galvanism meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

galvanism

nounalso spelled Galvanism

/ˈɡælvəˌnɪzəm/

Etymology From French galvanisme, after physiologist Luigi Alyisio Galvani (1737–1798) + -isme. By surface analysis, galvano- + -ism.

Usually The chemical generation of electricity.

Usually The (therapeutic) use of electricity directly applied to the body.

Perhaps a corpse would be re-animated; galvanism had given token of such things: perhaps the component parts of a creature might be manufactured, brought together, and endued with vital warmth.1831 October 15, Mary W[ollstonecraft] Shelley, “Introduction”, in Frankenstein: Or, The Modern Prometheus (Standard Novels; IX), 3rd edition, London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, […], published 31 October 1831, →OCLC, page x:
The sudden application of galvanism to bands of savages may fairly rank as a new sensation, and they, thinking the wire held this strange and mysterious power, wisely left it alone.1887, Harriet W. Daly, Digging, Squatting, and Pioneering Life in the Northern Territory of South Australia, page 101:

1 more example

Erb and Remak in Germany, Beard and Rockwell and Althans in America, have used it with advantage, in the forms of galvanisms and faradisms, in the treatment of joint troubles.1892, Journal of Electrotherapeutics: Volume 10:

Derived terms: psychogalvanism
Related terms: galvanic, galvanical, galvanically

Galvanism

noun

Rare Rare form of galvanism.

I connected, by means of one chain of moisture, the heads of two or three calves, and observed that by this combination the force of the Galvanism was exerted with more energy: a frog, which was not affected by touching one head, experienced violent contractions when applied to a series of several heads connected together.1803, John Aldini [i.e., Giovanni Aldini], edited by [Robert Hooper], An Account of the Late Improvements in Galvanism, with a Series of Curious and Interesting Experiments Performed before the Commissioners of the French National Institute, and Repeated Lately in the Anatomical Theatres of London. […], London: […] [F]or Cuthell and Martin, […], and J[ohn] Murray, […], by Wilks and Taylor, […], page 4:
Professor [Christoph Heinrich] Pfaff considered that the agent in Galvanism is not electricity, but one sui generis; that the metals are the conductors: and that this agent is either associated or identical with the principle of life.1816, M[ichael] Donovan, Essay on the Origin, Progress, and Present State of Galvanism: Containing Investigations, Experimental and Speculative, of the Principal Doctrines Offered for the Explanation of Its Phenomena; and a Statement of a New Hypothesis, Dublin: […] Graisberry and Campbell, […] Hodges and M‘Arthur, […], pages 10–11:

4 more examples

The places which tin and lead should have occupied in the scale of capability of being heated by Galvanism, could not be ascertained in these experiments, because they melted before they acquired a red heat.1830, Edward Smedley, editor, Encyclopædia Metropolitana; or, Universal Dictionary of Knowledge, on an Original Plan: Comprising the Twofold Advantages of a Philosophical and an Alphabetical Arrangement, with Appropriate Engravings, 2nd division (Mixed Sciences), volume II, London: […] Baldwin and Cradock, […], page 179, column 2:
Even in cases of suspended animation, Galvanism has been found a re-animating and wonderful power.1842, M[ichael] La Beaume, On Galvanism, and Its Extraordinary Efficacy in the Cure of Stomach, Liver, Nervous, and Other Disorders of Long Continuance, after the Failure of Mercurial and Other Remedies, […], London: […] Highley, […]; and sold by Hookham, […]; and Warr, […], pages vii–viii:
In short, Galvanism may be employed to act mechanically, chemically, or medicinally, without inconvenience or annoyance to the patient.1848, W[illia]m R. Massey, “Notice”, in A Defence of Medical Galvanism, Containing a Few Cheering Stubborn Facts, Especially Interesting to the Afflicted, and with Which All Should Become Familiar. […], Baltimore, Md.: […] Sherwood & Co. […]:
When I first commenced in London, it may be well supposed I had nothing but uphill work, for scarcely a single medical man in the metropolis was in favour of Galvanism, but on the contrary all were opposed to it, and ridiculed the idea of their patients resorting to anything else but their pills and mixtures.[1883], W[illiam] H[ooper] Halse, W. H. Halse on the Extraordinary Remedial Efficacy of Medical Galvanism When Applied by Means of Halse’s Galvanic Apparatus, →OCLC, page 1: