Galvanism

galvanism
    n 1: electricity produced by chemical action
    2: the therapeutic application of electricity to the body (as in
       the treatment of various forms of paralysis) [syn:
       {electrotherapy}, {galvanism}, {electric healing},
       {electrical healing}]
    

Galvanism \Gal"va*nism\, n. [From Galvani: cf. F. galvanisme.
   See {Galvanic}.] (Physics)
   (a) Electricity excited by the mutual action of certain
       liquids and metals; dynamical electricity.
   (b) The branch of physical science which treats of dynamical
       elecricity, or the properties and effects of electrical
       currents.
       [1913 Webster]

   Note: The words galvanism and galvanic, formerly in very
         general use, are now rarely employed. For the latter,
         voltaic, from the name of Volta, is commonly used.
         [1913 Webster]
    

Voltaism \Vol"ta*ism\, n. [Cf. F. volta["i]sme.] (Physics)
   That form of electricity which is developed by the chemical
   action between metals and different liquids; voltaic
   electricity; also, the science which treats of this form of
   electricity; -- called also {galvanism}, from Galvani, on
   account of his experiments showing the remarkable influence
   of this agent on animals.
   [1913 Webster]