Faraday to George Biddell Airy   13 November 1862

Royal Institution | 13 Novr. 1862

My dear Sir

Many thanks for Lamonts¹ paper²[.]

You remember I hope precisely the conductor you describe; and you ask <³> whether if a human being formed part of the channel he would feel &c.- If interposed in the channel so as to transmit the whole of the passing electricity, he might feel some sensation in the finer nerves, especially in those connected with the eyes & the organs of taste, but he would not feel any ordinary shock or stunning, until the discharge on the point - rose up into brushes & sparks. A pointed conductor (even the finest points) does not prevent brushes or sparks or flashes, if the continued across of electricity is so rapid as to rise above a certain degree into visible manifestation[.]

But (1. again) if the conductor remained continuous,- were of sufficient size,- were largely connected with the water below,- & the man was only in contact with it; then he would stand very little chance of being affected by it; except that if he were to touch the conductor by a wound or the tongue or the eyes he might be slightly affected;- affected indeed in proportion to the strength of the derived current that might pass through him.

<⁴> If a section were made in the lower part of the conductor & a galvanometer were introduced there so as to make part of the discharge, it would shew the current passing at the place. So also would a properly constructed chemical indicator, applied at the same place.

Ever My dear Sir | Very Truly Yours | M. Faraday

G.B. Airy Esqr | &c &c &c