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diff --git a/23813-0.txt b/23813-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d9a1428 --- /dev/null +++ b/23813-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3411 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Newly Discovered System of Electrical +Medication, by Daniel Clark + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Newly Discovered System of Electrical Medication + +Author: Daniel Clark + +Release Date: December 11, 2007 [EBook #23813] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELECTRICAL MEDICATION *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from scans of public domain works at the +University of Michigan's Making of America collection.) + + + + + + + + + + A NEWLY DISCOVERED SYSTEM + + OF + + ELECTRICAL MEDICATION. + + + + BY DANIEL CLARK, A. M. + + + + + + CINCINNATI: + PRINTED BY HITCHCOCK AND WALDEN, + FOR THE AUTHOR. + 1875. + + + + +Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, by + +DANIEL CLARK, A. M., + +In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the +Northern District of Illinois. + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + + Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. Medical, + scientific, archaic and variant spellings remain as printed, except + for obvious errors noted at the end of the text. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +In the summer of 1866, the author of this little book, moved by the +repeated and earnest solicitation of his Medical Classes, prepared and +printed a small pamphlet entitled _Practical Principles of Medical +Electricity_, designed more particularly, as the present work also is, +as a _Hand-Book_ to assist the memory of those who have taken a regular +course of LECTURES from himself, or from some other competent instructor +in the same general system of Practice. The edition of that work was +exhausted somewhat more than a year ago. Still, the book has continued +to be frequently called for. The author has, therefore, prepared, and +now offers to the Profession, the present volume, comprising the +substance of the previous work--corrected, improved in arrangement and +form, and about doubled in size by the introduction of new matter. While +he has reason for gratitude that the former manual, referred to above, +has met with so favorable a reception, he can not but hope that the +present work will be found even more acceptable and valuable to both +practitioners and their patients. + +It is but justice to say that the most essential principles of +_practice_ here presented did not originate with the present author, but +with PROF. C. H. BOLLES, of Philadelphia, their discoverer, from whom +the writer received his first introduction to them. Yet, the +_explanations_ here given of the Law of Polarization, as respects the +electric current in the circuit of the artificial machine, as well as +respecting the natural magnets and magnetic currents of the human +organism; the introduction of the _long cord_, with the explanation of +its advantages; and also nearly everything of the _philosophic theories_ +here brought to view, the author alone is responsible for. + +This work, like its little predecessor from the same pen, has been +adapted exclusively to the use of DR. JEROME KIDDER'S Electro-Magnetic +Machine, manufactured and sold, at present, at No. 544 Broadway, New +York; because the author, having used in his own practice a considerable +variety of the most popular machines intended for therapeutic purposes, +and having examined several others, believes this to be incomparably +_the best in use_. Dr. Kidder has, with most laudable zeal, pressed on +his researches and improvements in the manufacture of these instruments, +until there seems to be scarcely anything more in them to be desired. +They are certainly not equalled by any others in America, and probably +not surpassed, if equalled, by any in the world. + + D. C. + PLAINFIELD, ILL., June, 1869. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + Page. + INTRODUCTION xi + + + FIRST PRINCIPLES. + + DR. JEROME KIDDER'S ELECTRO-MAGNETIC MACHINE 21 + POLARIZATION 26 + THE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT 28 + POLARIZATION OF THE CIRCUIT 29 + THE CENTRAL POINT OF THE CIRCUIT 33 + THE CURRENT 35 + MODIFICATIONS OF ELECTRICITY 36 + THE VITAL FORCES--ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE 37 + EXTENT OF ELECTRIC AGENCY 42 + THEORY OF MAN 44 + THE LOWER ANIMALS 54 + THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM 56 + NATURAL POLARIZATION OF MAN'S PHYSICAL ORGANISM 56 + ELECTRICAL CLASSIFICATION OF DISEASES 58 + PHILOSOPHY OF DISEASE AND CURE 58 + + + PRINCIPLES OF PRACTICE. + + POLAR ANTAGONISM 61 + IMPORTANCE OF NOTING THE CENTRAL POINT 62 + DISTINCTIVE USE OF EACH POLE 63 + USE OF THE LONG CORD 69 + THE INWARD AND THE OUTWARD CURRENT 74 + MECHANICAL EFFECT OF EACH POLE 75 + RELAXED AND ATROPHIED CONDITIONS 77 + GENERAL DIRECTION OF THE CURRENT 78 + TREATING WITH ELECTROLYTIC CURRENTS 79 + POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE MANIFESTATIONS 81 + HEALING 84 + DIAGNOSIS 84 + + + PRESCRIPTIONS. + + PRELIMINARY REMARKS 94 + GENERAL TONIC TREATMENT 95 + COMMON COLDS 98 + CEPHALAGIA (Headache) 100 + DEAFNESS 102 + NOISES IN THE HEAD 103 + INFLAMED EYES 103 + AMAUROSIS 104 + STRABISMUS (Discordance of the Eyes) 104 + CATARRH (Acute) 105 + CATARRH (Chronic) 105 + DIPHTHERIA 106 + APHONIA (Loss of Voice) 106 + CROUP 107 + ASTHMA 108 + HEPATIZATION OF LUNGS 108 + PNEUMONIA 108 + PULMONARY PHTHISIS (Consumption) 109 + NEURALGIA AND RHEUMATISM OF THE HEART 111 + ENLARGEMENT AND OSSIFICATION OF THE HEART 112 + PALPITATION OF THE HEART 112 + TORPID LIVER 112 + HEPATITIS (Inflammation of Liver) 113 + ENLARGEMENT OF LIVER 113 + BILIARY CALCULI (Gravel in Liver) 114 + INTERMITTENT FEVER (Ague and Fever) 114 + NEPHRITIS (Inflammation of Kidneys) 115 + RENAL CALCULI (Gravel in the Kidneys) 116 + DIABETES (A Kidney Disease) 116 + DYSPEPSIA 117 + ACUTE DIARRHŒA 119 + CHRONIC DIARRHŒA 119 + CHOLIC (of whatever kind) 120 + CHOLERA MORBUS 120 + CHOLERA (Malignant) 121 + DYSENTERY 122 + CONSTIPATION OF BOWELS 122 + HÆMORRHOIDS (Piles) 123 + RHEUMATISM (Acute Inflammatory) 124 + RHEUMATISM (Chronic) 125 + DROPSY 126 + NEURALGIA 126 + SCIATICA 127 + PARALYSIS 128 + ERYSIPELAS 129 + ERUPTIVE CUTANEOUS DISEASES 130 + COMMON CRAMP 131 + TRISMUS (Lockjaw) 132 + TETANUS 132 + CANCERS 133 + ASPHYXIA (Suspended Animation) 134 + RECENT WOUNDS, CONTUSIONS AND BURNS 135 + OLD ULCERS 135 + HEMORRHAGE 136 + CHLOROSIS (Green Sickness) 136 + AMENORRHŒA (Suppressed Menstruation) 138 + DYSMENORRHŒA (Painful Menstruation) 138 + MENORRHAGIA (Excessive Menstruation) 139 + PROLAPSUS UTERI (Falling of the Womb) 140 + LEUCORRHŒA (Whites) 140 + SPERMATORRHŒA 141 + IMPOTENCE 142 + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +Considerable parts of this book have been written for the unlearned. For +the scholarly reader such parts, of course, would be wholly superfluous; +yet it is hoped that they to whom these are familiar will be patient in +passing through them for the sake of others to whom they may be +instructive. Other parts, again, it is believed, will be found new to +the most of even educated minds. But men of the largest intellectual +attainments are commonly the most docile. Such men, meeting this little +work, will not shrink from a candid examination of its contents merely +on account of their comparative novelty, nor because the views expressed +differ essentially from those usually held by the medical faculty. The +candid, yet critical, attention of such gentlemen, the author especially +solicits. He assures them that he does not write at random, but from +careful research and practical experience. His _philosophic theories_ he +offers only for what they are worth. His _principles of practice_ he +believes to be scientifically correct and of great value. + +Let it not be supposed that the author, in this work, assumes a +belligerent attitude towards the members of the medical profession. +Although anxious to modify and elevate their estimate of electricity as +a remedial agent, and to improve their methods of using it, he has no +sympathy with those who profess to believe, and who assert, that +medicines of the apothecary never effect the cure of disease; that where +they are thought to cure, they simply do not kill; and who contend that +the patient would have recovered quicker and better to have taken no +medicine at all. He knows that such allegations are false, as they are +extravagant; and so does every candid and unprejudiced observer whose +experience has given him ordinary opportunities to judge. The writer +believes it can be perfectly demonstrated that the advancement of +medical science in modern times--say within the last two or three +hundred years--has served to essentially prolong the average term of +human life. The world owes to medical instructors and practitioners a +debt of gratitude which can never be paid. Their laborious and often +perilous research in the fields of their profession, and