Transcriber’s notes: The text of this e-book has been preserved in its original form, including inconsistent archaic spelling and capitalisation, and use of italics. The cover image of the book was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain. A TREATISE ON ELECTRICITY: WHEREIN Its various _phænomena_ are accounted for, and the cause of the _attraction_ and _gravitation_ of solids, assigned. TO WHICH IS ADDED, A short account, how the electrical _effluvia_ act upon the animal frame, and in what disorders the same may probably be applied with success, and in what not. By FRANCIS PENROSE Surgeon at _Bicester_. They who are universally allowed the very greatest, and wisest of men, have been, and still are, intent upon the making of _observations_, and _experiments_: and surely that must be in order to some further end. These would be vain, and wholely useless, were not some reflections made, some conclusions drawn, some theory or hypothesis raised from them. _Woodward_’s state of _physick_ and of _diseases_, p. 55. _OXFORD_, Printed at the THEATRE for SACKVILLE PARKER, Bookseller at _Oxford_, and W. OWEN, at _Homer’s Head, Temple-Bar, London_. MD CC LII. ON ELECTRICITY. The many surprising effects of _electricity_, and the great cures performed by it, one would imagine, should awaken the attention of all philosophers and physicians; but as these cures have been effected by random experiments, every body has admired, but no body seems to have considered how, or by what means, they were performed. Whence Notwithstanding all these surprising _phænomena_, from which many have entertained hopes of a great addition to the healing art; yet not one tolerable account has been given, how, or from what cause, these _phænomena_ proceeded; except what has been done by Mr. _Freke_, surgeon to _Bartholomew hospital_; whose admirable piece shews the great penetration of its worthy author, with whom I shall join in thinking “it may possibly be the beginning of much good.” One would think, this silence, on so interesting a subject, _in this enlightened age_, can proceed from nothing but a prejudice in favour of wrong principles of philosophy: That this is certainly the taste of the present age, M. _Freke_ seems very well convinced; for, at the end of his pamphlet, he takes notice of a show-man, who, “having published some experiments in electricity, and hearing that Mr. _Freke_’s piece was publishing, own’d, he was much affrightened, because of the hard fate, as he said, of his booksellers; but, before he had read two pages, he likewise owned he had recovered his spirits, when he found Mr. _Freke_ pretended to think for himself, and did not let Sr. _Isaac Newton_ think for him.”