ight-in dark cellar,
&c.-Will produce, if anything, only long,
white vine, like root, no matter how much
heat is applied This shows, cor clusively,
that lights the great agent of vegetation,
without which the earth would be a barren
desert.
Hence, each pant, blossom, leaf and
spire of grass, gives testimony to the controll-
ing agency of light, to which, physically, ii
owes its existence.
"Yet an artificial current of electricity will
cause a vegetable to grow several inches in a
few hours, with or without light. This shows
that the physical effects of light on vegetation
are the same as those of electricity. And the
fact, that vegetation will not naturally develop
itself where there is no light, when taken il
connection with the last named fact, shows
conclusively that there is a natural deficiency
of electricity in the absence of light
4" Hence, the inference is unavoidable, tina
the atmosphere and elements are supplied
with electricity, more or less, by light from
distant sources. say from distant sources
because the earth is not self-iluminous.-
Hence, her supply of light from her own re
sources would be limited indeed"