XVII. An experimental inquiry undertaken with the view of ascertaining whether any, and what signs of current electricity are manifested during the organic process of secretion in living animals, being an attempt to apply some of the discoveries of Faraday to physiology

The conjecture and experiment of Wollaston, the cautious opinion of Prout, the experiments of Donné and of Matteucci, are so well known that a mere allusion to them may be deemed sufficient. Becquerel, in speaking of Matteucci’s experiment, adds, “Si de nouvelles expériences confirment les résultats, il faudrait en conclure réellement que les organes qui sécrètent un liquide acide ou alcalin, ont des facultés électriques analogues à celles de la pile.” Pouillet inserted one of the platinum extremities of a galvanometer into the jugular vein of a rabbit, the other into the carotid artery, without any effect being produced on the needle. Müller says, “With the galvanometer no electric current can be discovered in the blood. I perceived no variation of the magnetic needle of the multiplier, even when I inserted one wire into an artery of a living animal, the other into a vein.”