[230]The immortalHartleyhas demonstrated that all our motions are originally automatic, and generally produced by the action of tangible things on the muscular fibre.The common actions of adults may be distinguished into two kinds; voluntary actions, and mixed automatic actions. The first are produced by ideas, or by ideas connected with passions. The second by impression, or by pleasure and pain.In voluntary action, regular associations of ideas and muscular motions exist: as when a chemist performs a pre-conceived experiment.In mixed automatic actions, the simple motions produced by impression are connected with series of motions formerly voluntary, but now produced without the intervention of ideas: as when a person accustomed to play on the harpsichord, from accidentally striking a key, is induced to perform the series of motions which produce a well-remembered tune.Evidently the muscular actions produced by nitrous oxide are mixed automatic motions.[231]See R. IV. Div. I. page 478.[232]R. IV. Div. I. page 467.[233]That of Brown modified by his disciples.[234]Supposing the increase or diminution of living action when produced by different agents, uniform, similar and differing only in degree; it would follow, that certain mixtures of hydrocarbonate and nitrous oxide, or hydrogene and nitrous oxide, ought to be capable of supporting the life of animals for a much longer time than pure nitrous oxide. From the experiments inRes. III. Div. I. it appears however, that this is not the case.It would seem, that in life, a variety of different corpuscular changes are capable of producing phænomena apparently similar; so that in the science of living action, we are incapable of reasoning concerning causes from effects.[235]Annales de Chimie, 100; and Mr. Tilloch’s Phil. Magazine. 24.[236]I regret much that I could not procure Dr. Menzies’s observations on Respiration, while I was making the experiments on the capacity of the lungs: they would probably have saved me some labor.[237]If loosely combined carbon exists in venous blood, hydrogene may probably dissolve a portion of it when respired and become slightly carbonated. At least there is as much probability in the supposition that carbon in loose affinity may combine with hydrogene at 98° as that it may combine with oxygene.[238]Dr.Beddoeshas since favoured me with the following account of these facts.“Mr. Humboldt (ueber die gereizte Faser I. 473, 1797) quotes part of a letter from Dr. Ash, in which it is said thatif two finely polished plates of homogeneous zinc be moistened and laid together, little effect follows—but if zinc and silver be tried in the same way, the whole surface of the silver will be covered with oxydated zinc. Lead and quicksilver act as powerfully on each other, and so do iron and copper.—Mr. Humboldt (p. 474) says that, in repeating this experiment, he saw air-bubbles ascend, which he supposes to have been hydrogene gas from the decomposition of water—When he placed zinc simply on moist glass, the same phænomena took place, but more slowly and later. The quantity of oxyd of zinc upon the glass alone was in 20 hours to that on the silver as one to three.In a very ingenious but obscurely written tract by Mr. Ritter, entitled,Evidence that the galvanic action exists in organic nature,8vo. Jena, 1800—The author observes, that the care of Dr. Ash and Mr. Humboldt that the metals should touch each other in as many points as possible was superfluous, even if we could grant that two metallic plates might be made by polishing, to touch in a number of points. To shew that it was sufficient if by touching in one point only they should form a compleat galvanic circle, he dropped a single drop of distilled water upon the bust of a large silver coin. A piece of pure zinc was placed with its one end on the edge of the coin, while the other was supported by a bit of glass. The drop of water was neither in contact with the glass nor with the point at which the metals touched. The materials were left in this situation for four hours at the temperature of 68°. On taking them apart, the water had become quite milky and had half disappeared; and Mr. Ritter actually separated a quantity of white oxide that had been produced in the experiment.The pieces of metal were cleaned and laid together in the same manner, only that now a piece of paper was put between the metals at their former point of contact. In four hours first, and afterwards in ten, a faint ring of oxide only had been produced of which the quantity could not be estimated, nor could it be separated. In this case, the zinc had scarce lost any thing of its splendour; in the former it had been corroded. In many repetitions of the experiment, he found that far more oxide was formed when the metals touched, than when they were separated to the slightest distance by an insolating body, even air.On exposing these apparatuses with somewhat more water to a considerable heat for four minutes, the water in the interrupted circle continued quite clear, while that in the other had become milk-white.The same phænomena were presented by other pairs of metals in a degree proportional to their galvanic activity; viz. by zinc and molybdæna, zinc and bismuth, zinc