The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1869-11-11

Electricity the Vital Force.

IHE science of chemistry has done
much OF late to define the character Of the
subtitle elements of nature, yet there re-
mains much undefned and probably un-
deflnable. A controversy has existed for
a long time between Psychologists and
electricians as to the nature of the vital
force OF the animal economy. While the
latter contend this force is but a condition
OF electricity, the former deny the identity
of the two.
1t is an admitted fact that there is a vital
principle pervading every species and va
rlety OF the animal kingdom, without
which 1T could not exist. Our object is
not only to show the analogy existing be-
tween 1t and the common electricity, but
further to prove the identity of the two
This power is so distinctively defined in
some OF the lower animals, that there can
be no mistaking its identity. Several
species OF fishes are now known to scien-
tific men to possess electrical power to a re-
markable degree.
The torpedo Isl fish of enormous muscu.
lar and nervous power having incorpo-
rated IN his body, well defined battery
capable OF emitting tremendous shocks.
The gymnOtus or American eel, is from
five to six feet long, and the most power
ful electric fish yet discovered. This dread
monster OF the deep coils himself up in
the mud, and gathers around him a school
of small fishes By his electric discharge
he renders them powerless and deyours
them at pleasure.
The eel is constructed upon the plan of
the Voltaic battery or pile He has ninety
SIX series of tubes or piles arranged hori-
zontally from head to tail. These tubes
contain an albuminous fluid, highly satu-
rated with saline matter. This natural ami
mai battery is connected with bundles of
nerves proceeding from the brain, anu dis
ulDuted throughout the electrical appar-
atus In multitudinous ramifications. Ordi-
narlly, TINS fish presents no more signs of
electricity than Voltaic battery, at rest
but when it is excited its power seems al
most unlimited. Then full grasp by the
hand of the monster has been known to
destroy human life, and even the horse
has been killed by its voluntary shocks. A
close inspection of the physiological struct-
ure OF man dIscloses perfect Voltaic bat
terry or pile. And the arrangement of its
solids and fluids is peculiarly fitted to the
generation and discharge of electricity.
10 the brain, spinal cord, and great sym-
pathetlc may be traced the source of cleo
trlcai power. The brain is the prime bat
tery or reservoir of electro magnetism,
cAclted at the pleasure of the voluntary
mind. by means of the multitudinous
ranincatlon OF nerves, perfect system of
telegraphing is established throughout the
entire organism These nerves, both the
mOtar and sensitive, pOlariZe with the
brain, producing direct and reflex action.
Through this medium, both motion and
sensation are communicated.
1t is IN fact the direct source of all men,
tai operations, familiarizing man with the
woiid OF things and phenomena. The
proofs In reference to mems electrical iden-
tIty are so incontrOvertible that no intelli-
gent physlOlOgist or naturalist can dOubt
that the vital force Of the body is electri-
city. 1t is demOnstrable fact that cur-
rents oil electricity are constantly passing
from the human system So strikinpIv Is
this illustrated that, in some instances. a
grasp OF the hand will transmit an electric
shock perceptible to the elbow. A posi-
i've hand ald on negative brain is fire.
quenlly unbearable, causing a sensation
similar To that made by an electric ma
CAihe, Inc SPARKS, external, and the
cracking OF the body so perceptible at
times, are but electrical phenomena. This
vital principle is 81 identified in certain
persons that gas will ignite by contact
with the tips of their fingers. The same
illumination can be accomplished by eyery
one II insulated and charged with electri-
city, which only increases the volume
of that already in the body. Further
proof is given in paralysis or loss of power
in the limbs, which can be traced to an
absence OF the vital force. In this con-
nection, if the paralyized organ be placed
in an electric circuit, its vitality is re-es-
tabllshed. No stronger proof can be
given OF their sameness, than in the direct
substitution of one for the other.-Ize-
graph Journal
As AN example of the pride of English
men, the Domino tells the following story:
while Marshal Sebastian was French
minister In this country, he sat next Lord
faimerston at city dinner, and, after lis
tening To all that was said in nraise of