their untiring +assiduity in the application of their science and skill to the relief of +human suffering, entitle them to a degree of confidence and affectionate +esteem which few other classes of public servants can rightly claim. For +one, the author of this little book most sincerely concedes to them, as +a body, his confidence, his sympathy, and his grateful respect. And the +most that he is willing to say to their discredit, (if it be so +construed), is that he regards them as having not yet attained +_perfection_ in their high profession, and as not being generally as +willing as they should be to examine fairly into the alleged merits of +remedial agents and improved principles of practice, (claimed to be +such), when brought forward by intelligent, cultivated and respectable +men, outside of "the regular profession." This is said at the same time +that the author gives much weight to their commonly offered defense, +viz: that, in the midst of professional engagements, they have not always +the time to spare for such examination; and that, since the most of +alleged improvements in the healing art, particularly of those introduced +by persons who have not received a regular medical education, sooner or +later prove themselves to be worthless, the _presumption_--though not +the _certainty_--is, whenever a new agent, or a new method or principle +is proposed by an "outsider," that this, too, if not willful +charlatanism, is a mistake; and therefore, the sooner it comes to an end +the better it will be for the public health, and that neglect is the +surest way to kill it. + +But the medical faculty have too widely employed electricity in the +treatment of disease, and that with too frequent success, to admit of +its being denied a place among important therapeutic agents by any +respectable practitioner. The only questions concerning it now are those +which relate to the _versatility_ of its power, the _scope_ of its +useful applicability, and the _principles_ which should guide in the +administration of it. The general subject embraced in these questions is +one in which suffering humanity has a right to claim that physicians +shall be at home. + +And yet it will scarcely be denied that, in the exhibition of +electricity, more than of almost any other therapeutic agent, medical +practitioners feel incertitude as to what shall be its effect. Now and +then it acts as they expected it to do; sometimes it pleasantly +surprises them; oftener it offensively disappoints them. They find it +_unreliable_. Of other remedial agents, they commonly know, before +administering them, what _sort_ of effect will be produced; but in +employing this, while they have hope, they are generally more or less in +doubt. They regard it as _a stimulant_; although its action on the +living organism appears to them to be largely veiled in mystery. In many +cases of disease, particularly those of acutely inflammatory or febrile +character, they judge it to be not at all indicated. To administer it in +a case of bilious or typhoid fever, or in a case of pneumonia, +pleuritis, gastritis, inflammatory rheumatism, or acute, and especially +_epidemic_ or malignant dysentery, or in a case of pulmonary phthisis, +would probably be viewed by the most of physicians as the rashest +empiricism, if not the next thing to madness. _The idea of producing +antagonistic effects with it at will_, they would, for the most part, +esteem preposterous. Rather, perhaps, it may be said of the majority of +medical practitioners that such an idea has never entered their minds; +so foreign is it to their conceptions of truth and propriety. But, at +whatever risk of discredit or censure, the writer of the present volume +avers that this idea is both scientifically sound and of every day's +practical verification. The various and opposite forms of disease--acute +and chronic, hypersthenic and asthenic--are habitually treated and +_cured_, in his own practice and that of his students, by electricity +alone. + +But "_cui bono?_" may be asked. "What if it be true that these things +can be done with electricity? They are also done with medicines, which +are more quickly and conveniently administered, and usually less +annoying to the patient. What, therefore, is the _practical utility_ of +your electric system above the ordinary practice, especially if we +include, in the latter, electrical treatment as occasionally employed by +the most of respectable physicians?" + +This is the important question--that to which the author desires to call +particular attention. He, therefore, answers: + +_First._--It is manifestly true that the most of diseases, (the +exceptions are comparatively few), can be cured by the use of medicines. +It is also true that these can generally be administered with more +convenience and less expenditure of time to the practitioner than +electricity; and this is a great advantage. The author is often asked if +he thinks his electric system will ever supersede the use of medicines. +His answer is uniformly, "No." It takes too much time for that. Where +the population is crowded, as in cities and large towns, it is often the +case, especially in times of prevailing epidemic, that a physician can +prescribe medicine for half a dozen or more patients in the time +required to treat one electrically. To reject medicines and rely alone +on electricity would, in periods and places of prevailing sickness, +leave many sufferers without professional service, or would require that +the proportion of doctors to the whole population should be largely +increased--a thing certainly not often to be desired. So much, candor +must concede. + +_Second._--It is not quite true that medicines are usually less annoying +to the patient than electricity as _we_ use it. As administered by +others, it is often nearly intolerable. In our hands, on the contrary, +it seldom inflicts any pain or distress, and almost invariably becomes +agreeable to the patient after a very few applications. We have no +occasion to torture our patients in order to cure them. But the cases +are comparatively rare where medicines are not offensive; commonly they +are excessively so. + +_Third._--In not a few diseases, and these among the most dangerous or +distressful, the electric current, employed according to the system here +taught, is able to reach, control and cure, with facility, where +medicines are but slowly, and in most instances imperfectly successful, +or fail altogether. This is said, or meant to be said, not invidiously +nor boastingly, but in the candid utterance of a great and practically +demonstrated truth. It is, perhaps, most _often_ exemplified in +neuralgic, rheumatic and paralytic affections. The author is happy to +acknowledge that these diseases are frequently mitigated, and +occasionally cured, by means of electrical treatment administered by +those who know nothing of the system here taught. But the important fact +is, in _their_ hands there is _no certainty_ as to the effect before +trial. Under _this_ system, the kind of effect is as certainly known +before as after the trial, since it can be made one thing or another _at +will_. + +Cases are not unfrequently presented of _inflammatory action_, more +especially where it is internal--traumatic cases and others--which the +practitioner finds it impossible to subdue with medicine. But, with a +proper knowledge of the system herein taught, he has at his command a +power with which he can control such cases with almost infallible +certainty, provided he can get access to them within reasonable time. +The same may be said of fevers, particularly those occasioned by +miasmatic or infectious virus. These are often difficult to manage by +the use of medicine, and not seldom prove fatal, in spite of the best +talent and skill which the profession can afford. But the electric +current, rightly selected and scientifically applied, destroys or +neutralizes the virus and restores the normal polarization, and so +effects a cure. + +_Neuralgic affections_ are frequently found difficult, or even +impossible, to be cured by means of medicines, and yet, in the very same +cases, these affections yield and disappear with comparative facility +when brought under the electric current, judiciously applied, according +to the principles of this new system. + +_Chronic cases, and others of an asthenic character_, are often very +stubborn under the medicines of pharmacy, and are commonly the dread of +physicians; yet, under scientific treatment by electricity, they rarely +fail to lose their formidable character and to become obedient to the +remedial agent. + +_Fourth._--In enumerating a few of the peculiar advantages of this +system, I should add that it corrects the usual _electric_ practice of +the profession, so far as they become acquainted with it. As before +intimated, the mass of physicians at present, who treat more or less +electrically, do so with no knowledge, or next to none, of the great +_versatility_ of action of which the electric current is capable. They +know nothing of the electrical polarization of the living organism