and copper, as also with tin and silver, tin and molybdæna, and lead and silver. The experiment with tin was particularly decisive, for when in contact with no other metal it was scarcely at all oxydated by water, though oxydation took place when tin was brought into contact with silver, and both were connected at the other end by a drop of water—What therefore took place in Dr. Ash’s experiment, arose from an aggregation of galvanic circles of different forms.By the foregoing experiments, concludes Mr. Ritter, which though capable of the most various modifications, uniformly coincide in their main result, it is abundantly proved thatgalvanic circles can be formed of merely inorganic bodies, by whose completion there is produced an action which ceases when the circle is opened. The manner in which this has been shewn, proves also thatthis action can effectuate sensible modifications in organic bodies; and the process by which these modifications have been effected, made it evident that theywere not consequences of a momentary action of the circle, but of an action that is kept up while the circle remains entire; for the process which brought this action under the cognizance of the senses went on, while the circle was unbroken, and its figure not brought back to that of a line.It is scarce necessary to observe that the experiments here quoted, are far from being the only ones on which the above conclusions rest.”T. B.[239]Possibly a ratio exists between the solubility of gases in water, and the solubility of water in gases. It is probable from Mr. Wm. Henry’s curious experiments on the muriatic acid, that the absolute quantity of water inmanygases, may be ascertained by means of its decomposition by the electric spark.
[230]The immortalHartleyhas demonstrated that all our motions are originally automatic, and generally produced by the action of tangible things on the muscular fibre.The common actions of adults may be distinguished into two kinds; voluntary actions, and mixed automatic actions. The first are produced by ideas, or by ideas connected with passions. The second by impression, or by pleasure and pain.In voluntary action, regular associations of ideas and muscular motions exist: as when a chemist performs a pre-conceived experiment.In mixed automatic actions, the simple motions produced by impression are connected with series of motions formerly voluntary, but now produced without the intervention of ideas: as when a person accustomed to play on the harpsichord, from accidentally striking a key, is induced to perform the series of motions which produce a well-remembered tune.Evidently the muscular actions produced by nitrous oxide are mixed automatic motions.
[230]The immortalHartleyhas demonstrated that all our motions are originally automatic, and generally produced by the action of tangible things on the muscular fibre.
The common actions of adults may be distinguished into two kinds; voluntary actions, and mixed automatic actions. The first are produced by ideas, or by ideas connected with passions. The second by impression, or by pleasure and pain.
In voluntary action, regular associations of ideas and muscular motions exist: as when a chemist performs a pre-conceived experiment.
In mixed automatic actions, the simple motions produced by impression are connected with series of motions formerly voluntary, but now produced without the intervention of ideas: as when a person accustomed to play on the harpsichord, from accidentally striking a key, is induced to perform the series of motions which produce a well-remembered tune.
Evidently the muscular actions produced by nitrous oxide are mixed automatic motions.
[231]See R. IV. Div. I. page 478.
[231]See R. IV. Div. I. page 478.
[232]R. IV. Div. I. page 467.
[232]R. IV. Div. I. page 467.
[233]That of Brown modified by his disciples.
[233]That of Brown modified by his disciples.
[234]Supposing the increase or diminution of living action when produced by different agents, uniform, similar and differing only in degree; it would follow, that certain mixtures of hydrocarbonate and nitrous oxide, or hydrogene and nitrous oxide, ought to be capable of supporting the life of animals for a much longer time than pure nitrous oxide. From the experiments inRes. III. Div. I. it appears however, that this is not the case.It would seem, that in life, a variety of different corpuscular changes are capable of producing phænomena apparently similar; so that in the science of living action, we are incapable of reasoning concerning causes from effects.
[234]Supposing the increase or diminution of living action when produced by different agents, uniform, similar and differing only in degree; it would follow, that certain mixtures of hydrocarbonate and nitrous oxide, or hydrogene and nitrous oxide, ought to be capable of supporting the life of animals for a much longer time than pure nitrous oxide. From the experiments inRes. III. Div. I. it appears however, that this is not the case.
It would seem, that in life, a variety of different corpuscular changes are capable of producing phænomena apparently similar; so that in the science of living action, we are incapable of reasoning concerning causes from effects.
