Iodine has been shown to increase the electric conductivity of the brain that is, the rate at which electrons will fly through it.

"Either they increase the central energy without affecting the nerves, or they simply increase the available energy by lowering the nervous conductivity; and all of them are unequal and local in their operation.

Professor Trowbridge also revived the idea of telegraphing across the Atlantic by utilizing the conductivity of the sea-water to carry the currents.