in +health, nor how it is variously affected in disease. The particular +_electrical_ state of the diseased organs is a matter foreign to their +minds. They appear to suppose the point to be immediately aimed at as a +means of cure is to get the electricity from the machine into the +affected part or parts; whereas it should be to change, by correction, +the _polarization_ of the part or parts; and, if there be virus present, +to neutralize that. Equally unacquainted are they generally with the +diverse physiological action of the several modifications of the +electric force--galvanism, magnetism, faradism, and frictional +electricity. This, in their candor, they commonly acknowledge. And, for +the most part, they are little or nothing better acquainted with the +_distinctive_ effects on the system of the positive and negative poles +of the instrument. There is, therefore, plainly no _science_ in their +electrical practice. Every thing is done at random--all is empirical. + +But the system here taught opens the light upon all of these points. For +practical purposes, at least, it is, in its essential features, the only +system of electrical therapeutics which has in it any real merit--the +only system which _can be true_. By this, the writer does not mean to +assert, or to imply, that the little book now before the reader contains +no error, either in respect to theory or practice. In this early stage +of our system's history, it would be remarkable if it did not contain +errors in both these respects. But what it is intended to affirm is, +that the book presents the _cardinal features_ of a true, and the only +possibly true, system of electrical practice. All possibly true systems +of geometry must necessarily be essentially the same; and so, too, all +possibly true systems of electrical medication must be essentially one. +That one system, it is candidly and confidently believed, is briefly +contained in the present little volume. + + + + +ELECTRICAL MEDICATION. + + + + +FIRST PRINCIPLES. + + +DR. JEROME KIDDER'S ELECTRO-MAGNETIC MACHINE. + +On opening the machine-box, as it comes from the manufacturer, there +will be found a glass bottle, intended to hold the battery fluid when +not in use; a glass cup or jar, to serve as the battery cell; a pair of +insulated metallic conducting cords; two tin electrodes; a brass clamp; +and, under the helix-box, (which raise), the battery metals and two +connecting wires to unite the battery with the helix. + +To put the machine in working condition--ready for use--proceed, step by +step, as follows, viz: Prepare the _Battery Fluid_ by mixing twelve +parts, by measure, of water with one part of sulphuric acid, (good +commercial acid is pure enough), sufficient to fill the cell two-thirds +or three-fourths full, and place in it about one-third of an ounce of +quicksilver. + +Next, place the platina plate between the two zinc plates, standing on +their legs upon a table before you; and bring the top of the wooden bar +(in a groove of which the platina is set) up flush with the top of the +zinc plates. Let the brass post, standing on the top of this bar and +soldered to the platina plate below, be toward the left-hand side. Then +take the brass clamp and place it across the top of these metallic +plates, a little to the right of the brass post, or about midway between +the right and left sides, having its thumb-screw towards you, and with +it screw the three plates firmly together. The platina is shorter than +the zincs, to prevent its reaching the quicksilver in the bottom of the +cell; and the wax balls on its sides are to insulate it from the zinc +plates. This platina should never be allowed to touch the mercury or the +zinc. + +Let the plates, properly screwed together, be now placed in the cell +with the Battery Fluid. Then, with the two copper connecting-wires, +connect the post which stands on the wooden bar above the platina with +the post stamped P on the helix-box, and the brass clamp N with the +post N on the helix-box. + +If, now, the screws regulating the vibrating armature be in perfect +adjustment, the current will commence to run, with a buzzing sound; or +it may be made to start by touching the hammer-like head of the flat +steel spring. If not, the screws may be rightly adjusted in the +following way: The top screw, which at its lower point is tipped with a +small coil of platina wire, should be made to press delicately upon the +center of the little iron plate on the upper side of the spring, so as +to bear the latter down very slightly. Then raise or depress the +screw-magnet, which turns up or down under the hammer, like the seat of +a piano-stool, until the vibration of the spring commences. The +_rapidity of the vibrations_, by which is secured the alternate closing +and breaking of the electric circuit (or rather what, in practical +effect, is equivalent to this--the _direct_ and _reverse_ action of the +current in alternation) is increased by raising the screw-magnet and +diminished by lowering it. When it is raised above what is required for +ordinary use, the noise becomes too loud and harsh for many nervous +patients to bear. It should then be depressed a little. + +With respect to curative power, I have discovered but little perceptible +difference, produced by the various degrees of rapidity in the +vibrations, effected within the range of this magnet. + +_The force_ of the current is regulated by means of a tubular magnet, +which slides over the helix, and is called _the plunger_. It is +approached under a brass cap at the right-hand end of the machine. The +plunger is withdrawn, more or less, to increase the force; pushed in to +diminish it. If in any case the current can not be softened sufficiently +with the plunger, the quantity of battery fluid in use must be made +less. + +After a time the current will become weak, and fail to run well. Then +renew the battery fluid. When the quicksilver is all taken up by the +zinc plates, the machine may be run for a while without adding more. But +after it has considerably disappeared from the inside surface of the zinc +plates, the latter will begin to show more rapid corrosion, while the +current will be less. Then let a small quantity of quicksilver--one-fourth +to one-third of an ounce--again be placed in the fluid. + +When the machine is not in use, let the metals be removed from the +fluid; and, if not to be soon again used, let them be rinsed with +water, carefully avoiding to wet the wooden bar in which the platina is +set. + +_The posts_, with which the conducting-cords are to be connected, are +arranged in a row near the front of the helix-box, and are marked A, B, +C, D. Either two of these posts may be used to obtain a current; and +since they admit of six varying combinations, six different currents are +afforded by the machine, viz: the A B current, the A C current, the A D +current, the B C current, the B D current, and the C D current. +Whichever current is used, it may always be known which of the two posts +employed is the positive and which the negative, by observing the +letters stamped upon their tops. The one whose letter comes first in the +order of the alphabet is positive; the other is negative. Also, the one +standing towards the left hand is positive, and that at the right hand +is negative. _The qualities_ of the several currents are stated in a +descriptive paper on the inside of the lid of the machine, which see. It +will there be found that three of the currents--viz, the A B, the A C +and the A D currents--are _electrolytic_: that is, dissolving by +electric action. These electrolytic currents require to be used--one or +another of them--whenever any chemical action is needed; as, in +decomposing or neutralizing _virus_ in the system, destroying cancers, +reducing glands when chronically enlarged, removing tumors or other +abnormal growths, and in treating old ulcers and chronic irritation of +mucous membranes. The other three, being Faradaic or induction currents, +and having no perceptibly chemical action, are used where only change of +electro-vital polarization is required. These Faradaic currents differ +from each other in respect to being _concentrative_ or _diffusive_ in +their effects, and in their _sensational_ force. B C is concentrative +and delicately sensational. C D is also concentrative, though less so +than B C, and is more strongly sensational. B D is diffusive, and the +most energetically sensational of the three. + + +POLARIZATION. + +It may be proper, in this place, to spend a few words upon electrical +polarization in general. + +_Electrical polarity_ may be defined as a characteristic of the electric +or magnetic fluid, by virtue of which its opposite qualities, as those +of _attraction_ and _repulsion_ towards the same object, are manifested +in opposite parts of the electric or magnetic body. These opposite parts +are called the _poles_ of the body, as the _positive_ and _negative_ +poles. The difference between the positive and negative poles is +believed to be that of _plus_ and _minus_--plus being positive and minus +negative. This