Galvanism is now applied to persons apparently dead, from drowning, hanging, or exposure to noxious gases. In such cases, the body should be divested of its clothing, and placed in a warm bed nearly approaching the natural temperature, and at the same time slight Galvanic shocks should be passed through the body, in such a direction as to affect the heart.—Thus by combining this, with the usual means, the most advantageous consequences may be expected. It may be laid down as a principle, that, in all cases where animation is suspended, and the principle of irritability not destroyed, the stimulus of Galvanism and electricity, if prudently employed, may rouse the dormant energies of vitality, and restore the system to its natural state of activity. CHAP. XII. _The Identity of Galvanism with Electricity considered._ It has been supposed by many, that the phenomena of Galvanism and electricity depend upon the _same_ cause. Others, however, controvert this opinion, and affirm that Galvanism is a fluid _sui generis_. That there is a great similarity between some of the phenomena of Galvanism and those of the electric fluid, is evident; but this analogy cannot be traced in every instance. It is not our province to enter into this controversy; we shall only relate a few facts upon which it is founded, and leave the speculative reader to draw from them his own conclusions. _Facts which seem to indicate that Galvanism and Electricity are the same Fluid._ Both Galvanism and electricity exhibit light, in their passage from one conductor to another, through an intervening space of air. Both affect an electrometer. The deflagration of metals may be produced by either. Electricity, as well as Galvanism, produces muscular contractions in animals, a short time after death. _Facts in which Galvanism and Electricity differ from each other._ Some _good_ conductors of electricity are not good conductors of Galvanism; as was shewn by Dr. Fowler. The manner of exciting Galvanism is different from that of exciting electricity;—the former being collected most copiously from _conductors_, and the latter from _non-conductors_. The electric fluid affects the sense of smelling—but no smell has ever been observed from Galvanism. The electric shock operates on the body by a sudden and percussive effect—while the one which follows the Galvanic process seems to arise from a constant current, attended by a jarring and tremulous sensation. In the decomposition of water by Galvanism, hydrogen gas is formed at one of the wires, and oxygen at the other. In that by electricity, both gases arise from the same wire. FINIS. INDEX TO THE EPITOME OF ELECTRICITY. A