[235]Annales de Chimie, 100; and Mr. Tilloch’s Phil. Magazine. 24.
[235]Annales de Chimie, 100; and Mr. Tilloch’s Phil. Magazine. 24.
[236]I regret much that I could not procure Dr. Menzies’s observations on Respiration, while I was making the experiments on the capacity of the lungs: they would probably have saved me some labor.
[236]I regret much that I could not procure Dr. Menzies’s observations on Respiration, while I was making the experiments on the capacity of the lungs: they would probably have saved me some labor.
[237]If loosely combined carbon exists in venous blood, hydrogene may probably dissolve a portion of it when respired and become slightly carbonated. At least there is as much probability in the supposition that carbon in loose affinity may combine with hydrogene at 98° as that it may combine with oxygene.
[237]If loosely combined carbon exists in venous blood, hydrogene may probably dissolve a portion of it when respired and become slightly carbonated. At least there is as much probability in the supposition that carbon in loose affinity may combine with hydrogene at 98° as that it may combine with oxygene.
[238]Dr.Beddoeshas since favoured me with the following account of these facts.“Mr. Humboldt (ueber die gereizte Faser I. 473, 1797) quotes part of a letter from Dr. Ash, in which it is said thatif two finely polished plates of homogeneous zinc be moistened and laid together, little effect follows—but if zinc and silver be tried in the same way, the whole surface of the silver will be covered with oxydated zinc. Lead and quicksilver act as powerfully on each other, and so do iron and copper.—Mr. Humboldt (p. 474) says that, in repeating this experiment, he saw air-bubbles ascend, which he supposes to have been hydrogene gas from the decomposition of water—When he placed zinc simply on moist glass, the same phænomena took place, but more slowly and later. The quantity of oxyd of zinc upon the glass alone was in 20 hours to that on the silver as one to three.In a very ingenious but obscurely written tract by Mr. Ritter, entitled,Evidence that the galvanic action exists in organic nature,8vo. Jena, 1800—The author observes, that the care of Dr. Ash and Mr. Humboldt that the metals should touch each other in as many points as possible was superfluous, even if we could grant that two metallic plates might be made by polishing, to touch in a number of points. To shew that it was sufficient if by touching in one point only they should form a compleat galvanic circle, he dropped a single drop of distilled water upon the bust of a large silver coin. A piece of pure zinc was placed with its one end on the edge of the coin, while the other was supported by a bit of glass. The drop of water was neither in contact with the glass nor with the point at which the metals touched. The materials were left in this situation for four hours at the temperature of 68°. On taking them apart, the water had become quite milky and had half disappeared; and Mr. Ritter actually separated a quantity of white oxide that had been produced in the experiment.The pieces of metal were cleaned and laid together in the same manner, only that now a piece of paper was put between the metals at their former point of contact. In four hours first, and afterwards in ten, a faint ring of oxide only had been produced of which the quantity could not be estimated, nor could it be separated. In this case, the zinc had scarce lost any thing of its splendour; in the former it had been corroded. In many repetitions of the experiment, he found that far more oxide was formed when the metals touched, than when they were separated to the slightest distance by an insolating body, even air.On exposing these apparatuses with somewhat more water to a considerable heat for four minutes, the water in the interrupted circle continued quite clear, while that in the other had become milk-white.The same phænomena were presented by other pairs of metals in a degree proportional to their galvanic activity; viz. by zinc and molybdæna, zinc and bismuth, zinc and copper, as also with tin and silver, tin and molybdæna, and lead and silver. The experiment with tin was particularly decisive, for when in contact with no other metal it was scarcely at all oxydated by water, though oxydation took place when tin was brought into contact with silver, and both were connected at the other end by a drop of water—What therefore took place in Dr. Ash’s experiment, arose from an aggregation of galvanic circles of different forms.By the foregoing experiments, concludes Mr. Ritter, which though capable of the most various modifications, uniformly coincide in their main result, it is abundantly proved thatgalvanic circles can be formed of merely inorganic bodies, by whose completion there is produced an action which ceases when the circle is opened. The manner in which this has been shewn, proves also thatthis action can effectuate sensible modifications in organic bodies; and the process by which these modifications have been effected, made it evident that theywere not consequences of a momentary action of the circle, but of an action that is kept up while the circle remains entire; for the process which brought this action under the cognizance of the senses went on, while the circle was unbroken, and its figure not brought back to that of a line.It is scarce necessary to observe that the experiments here quoted, are far from being the only ones on which the above conclusions rest.”T. B.
