Sentence:  From some excited bodies there proceeds for a certain distance to others <WSD>unexcited</WSD>, a light, which is reflected from the latter to the former, and in the reflexion snaps; and which upon touching the skin of a man or beast is felt with a smarting: This snapping light is call'd the "electrical Sparks". 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Not in a state of excitation.