A Treatise on Electricity: Wherein its various phænomena are accounted for, and the cause of the attraction and gravitation of solids, assigned. To which is added, a short account, how the electrical effluvia act upon the animal frame, and in what disorders the same may probably be applied with success, and in what not

In Short

This treatise serves as a provocative challenge to the prevailing scientific orthodoxy of the 1750s. Rather than accepting Isaac Newton’s theories of gravity as an inherent property of matter, the author proposes a unified theory based on electrical effluvia and the mechanical properties of air. By analyzing friction-based experiments and electrical phenomena, the book attempts to explain everything from the movement of planets to the cure of human ailments. It remains a fascinating artifact of early modern science, capturing a moment when natural philosophy began to transition from pure speculation toward experimental inquiry.

The Story

The narrative begins with a critique of the scientific community’s reliance on passive observation. The author argues that the "enlightened age" has become trapped by a prejudice in favor of established theories, specifically those attributed to Isaac Newton. The central thesis is that modern philosophers have mistakenly placed the "effect for the cause" by labeling the mysterious pull between bodies as "attraction" or "gravitation." Instead, the author contends that what we perceive as gravity is simply the result of external pressure exerted by the atmosphere and the motion of light particles.

To build this argument, the author systematically deconstructs the nature of fire, light, and air. Through a series of experiments—ranging from the operation of electrical machines to the behavior of cannonballs in flight—the book posits that air, light, and fire are essentially the same substance in different states of motion. Light, the author suggests, is merely "gross air" ground into finer particles through friction. This process of agitation, whether performed by a glass globe in a laboratory or by the movement of planetary bodies through space, creates a current. This current is not an inherent property of the objects themselves, but a force imposed by the surrounding medium.

The argument then shifts to the macro scale, applying these electrical mechanics to the universe. By comparing the celestial mechanics of the solar system to the internal workings of a still, the author illustrates how the sun acts as the ultimate agent of motion. In this model, the sun’s heat "melts" and expands the air, which is then condensed and returned, creating a perpetual cycle that mimics the experimental results seen on a workbench.

Finally, the work pivots from the celestial to the corporeal. If electricity is the fundamental force driving the universe, it must also dictate the health of the human body. The author examines the "animal frame," proposing that human health relies on the proper flow of this subtle fluid through the nerves. Disorders like palsies are framed as "obstructions" that can be cleared by the vigorous application of electrical current. However, the author offers a stern medical warning: because electricity acts as a stimulant that increases heat and motion, it is highly dangerous for those suffering from fevers or inflammations. The book concludes by reconciling these mechanical theories with contemporary medical practices, suggesting that the same "volatile and penetrating" qualities that drive the stars may, if handled with caution, restore the broken equilibrium of the human body.

How It Unfolds

The critique of orthodoxy The author opens by lamenting the silence of physicians regarding the potential of electricity, arguing that random experimentation without a solid hypothesis is ultimately futile. He specifically targets the intellectual blind spots created by unquestioning adherence to Newtonian principles.

The nature of fire and air The middle section establishes the core theory that light, air, and fire are identical substances modified by motion. By citing experiments with mercury, wool, and vacuum chambers, the author proves that friction is the true source of electrical phenomena.

The rejection of gravity The argument takes a bold turn by claiming that solids possess no inherent power of attraction. Through experiments involving sinking weights and polished marble slabs, the author demonstrates that the pressure of the atmosphere is the true agent of what we falsely call gravitation.

The universal mechanism Expanding the scope, the author treats the solar system as a gargantuan electrical machine. He explains planetary motion as a consequence of solar heat driving the circulation of air, creating a cosmic cycle of expansion and condensation.

The therapeutic application The book concludes by applying these mechanics to human physiology. By categorizing the body’s nerves as channels for this fluid, the author differentiates between conditions that require electrical stimulation and those that would be worsened by it.

The People

The author, Francis Penrose, presents himself as a pragmatic surgeon at Bicester who values empirical observation over abstract mathematics. He is a skeptic of established "great men" and seeks to provide a physical, mechanical explanation for natural phenomena that others have deemed mysterious.

Mr. Freke, a surgeon to Bartholomew Hospital, serves as the primary intellectual ally. Penrose frequently quotes Freke to validate his own departure from Newtonian physics. Freke is characterized as a man who "pretended to think for himself," representing the ideal of the independent, experimental philosopher whom Penrose seeks to emulate.

Mr. Hauksbee appears through his extensive experimental records. His findings on electrical effluvia and the behavior of light in vacuums provide the primary evidence for Penrose’s entire theory. Hauksbee acts as the bridge between raw data and theory; his fascination with how small-scale electrical experiments mimic the "grand phenomena of the universe" gives Penrose the justification to extend his findings to the planets themselves.

Finally, the "show-man" mentioned in the text serves as a representative of the general public—someone initially intimidated by the complexity of scientific literature, but who finds relief upon realizing that common sense and independent thought can trump the heavy weight of academic authority.

In Its Own Voice

When addressing why science has stalled, the author identifies a major barrier to progress:

One would think, this silence, on so interesting a subject, in this enlightened age, can proceed from nothing but a prejudice in favour of wrong principles of philosophy.

In explaining the electrical machine, he describes the friction that creates the phenomenon:

For the air being violently rubbed or ground to pieces between your hand and the glass globe, whirled briskly about, the air between your hand and the globe is ground so small as to be in the form of light.

Regarding the danger of applying these theories to medicine, he cautions against the misuse of electrical stimulation:

But, care should be taken, not to administer electricity, to a person of weak and decayed nerves, instead of one whose nerves are obstructed.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is an argument for mechanical materialism. It rejects the idea of "action at a distance"—the notion that objects can influence one another across empty space—by insisting that all forces must be mediated by a physical substance, in this case, the air or electrical effluvia. It addresses the tension between the observational science of the eighteenth century and the emerging theoretical frameworks of the era. Beneath the experiments lies a deep-seated desire to find a "unified theory" of the universe, where the same laws that govern a flickering spark in a laboratory also dictate the movement of the tides and the health of the human body.

Why Read It Today

Reading this work feels like stepping into a laboratory in 1752. For those interested in the history of science, it is a bracing look at how intellectual paradigms shift. You will encounter a confident, clear, and occasionally combative voice that is determined to strip away the "fine theories" of the day in favor of tangible, physical causes. The author’s prose is direct and avoids the dense abstraction of modern physics, making it remarkably accessible despite its age.

However, the modern reader must be prepared for the author’s period-specific worldview. His reliance on the "revealed account" of creation to support his physical theories will feel antiquated to contemporary scientific sensibilities. Furthermore, the medical advice regarding electricity—suggesting it as a cure for palsy—is a stark reminder of the risks taken in the early days of electrotherapeutics. The book is not a reliable scientific manual, but it is an invaluable document for understanding how human beings have historically sought to impose order on a mysterious world. Its value lies in the author's curiosity and his fierce commitment to the idea that the universe is a machine we can, with enough diligence, take apart and understand.