[238]Dr.Beddoeshas since favoured me with the following account of these facts.
“Mr. Humboldt (ueber die gereizte Faser I. 473, 1797) quotes part of a letter from Dr. Ash, in which it is said thatif two finely polished plates of homogeneous zinc be moistened and laid together, little effect follows—but if zinc and silver be tried in the same way, the whole surface of the silver will be covered with oxydated zinc. Lead and quicksilver act as powerfully on each other, and so do iron and copper.—Mr. Humboldt (p. 474) says that, in repeating this experiment, he saw air-bubbles ascend, which he supposes to have been hydrogene gas from the decomposition of water—When he placed zinc simply on moist glass, the same phænomena took place, but more slowly and later. The quantity of oxyd of zinc upon the glass alone was in 20 hours to that on the silver as one to three.
In a very ingenious but obscurely written tract by Mr. Ritter, entitled,Evidence that the galvanic action exists in organic nature,8vo. Jena, 1800—The author observes, that the care of Dr. Ash and Mr. Humboldt that the metals should touch each other in as many points as possible was superfluous, even if we could grant that two metallic plates might be made by polishing, to touch in a number of points. To shew that it was sufficient if by touching in one point only they should form a compleat galvanic circle, he dropped a single drop of distilled water upon the bust of a large silver coin. A piece of pure zinc was placed with its one end on the edge of the coin, while the other was supported by a bit of glass. The drop of water was neither in contact with the glass nor with the point at which the metals touched. The materials were left in this situation for four hours at the temperature of 68°. On taking them apart, the water had become quite milky and had half disappeared; and Mr. Ritter actually separated a quantity of white oxide that had been produced in the experiment.
The pieces of metal were cleaned and laid together in the same manner, only that now a piece of paper was put between the metals at their former point of contact. In four hours first, and afterwards in ten, a faint ring of oxide only had been produced of which the quantity could not be estimated, nor could it be separated. In this case, the zinc had scarce lost any thing of its splendour; in the former it had been corroded. In many repetitions of the experiment, he found that far more oxide was formed when the metals touched, than when they were separated to the slightest distance by an insolating body, even air.
On exposing these apparatuses with somewhat more water to a considerable heat for four minutes, the water in the interrupted circle continued quite clear, while that in the other had become milk-white.
The same phænomena were presented by other pairs of metals in a degree proportional to their galvanic activity; viz. by zinc and molybdæna, zinc and bismuth, zinc and copper, as also with tin and silver, tin and molybdæna, and lead and silver. The experiment with tin was particularly decisive, for when in contact with no other metal it was scarcely at all oxydated by water, though oxydation took place when tin was brought into contact with silver, and both were connected at the other end by a drop of water—What therefore took place in Dr. Ash’s experiment, arose from an aggregation of galvanic circles of different forms.
By the foregoing experiments, concludes Mr. Ritter, which though capable of the most various modifications, uniformly coincide in their main result, it is abundantly proved thatgalvanic circles can be formed of merely inorganic bodies, by whose completion there is produced an action which ceases when the circle is opened. The manner in which this has been shewn, proves also thatthis action can effectuate sensible modifications in organic bodies; and the process by which these modifications have been effected, made it evident that theywere not consequences of a momentary action of the circle, but of an action that is kept up while the circle remains entire; for the process which brought this action under the cognizance of the senses went on, while the circle was unbroken, and its figure not brought back to that of a line.
It is scarce necessary to observe that the experiments here quoted, are far from being the only ones on which the above conclusions rest.”
T. B.
[239]Possibly a ratio exists between the solubility of gases in water, and the solubility of water in gases. It is probable from Mr. Wm. Henry’s curious experiments on the muriatic acid, that the absolute quantity of water inmanygases, may be ascertained by means of its decomposition by the electric spark.
[239]Possibly a ratio exists between the solubility of gases in water, and the solubility of water in gases. It is probable from Mr. Wm. Henry’s curious experiments on the muriatic acid, that the absolute quantity of water inmanygases, may be ascertained by means of its decomposition by the electric spark.