Galvanism

Not to be confused with galvanization.
Galvanism: electrodes touch a frog, and the legs twitch into the upward position[1]

Galvanism is a term invented by the late 18th-century physicist and chemist Alessandro Volta to refer to the generation of electric current by chemical action.[2] The term also came to refer to the discoveries of its namesake, Luigi Galvani, specifically the generation of electric current within biological organisms and the contraction/convulsion of biological muscle tissue upon contact with electric current.[3] While Volta theorized and later demonstrated the phenomenon of his "Galvanism" to be replicable with otherwise inert materials, Galvani thought his discovery to be a confirmation of the existence of "animal electricity," a vital force which gave life to organic matter.[4]

  1. ^ David Ames Wells, The science of common things: a familiar explanation of the first principles of physical science. For schools, families, and young students., Publisher Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman, 1859, 323 pages (page 290)
  2. ^ "Luigi Galvani - Engineering and Technology History Wiki". ethw.org. 3 February 2016. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
  3. ^ "Luigi Galvani | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
  4. ^ Bresadola, Marco (1998). "Medicine and science in the life of Luigi Galvani (1737–1798)". Brain Research Bulletin. 46 (5): 367–380. doi:10.1016/S0361-9230(98)00023-9. PMID 9739000. S2CID 13035403.