is the Franklinian view, and, if I mistake not, is the +one most in favor with men of science at the present day. This view +supposes that the electricity or magnetism arranges itself in _maximum_ +quantity and intensity at the one extremity or pole of the magnetized +body, and in _minimum_ quantity and intensity at the opposite extremity +or pole; and that, between these points--the maximum and the +minimum--the fluid is distributed, in respect to quantity and intensity, +upon a scale of regular graduation from the one to the other. The idea +may be represented by a _line_, commencing in a _point_ at the one end, +and extending, with regularly increasing breadth, to the other end. The +larger end would represent the positive pole, and the smaller, the +negative pole. Or perhaps a better representation of the magnet would be +a line of equal breadth from end to end, but having the one end _white_, +or slightly tinted, say, with _red_, and the color gradually and +regularly increasing in strength to the other end, where it becomes a +_deep scarlet_. Let the coloring-matter represent the magnetism in the +body charged, and we have the magnet illustrated in its polarization: +the deep-red end is the positive pole, and the white or faintly-colored +end is the negative pole. + +It is a law of polarization that the positive poles of different magnets +repel each other, and the negative poles repel each other; while +positive and negative poles attract each other. The same law of +polarization rules in electric or magnetic _currents_ as in magnets at +rest. + + +THE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT. + +_The Electric Circuit_ is made up of any thing and every thing which +serves to conduct the electric current in its passage--outward and +returning--from where it leaves the inner surfaces of the zinc plates in +the battery cell to where it comes back again to the outer surfaces of +the same plates. When the conducting-cords are not attached to the +machine, or when the communication between the cords is not complete, if +the machine be running, the circuit is then composed of the battery +fluid, the platina plate, the posts, the connecting-wires, which unite +the battery with the helix, the helical wires, and their appendages for +the vibrating action. But when a patient is under treatment, the +conducting-cords, the electrodes, and so much of the patient's person as +is traversed by the current while passing from the positive electrode +through to the negative electrode, are also included in the whole +circuit. And whatever elements may serve to conduct the current in any +part of its circuit--be they metal, fluid, nerve, muscle, or bone--the +same are all, for the time, component parts of _one complete magnet_, +which, in all its parts, is subject to the law of polarization, +precisely as if it were one magnetized bar of steel. Usually, however, +it is sufficient for _practical_ purposes to contemplate the circuit as +consisting only of that which the current passes through in going from +the point where it leaves the positive post and enters into the negative +cord, around to the point where it leaves the positive cord and enters +into the negative post. + + +POLARIZATION OF THE CIRCUIT. + +I have said, in effect, a little above, that, while the current is +running, _the entire circuit is one complete magnet_, which extends +from the inner or positive sides of the zinc plates, where the current +commences, all the way around to the outer or negative aides of the zinc +plates, to which it returns. Viewed in this light its negative pole or +end is the battery fluid, next to the positive surfaces of the zinc +plates, and its positive pole or end is the brass clamp which, holding +the metals together, is in contact with the outer and negative surfaces +of the zincs. + +But, for practical purposes, it is sufficiently exact to consider the +_magnetic circuit_ as extending only from the positive _post_ around +through the conducting cords, the electrodes and the person of the +patient to the _negative_ post. The negative end or pole of this magnet +is the wire end of the cord placed in the positive post, and the +positive end or pole is the wire end of the cord placed in the negative +post. + +But any magnet may be viewed either as one whole, or be conceived as +composed of a succession of shorter magnets placed end to end. If we +view it as one entire magnet, we call the end in which the magnetic +essence is in greatest quantity the _positive_ end, and the end where it +is in least quantity the _negative_ end. But if we imagine the one +whole magnet as being divided up into several sections, then we conceive +of each section as a distinct magnet, having its own positive and +negative poles. And, all the way through, these sectional magnets will +be arranged with the positive pole of the one joined to the negative +pole of the next in advance of it. + +It is just so in respect to the magnetic circuit of a moving current. +The whole circuit, as before remarked, is in reality one long magnet. +But in applying the terms _positive_ and _negative_ in our practice we +often view the whole circuit--the one long magnet--as composed of a +series of shorter ones, arranged with positive and negative ends in +contact; and all the way the current in each section is supposed to be +running from the positive pole of the magnet behind to the negative pole +of the magnet before. + +We consider the circuit, from the positive post around to the negative +post, as composed of three magnets, as follows: Magnet No. 1, which +extends from the positive post, along the cord and electrode, to the +body of the patient, where the positive electrode is placed. The +_negative pole_ of this magnet is the _wire end of the cord_ placed in +the positive post, and its _positive_ pole in the _positive electrode_ +placed upon the person of the patient. No. 2, which is composed of the +parts of the patient traversed by the current between the two +electrodes. Its negative end or pole is the part in contact with the +positive pole of magnet No. 1, and its positive pole is the part in +contact with the negative pole of magnet No. 3. No. 3 extends from the +positive pole of No. 2, through the electrode and along the cord, to the +negative post. Its negative pole is the _negative electrode_ in contact +with the positive end or pole of magnet No. 2, and its positive pole is +the _wire end of the cord_ in the negative post. + +Since in every magnet the magnetic fluid is supposed to be regularly +graduated from minimum quantity in the negative end to maximum quantity +in the positive end, this is true in respect to the one magnet, +consisting of the whole magnetic circuit, as well as in respect to each +one of the sectional series. Consequently there must be the same +quantity of magnetism in each negative pole of the sections as there is +in the positive pole of the section immediately behind it. And the +magnetism of the whole circuit between the positive and the negative +posts is in its _least_ volume next to the _positive post_, and in +_fullest_ volume next to the _negative post_. If we consider the circuit +as divided into two equal halves, the _negative half_ is plainly that +which joins the _positive post_, and the _positive half_ that which +joins the _negative post_. + +From this it will be seen that what in practice are designated as the +positive and negative _posts_, and also positive and negative _poles_ or +_electrodes_ are _not_ such _in relation to each other_, but the +_reverse_ of it; that is to say, the positive _post_ is not _positive_ +in relation to the _negative post_, but is _negative_ to it; and the +positive _electrode or pole_ is not positive in relation to the +_negative_ electrode, but _negative_ to it. The positive _post_, like +the positive _electrode_, is called _positive_, because it is the +positive end of the sectional magnet next _behind_ it. And the +_negative_ post, as also the negative electrode, is _called negative_ +because it is the negative end of the sectional magnet next _in advance_ +of it. + + +THE CENTRAL POINT OF THE CIRCUIT. + +_The central point_ of the circuit--that point which divides between its +positive and negative halves--is reckoned, in practice, to be the +midway point in the line over which the current passes, in its whole +course from the positive post around to the negative post. When the +cords are of equal length, this point will always be in the person of +the patient, about midway between the parts where the two electrodes are +applied. This central point, or "point of centrality," is practically +neuter--neither positive nor negative; and upon the two opposite halves +of the circuit, the positive and negative _qualities_ of the current are +in greatest force nearest to the posts, and in least force nearest to +the central point. At this point they cease altogether, and the central +point is _neuter_. + +It may, perhaps, be observed that, in _apparent_ contradiction of this +statement, the _sensational_ effect of the current on the negative half +of the circuit is _least_ nearest to the positive post, and becomes +regularly _greater_ as the current advances towards the central point; +and that _at_ this point it is greater than at any other point between +this and the positive post. To relieve this seeming contradiction, it is +only necessary to consider that, in fact, the _positive_ state on the +negative half of the current _does_ increase regularly from the +positive post to the central point. But that which is the _increase_ of +the positive state is the _decrease_ of the negative state. So it is +still true that on the negative half of the circuit, the _negative_ +qualities _diminish_ as we advance towards the central point just as on +the positive half, the _positive_ qualities diminish regularly towards +the central point, as stated above. + + +THE CURRENT. + +_The current_ is that moving electric essence which traverses the +circuit. The _course_ of the current is always from the positive to the +negative. It leaves the machine at the positive post, where it enters +the cord which holds the positive electrode or pole. Thence it advances +around the circuit, going out from the opposite cord where that connects +with the negative post. The forward end of the current is its positive +end; the rear, of course, is its negative end. At its forward end it is +in its greatest volume. At its rear end the volume is least. At the +_central point_ of its circuit there is the _mean_ quantity--the +_average_ volume. And because the positive and negative forces on either +side exactly balance each other upon the central point, therefore this +point is practically neuter--neither positive nor negative. + + +MODIFICATIONS OF ELECTRICITY. + +In the present stage of electric science, the conviction has become very +general among experimenters that galvanism, magnetism, faradism, +frictional electricity and the electricity of the storm-cloud are, in +their essential nature, one and the same; being diversified in +appearance and effects by the different modes and circumstances of their +development. This conviction has been reached in various ways; but +chiefly, perhaps, by observing the many analogies between the phenomena +of these several forces, and also by the fact that each of them can be +made to produce or be produced by one or more of the others. But I must +forego any detailed discussion of this matter, since my limits will not +admit of it, and shall assume that these apparently several agents are +but modifications of the same generic force. + +There are two other phases or modifications of the electric principle, +as I judge them to be, which are not so generally classed here. I refer +to the forces of animal and vegetable vitality, as viewed in the next +section. + + +VITAL FORCES--ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE. + +Upon these points I must be permitted to offer a few words. + +Of the _animal kingdom_, I regard the "nervous fluid" or "nervous +influence," popularly so called, as being the very principle of _animal +vitalization_--the life force; and that, a modification of the +_electric_ force. It is, I think, pretty generally conceded at this day +that the "nervous influence" is probably electric. There are some +alleged facts, and other certain facts, which go far to sustain this +view. It is said that if we transfix, with a steel needle, a large nerve +of a living animal, as the great ischiatic, and let it remain in that +condition a suitable time, the needle becomes permanently magnetized. +So, too, if the point of a lancet be held for some length of time +between the severed ends of a newly-divided large nerve, that point, as +I have heard it affirmed, on what appeared to be good authority, becomes +magnetized; although I have not attempted to verify either of these +cases by experiment. However, admitting them to be true, the metal is +charged with simply the "nervous fluid." But the fact on which I myself +chiefly rely for evidence of this identification, being almost daily +conversant with it in my practice, is this: _The "nervous influence" +obeys the laws of electrical polarization, attraction and repulsion._ +When I treat a paralyzed part, in which, to all appearance, the action +of the nerve force is suspended, I have but to assume that this force is +electric, and apply the poles of my instrument accordingly, and I _bring +it in_ from the more healthy parts, along with the inorganic current +from my machine. Forcing conduction through the nerves, by means of my +artificial apparatus, I rouse the susceptibility of the nerves until +they will normally conduct the "nervous influence" or electro-vital +fluid, as I term it, and the paralysis is removed. Again, if I treat an +inflamed part, in which the capillaries are engorged with arterial +blood, I have but to assume that the affected part is overcharged with +the electro-vital fluid, through the nerves and the arterial blood, and +so to apply my electrodes, according to well known electrical law, as to +produce mutual repulsion, and the inflammatory action is sure to be +repressed. I manifestly change the polarization of the parts. This thing +is so perfectly regular and constant that I am entirely assured, before +touching the patient, what sort of effect will be produced by this or +that arrangement in the application of the poles of the instrument. If I +desire to increase or depress the nervous force in any given case, I +find myself able, on this principle, to produce the one effect or the +other, at will. Hence, I say, the nervous influence obeys the electric +laws, just as does the inorganic electricity. I find this subtle agent +not in the nerves only, but also in muscle and blood--more especially in +arterial blood. Indeed it seems to pervade, more or less, the entire +solids and fluids of the animal system. And wherever it exists, its +action is just that of an _electro-vital_ force. Examples of this fact +will appear further along in the present work. While, therefore, I can +not _affirm_ the identity of animal electricity and animal vitality, the +theory of their identification, to my view, best accords with the +manifestations under correct therapeutic treatment, and I am unaware of +any established fact to disprove it. + +_Vegetable vitality_, also, I regard as another modification of the +electric force. The fact has been proved by repeated experiments, that +galvanic currents, passed among the roots of vegetables, causes a +quickened development of the plants to a degree that would be deemed +incredible by almost any one who had neither seen it nor learned its +_rationale_. I have seen it stated, on authority which commanded my +credence, that by this process lettuce leaves may be grown, within a few +hours only, "from the size of a mouse's ear to dimensions large enough +for convenient use on the dinner-table." + +The following experiment has been related to me by several different +parties, as having been made by _Judge Caton_, of Ottawa, Illinois; and +subsequently the same has been confirmed to me by his brother, Deacon +Wm. P. Caton, of Plainfield, Illinois. It is said that the Judge had +some interesting _evergreens_ which appeared to be affected by an +unhealthy influence, causing a suspension of growth and withering of +branches here and there, until such branches died. So the process went +on, terminating after a little time in the death of the trees. In this +way he had lost some valuable specimens. At length a very fine and +favorite evergreen was similarly attacked. He felt, of course, annoyed +by the destructive process, and especially reluctant to lose this +particular tree. Probably calling to his recollection something +analogous to what I have referred to above, he resolved to try the +efficacy of galvanism to reinforce the vitality of the shrub. Having a +telegraphic wire extending from the main line in Ottawa to his own +residence, he availed himself of this facility, and caused a wire to be +passed among the roots of this tree in such a way as to bring the +galvanic current to act upon them. It was not long before he saw, to his +delight, a new set of foliage starting from the twigs, and after a +little time the tree was again flourishing in all its beauty. The +electric current had evidently imparted to it a fresh vitality. + +To insure the success of such an experiment, a proper regard to +polarization must be had, such as is taught in the system presented in +this book. There may not have been any attention to this matter in the +case just related; but if not, the Judge must have _stumbled_ upon the +correct application of poles. To have brought the roots under the +influence of the wrong pole would have made sure the death of his tree. + +Now, although, if taken by themselves, such experiments could not be +regarded as _conclusive_ in favor of the electric nature of vegetable +vitality, notwithstanding that this theory best explains the phenomena; +yet, when considered in connection with the fact that the nervous fluid +of the animal kingdom is evidently a modification of electricity, and +probably constitutes the vital force of the