1. Chemical decomposition by galvanic action.
1839–47. Todd, Cycl. Anat., III. 720/2. The organ generates electricity … and can effect electrolysis.
1873. H. Spencer, Stud. Sociol., ix. 224. The great contributions of Faraday—magneto-electricity, the quantitative law of electrolysis.
b. as the name of a branch of science.
1870. R. Ferguson, Electr., 161. Electrolysis is generally understood to treat of the changes effected in a substance subjected to, but not giving rise to, the current.
2. Surgery. The breaking up of tumors, also of calculi, by electric agency.
1867. Brit. Med. Jrnl., 11 May, 537/2. The action of electrolysis on living tissues.
1871. Sir T. Watson, Princ. Med. (ed. 5), II. 634. Dr. Hilton Fagge … [has] treated light cases of hydatid disease of the Liver by electrolysis.
