In short, we shall find, first, that every thing which increases the quantity of oxygen in organized bodies, increases at the same time their excitability. Secondly, That whatever diminishes the quantity of oxygen, diminishes the excitability. The excitability of animals, made to breathe oxygen gas, or to take the oxygenated muriate of potash, or acid fruits, is very much increased. On the contrary, when persons have inspired carbonic acid, or azotic gas, or have taken into the system substances which have a strong affinity for oxygen, and therefore tend to abstract it, such as hydrogen, and spirits, the excitability becomes very much diminished. When we sleep, in consequence of the excitability being exhausted, the breathing becomes free, and a great quantity of oxygen is received by the lungs, and combined with the blood, while very little of it becomes exhausted by the actions of the body, for none, excepting those which are called involuntary motions, are carried on during sound sleep: so that in a few hours the body recovers the excitability which it had lost: it is again sensible of the impressions of external objects, and with the return of light we wake. These facts afford satisfactory proofs that the excitability of the body is proportioned to the oxygen which it receives: but in what manner it produces this state of susceptibility, and how it is exhausted by stimulants, we have yet to learn. The following theory may perhaps throw some light upon the subject. I propose it, however, merely as an hypothesis, for we have no direct proofs of it, but it seems to account for many phenomena. It is now well known, that while the limb of an animal possesses excitability, the smallest quantity of electricity sent along the principal nerve leading to it, produces contractions similar to those produced by the will. This is instanced in the common galvanic experiment with the limb of a frog, which I had formerly occasion to show. From the effects produced, when a stream of electricity is sent through water, I think it not improbable that hydrogen and electricity may be identical. When a piece of zinc and silver are connected together, and the zinc is put in a situation to decompose water, and oxidate, a current of hydrogen gas will separate from the silver wire, provided this be immersed under water; but when it is not, a current of electricity passes, which is sensible to the electrometer.