animal, the theory of its +identification, under another modification, with the vital principle in +the vegetable kingdom also, as deduced from experiments like those just +adverted to, receives strong confirmation, and is now, I believe, being +adopted by many of the best philosophers of the age. + + +EXTENT OF ELECTRIC AGENCY. + +When we have settled upon the position that the electricity of the +heavens and of the artificial machine are identical, and that their +identity is essentially one with galvanism, magnetism, the electro-vital +fluid of animal and the life-force of the vegetable kingdoms, it +requires no extravagant imagination, nor remarkable degree of +enthusiastic credulity, to suppose that all the forms of physical +attraction and repulsion are due, under God, to the diversified +modifications of the same all-pervading agent--ELECTRICITY. Indeed, for +myself, I feel no hesitation in expressing it as my belief that +electricity, in one phase or another, and controlled only by WILL, is +the grand motive-power of the universe. I believe that, in the form of +electro-vital fluid, the great Creator employs it as His immediate agent +to carry on all the functions of animal life; and that, in respect to +voluntary functions, He subordinates it as a servant to the will of the +creature, to effect such cerebral action and such muscular contractions +as are demanded by the creature's volitions. I am disposed to think +that, by the omnipotent power of His will, He controls and uses +electricity, in its various modifications, as the immediate moving-force +by which He accomplishes all the changes in the physical universe. It is +fast becoming a generally-received opinion among modern _savans_, that +every body in nature is really magnetic, more or less; and that all +visible or sensible changes are but the result of changing poles. +Chemical affinities and revulsions are believed to be only the more +delicate forms of electrical attraction and repulsion; the ultimate +particles of matter, no less than matter in masses, being subject to the +control of electrical laws. The imponderable agents, light and caloric, +under the ingenious tests of scientific scrutiny, are beginning to give +some very decided indications of being simply electric phenomena. +Indeed, the doctrine or theory that supposes caloric to be simply +_atomic motion_ is even now being very generally accepted by the +scientific world. And that motion in the atoms of a body which causes in +us the sensation of heat is probably electric motion. And permit me to +observe that, though the operations of nature seem, at first thought, to +be wonderfully complex and mysterious, yet if the views here presented +be correct, the marvel is changed; and we are brought to a profound +admiration of the _simplicity_ of the means by which the Almighty +conducts His material operations. A _single_ agent made to perform +processes so infinitely numerous, diversified and apparently complex! +How amazing! Simplicity in complexity!--majestic, like the mind of God. + + +THEORY OF MAN. + +Let the question now be raised--_What is man?_ The answer will have much +to do with the remedial system which I aim to teach. For this reason it +is thus early introduced. + +My answer to the above question is as follows: _Man is a threefold +being, composed of a body material, a body electrical, and a spirit +rational and indestructible._ + +Let the elements of this definition be a little amplified: + +1. _The material body._ This is composed of various metals, earths, +carbon, phosphorus, and gases. I need not go into a representation of +their multiplied and curious combinations to form the many parts of the +body complete. But these are the ultimate elements; and a most superb +and wonderful structure they here compose. Yet, notwithstanding all the +manifest skillfulness of its contrivance, and the power of its +accomplishment, and the niceness and beauty of its execution, it were a +useless display if unaccompanied with the invisible agents which compose +the two other grand constituents of man, to wit: the body electrical and +the spirit, or mind. Without these, it would quickly fall into decay, as +we see it when deprived of them, and would be resolved into its original +elements again. But to our gross material bodies the Creator has added, + +2. _The body electrical._ By this, I mean that which has commonly been +termed "nervous influence," "nervous fluid," "nervo-vital fluid," and +"nervo-electric fluid." I object, however, to each and all of these +designations. They are too restricted and specific. They all seem to +imply that it is an agent or influence which appertains especially to +the _nervous_ system; whereas the entire organism is under its pervading +force. I do not doubt but its chief action is in and through the nervous +system; but it also pervades and, as I think, vitalizes the whole body. +The nervous system seems to be created as one principal means for its +replenishment,[A] and to serve as the medium of its ministrations to the +body at large. I choose to term it _electro-vital fluid_, or +_electro-vitality_. My reasons for so designating it are the following: +(1) It is demonstrably electrical in its nature. (2) It appears to be +identified, or at least connected immediately, with the vitalization of +the body. (3) I wish, by its name, to distinguish it from _mental_ +vitality, or the vitality of _spirit_. Whether, as a peculiar +manifestation of the electric principle, it vitalizes by its own nature +and action solely, or whether it be _charged_ with another mysterious +element--a _life-force_--and vitalizes by ministering the latter to the +material organism, I will not positively affirm. Whichever it be, the +name I assign to it seems sufficiently appropriate. But I strongly +incline to the theory that this electro-vital principle does itself, by +virtue of its own nature, vitalize the system. In other words, I am +disposed to think that God makes it the _immediate_ agent of +vitalization; having constituted it the _vis vitæ_ of both the animal +and the vegetable kingdoms. Nor does this idea, as I conceive, +necessarily conflict at all with the doctrine of _cell-life_, as +maintained by the best physiologists of the present day. I also +sometimes style this electro-vital element the _body electrical_, +because it is certainly an entity, coëxtensive with and, in greater or +less force, wholly pervading the visible, material body. + +At this point I will take the liberty to introduce, although somewhat +digressively, a few thoughts on the DISTINCTIONS OF VITALITY OR LIFE. + +There are, as I suppose, the following several kinds of life: (1) +_Spirit life_; (2) _Moral life_; (3) _Electric life_. + +(1.) There is _spirit_ life. And here are to be made several +subdivisions. + +[1.] _Uncreated_ spirit life. This is the life of God. Of the nature of +the Divine Essence we know nothing; yet that God is a real, living +entity, we do know. My own conviction is that the divine essence and the +divine life are identical; that God, a spirit, is necessary, infinite, +conscious VITALITY--the voluntary Originator of all existencies besides +himself. But as to what is the essential nature of this vitality--this +eternal spirit-life--we can have no conception, only that this life is +God. + +[2.] _Created_ spirit-life. And here we make another subdivision. + +(_a_) The life of created _immortal_ spirit. This is a rational, +intelligent entity, representing the spirit of man and of unembodied, +created intelligences above him. This spirit God created as it pleased +him--"in his own likeness"--a living, indestructible essence; and, as I +suppose, its essence and its life the same. + +(_b_) The life of created _mortal_ spirit, as the spirit of the beast. +Of the intrinsic essence of this spirit, we are also necessarily +ignorant. Yet, of its attributes we know that it has _consciousness_, +_sensibility_, and _will_. Of its life we know as little as of its +essence; both of which, however, as I conjecture, are also one and the +same--the spirit substance being itself essentially vital. + +(2.) We pass next to _moral_ life. This life is identical with +_holiness_--the very opposite of that defilement that characterizes +moral _death_, which is a state of _sin_. But let me again subdivide. + +[1.] As to the moral life of _God_, it consists in his infinite moral +purity--his _veracity_, _justice_ and _benevolence_ or _love_--qualities +which, in their combination make up his holiness. + +[2.] The moral life of _man, as also of other rational creatures_. This +consists in his _sympathy of spirit with God_ in respect to those pure +qualities which constitute the Divine holiness. + +(3.) Finally, there is _electric_ or _physical life_. But here again +there are varieties. + +[1.] There is _animal_ life, as of man and the lower animals. This I +have already represented as consisting in the electro-vital force. + +[2.] _Vegetable_ life. This is another modification of the same +essential principle--electro-vitality. + +But now, to return to the _physical_ or _animal life of