It is however much to be wished, that in addition to the knowledge already acquired in regard to Galvanism, some convenient method could be discovered of increasing or lessening its action on the animal fluids; by which means the advantages of the medical administration of this subtle agent would be rendered more certain and more effectual. DISSERTATION ON _ANIMAL ELECTRICITY:_ READ IN THE INSTITUTE OF BOLOGNA, IN THE YEAR 1793,[3] BY J. ALDINI. I. While our Academy was congratulating itself on the progress made by the doctrine of animal electricity, its exultation was in some measure checked by an objection brought against it, which did not attack any one part of it, but the whole theory. If the contractions in animal bodies, said its opponents, are produced merely by the electricity of metals, how degraded is that electricity which at first was supposed to reside in animal bodies, since it is now found to be subservient to the electricity borrowed from metals! I heard repeated objections of this kind while labouring under a severe indisposition; but being restored to health by the skill and attention of Galvani, I took the earliest opportunity to inquire after the success of his animal electricity, and at the same time promised him every assistance in my power in the prosecution of his researches, for which I always entertained a great fondness. He accepted my offer; and as I had now recovered my former strength and vigour, I was anxiously desirous to defend the cause of animal electricity, attacked and almost exploded, amidst a variety of contradictory opinions, and with this view to undertake a new series of experiments.