Galvani, Luigi

gal-va'nee, Luigi (1737-1798), an eminent Italian scientist. He occupied a chair of physiology at the University of Bologna. From the twitchings of a frog's hind legs when placed in an electric circuit, he was led to investigate the subject of animal electricity. His researches were extended by Volta. In the frequent revolutions that swept over northern Italy, he was subject to annoyances that drove him from his position. In his honor the name of galvanism has been given to that branch of the science which treats of currents arising from chemical action, as from the combination of minerals and acids, i. e., to current electricity generated by batteries. See Volta