man_--the +electro-vital element. While this is in such _immediate_ relation to the +visible body on the one hand, it holds, also, on the other hand, an +_immediate_ relation to the mental part, both of man and of the other +animated beings of earth. It serves to transmit, through the nervous +system to the mind, all sensations and impressions from the outer world. +It, moreover, receives from the mind the action of its volitions and +imaginary conceptions, and conveys through the nerves the impressions or +impulsions thus obtained to the various parts of the body, and there +secures the fulfillment of the mind's behests. It appears to be only in +this way that communication is had between the mind and its outer body. +The natures of spirit and of gross matter are so totally unlike, that it +seems impracticable for the mind and body to come into _immediate_ +mutual relation, or to act reciprocally, without the aid of a +_medium_--ethereal, semi-material and semi-spiritual, such as is the +electro-vital fluid. And the Creator has accordingly provided this +mysterious, invisible medium between the two, and thus, in a degree, +extended man's likeness to himself by making him _a trinity in unity_. + +3. _The mind or spirit._ This is immeasurably the highest and most +important constituent of man. His body material may fall back to dust. +His body electrical may be reabsorbed in the great ocean of natural +electricity that fills the earth and the heavens. But his mind is +immortal. His spirit, made in the divine image, lives and acts, thinks +and feels, independently of every other existence save Him from whom its +being came. While in connection with its visible body, its good or ill, +its bliss or woe, has, indeed, much to do with its bodily state. But, +when separated from this body, its high and more independent existence +is at once asserted; and then its good or ill are determined by its +Author only in accordance with the workings and affections within +itself. A spiritual and indestructible being like its Creator, it can +never cease to be while he exists. + +But our present concern is with the mind in its relation to that +electro-vital medium between it and the body, and to the body itself. +The mind's influence upon both of these lower parts of the entire man is +truly wonderful, although perceptible mostly on the material body. Few +persons are aware how much the state of the mind affects the bodily +health, although the degree is often very great. Yet this is done by +the mind's action, first on the electro-vital functions, and through +these, by way of the nerves, upon the bodily tissue. Changes in the +mental states will, in this way, frequently produce changed polarization +in the physical organs, and thus determine infallibly the matter of +health or disease. So, too, the condition of the bodily health will +often determine irresistibly the mental state. Whatever bodily changes +affect the polarization of the electro-vital medium in any part of the +organism, do thereby produce corresponding changes in the mind. + +These views of the reciprocal action between mind and body, through the +medium of the electro-vital element, may serve to explain those +psychological wonders exhibited in the cure of diseases by the +imagination, as well as in diseases and even death induced by the +imagination. I would much like to unfold and illustrate this bearing of +the subject; and, also, in the light of it, to show the _philosophy_ of +one mind acting intelligibly on another mind, with, and even _without_, +the aid of the physical organs, as is sometimes seen in the facts of +mesmerism. This I have done in my written lectures, for the instruction +of classes; but my limits will not admit of it here. + +There is another thought which I will offer in this connection. I +maintain that all _functional_ action of our bodily organism, _ab +initio_, is conducted by _thinking mind_, through the medium of organic +electricity or the electro-vital fluid. Every organ as a whole, and +every life-cell in detail, is charged with this active principle. I +believe that every one of then is controlled and guided incessantly in +its propagating, organizing and entire functional force by _intelligent +mind_, acting through this wonder-working agent--the electro-vital +fluid. In respect to our _voluntary_ exercises, this organic electrical +force is made subject to our own mental activities, and executes its +office upon the bodily organism mainly through the medium of the nerves. +But, as regards all the _involuntary_ functions, I believe that control +is exercised _directly_ by the omniscient and all-pervading God, +although in accordance with his own established laws. + +Once more of the _mind_ let me remark, that _consciousness, sensation, +and will belong to it alone_. The _body_ never thinks nor feels; nor +does the organic electricity within it. The popular idea, especially +with the less educated masses, is that, if a man burn his finger, it is +the finger that smarts. But this can not be true. Pain can exist only +where consciousness is. And there is no consciousness in the finger, nor +in any material part. Only the _mind_ is conscious of _existence_, even; +and hence only the mind can be conscious of pleasure or pain. If a limb +be paralyzed, by interrupting in any way the flow of the electro-vital +fluid through its nerves, and thus depriving the _mind_ of its medium of +communication with it, you may burn that limb to a crisp and the subject +will feel no pain. When you burn your finger or break your arm, you +disturb the action of the electro-vitality in the injured part, +deranging its poles. This electric agent instantly communicates its +disturbance along the nerves to the brain, where it reports to the mind +and tells where the disturbance is. The conscious mind takes cognizance +of the fact and feels distress. + + +THE LOWER ANIMALS. + +It may, by some, be objected that, if we regard sensation as existing +only in the _mind_, as affirmed above, then we must concede mind to the +lower animal tribes, since they are subjects of consciousness, sensation +and will, as truly as ourselves. I admit this necessity, and +unhesitatingly take the position, as has been already done in the +classification of minds, that the lower animals are in fact endowed with +a something higher and more spiritual than their material bodies or +their animal vitality--something which bears distinguishing +characteristics of _mind_. I would not, however, be understood to say, +or to imply, that they possess _all_ the characteristics of our minds, +even in a rudimental degree. I do not believe they do. My theory does +not accord to them either reason or immortality. Yet, in respect to the +latter, my views are less decisive, and my utterances usually more +reserved. But I think their minds may, and probably do, perish with +their bodies. Nevertheless, the existence of consciousness, sensation +and will, in any orders, does evidently presuppose some sort of mental +constitution. And such mental structure, in them as well as in us, must +be distinct from and superior to the animal vitality--compelling service +from the latter, and using it as a medium for communicating with the +body, and with the outer world in general. + + +THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM. + +As to the vegetable kingdom, there is here, so far as we can discover, +only a duality of principle, viz: the material body and a modified phase +of electro-vitality. These component parts appear to sustain to each +other, in the vegetable, relations quite analogous to those of the +corresponding parts in the animal. But here the _mental_ part is +wanting; and consequently there is no consciousness, sensation, nor +will; and the electro-vital action is guided in its elaborate and +beautiful operations for the forming and developing of the plant, and in +all its vital functions, by the all-pervading mind of God. + + +NATURAL POLARIZATION OF MAN'S PHYSICAL ORGANISM. + +_The electro-vital fluid_, in the animal economy, is subject to the same +principles of polarization as the magnetic current from the artificial +machine, or the magnetism of the bar-magnet. In the material organism of +man, the great nerve-centers--the brain, the spinal cord, and the +ganglions--appear to act the part of fixed magnets, charged with the +electro-vital fluid. Indeed, there is much reason to believe that this +fluid is elaborated within these nerve-centers--more especially within +the brain--from the inorganic electricity of the outer world, which is +supplied through the lungs in respiration, and conducted thence to these +laboratories by a remarkably interesting process--a process which I have +not room here to describe, but which I have drawn out in detail in a +manuscript lecture on the circulation of the blood, for my classes, and +which may some day see the light. These nerve-centers, viewed as magnets +of electro-vitality, require to be regarded as having each a positive +nucleus in the interior, on which are ranged the negative ends of the +currents which go out from this positive nucleus in every direction to +the surface of the medullary organ--so radiating, as it were, from +center to periphery. And the nerve-lines and ramifications which issue +from these great nerve-centers are polarized evidently in the same +way--the electro-vital fluid being disposed with its negative ends to +the positive surfaces of the nerve-centers, and its positive or plus +ends to the "vital organs," and especially to the surfaces of the +organism as a whole. There are many other polarizations in the human +system, subordinate to those mentioned above; but I have no room to +speak of them in detail. + + +ELECTRICAL CLASSIFICATION OF DISEASES. + +There are two, and only two, primary classes of disease--those in which +the electro-vital force is abnormally _positive_, and those where it is +preternaturally _negative_. The former class comprises every variety and +phase of hypersthenia, and the latter, every sort and degree of +anæsthesia, or rather, of azoödynamia. _Inflammation_ may be taken as a +general representative of the positive or hypersthenic class--those +forms of disease in which there is too much electro-vitality, or in +which the vital force may be said to be too active. _Paralysis_ may +stand as a general representative of the negative or azoödynamic +class--those in which the vital action is too low or weak. + + +PHILOSOPHY OF DISEASE AND CURE. + +In every part of the animal economy, polar derangements in the +electro-vital principle are liable to occur. These derangements are +always the real foundation of disease. They may be occasioned by a +thousand agencies, which act as the _procuring_ cause of disease; but +the _proximate_ and _sustaining_ cause is polar disturbance--derangement +of the electro-vital poles. Parts which, in health, are relatively +positive, may become negative, and that which should be negative may +become positive. Or again, a part, naturally positive to its +counterpart, may become _excessively_ so, and that which should be +relatively negative may become negative to a _morbid degree_. + +To correct these polar disturbances and restore the normal polarization, +is to _cure the complaint_. This is, under the treatment of most +physicians, often accomplished by the use of medicines, and by +mechanical or surgical agency. We accomplish it by the proper +application of the _poles_ of our electrical apparatus. In cases where +there is _virus_ to be destroyed, or _abnormal growths_ to be removed, +we also secure the _chemical_ action appropriate to these ends by the +proper _selection of our current_. It often happens that _mechanical_ or +_surgical action_ is demanded. In many _such_ cases, we do not profess +to secure normal polarization and consequent cure by means of +electricity alone. Yet, in a large proportion of the cases where +mechanical or surgical agency is usually thought to be indispensable, +we are able to cure by electric action only, since by it we can exert +very considerable mechanical force at will; and can also, in many +instances, attain much more happily, by means of electricity, the very +ends or the _best_ ends which would be aimed at by skillful surgical +operations. + + + + +PRINCIPLES OF PRACTICE. + + +POLAR ANTAGONISM. + +_When the conducting cords are of equal length_, as commonly they should +be, each of the two poles or electrodes produces a polar effect in the +patient directly the opposite of that produced by the other. Also, _at +any point_ in either half of the circuit, if it be within the person of +the patient, the polar effect produced is the very reverse of what is +experienced at the corresponding point in the other half of the circuit. +And further; each half of the current produces a polar effect, at every +point in the parts of the patient through which it runs, the same in +_kind_, though differing in _degree_, as is produced immediately under +the pole or electrode with which it is connected; yet an effect +antagonistic to that which is produced under the other pole, or at the +corresponding point in the other half of the current. + + +IMPORTANCE OF NOTING THE CENTRAL POINT. + +From the above observations, it will be plain that, when we wish to +bring a diseased organ under the influence of the _positive_ pole, we +must carefully place our electrodes so that none of the organ, or none +of the diseased part of it, shall appear on the positive[B] side of the +_central point of the circuit_; it being understood that the current +moves as nearly in direct lines as the best conducting medium will +admit. Or again, if it be desired to bring a diseased organ, or any +extended part of it, under the influence of the _negative_ pole, we must +first calculate in placing our electrodes about where the central point +will come, and then so apply them that no part of the lesion or disease +shall appear on the negative[B] side of the central point; otherwise so +much of it as lies on that side will come under the force of the wrong +pole, and thus be affected in a way the opposite of what was intended. +The characteristic influence of each pole is felt throughout its own +half of the circuit. + + +DISTINCTIVE USE OF EACH POLE. + +I have said that every disease is preternaturally either positive or +negative. I have further said, that the application of either pole to a +given part produces an effect the opposite of what would be produced in +the same part by a reversal of the poles. The way is now prepared for me +to announce THE CENTRAL PRINCIPLE of our system of practice. The reader +will bear in mind that all acutely inflammatory or hypersthenic +affections are electrically _positive_ in excess--having too much vital +action--being _overcharged_ with the electro-vital fluid; and that all +paralytic diseases, or those of a sluggish, azoödynamic character, are +electrically _negative_--having too little electro-vital fluid--too +little vital action. It is a universal law of electricity that positives +repel each other, and that negatives repel each other; but that +positives and negatives attract each other. This is a principle of +electric action everywhere known, where any thing is known on the +subject. _We appropriate it practically to therapeutic purposes._ +Therefore, when I wish to repress or repel inflammation, which is +electrically positive in excess, I put the positive pole to it; or, at +least, I bring it under that half of the circuit with which the positive +pole is connected, and as near to the pole or electrode as possible. And +because two positives repel each other, and also because the direction +of the current is always from the positive to the negative pole, +carrying the electro-vital fluid with it, either I must withdraw my +positive electrode, or that excess of electro-vitality in the diseased +part which makes it morbidly positive, and thus produces inflammation, +must give way. I _will not_ withdraw my positive pole, and therefore the +positive inflammation _must_ retreat and be dispersed. In treating this +case, I will place my _negative_ electrode either on some healthy part, +or, if there be perceptible anywhere in the system a morbidly negative +part, as is often the case, I will place my negative pole there. For +example: if I am treating for _nephritis_--inflammation of the +kidneys--when I do not perceive any part to be abnormally negative, I +manipulate with my positive electrode over the inflamed kidney, having +the negative electrode placed at the coccyx--lowest part of the spine. +My positive pole repels the positive inflammation from the kidney; or, +rather, repels from it that excess of electro-vital fluid which makes it +morbidly positive and induces the inflammation, while the negative pole +attracts the same towards the coccyx. On its way, it becomes more or +less diverted to adjacent nerves; or, if gathered in the healthy part, +under the negative pole, it is immediately dispersed by the normal +circulation as soon as the electrode is removed. But if I find _a spinal +irritation_, say in one or more of the cervical or dorsal vertebræ, and, +at the same time, a stomach affected with _chronic dyspepsia_, +accompanied with _constipation of bowels_, I will work over the inflamed +or irritated spine with my positive pole, because I know from its +irritation that there is an excess of electro-vital fluid in the part, +making it improperly positive; and, with my negative electrode, I will, +at the same time, treat over the stomach, bowels and liver; because I +know, from the _inaction_ of these organs, that there is a lack of the +vital force--a deficiency of the electro-vital fluid--there, and that, +consequently, they are too negative. Adopting this method, I accomplish +two objects in the same treatment. _First_, my positive pole, applied to +the spinal disease, repels from it the excess of electro-vital fluid +which was there doing mischief; and, _second_, my negative pole attracts +the same, along with the artificial or inorganic electricity, to the +stomach and bowels where it is wanted, since negatives attract +positives. Or I wish to rouse to action a _torpid liver_. Now, if I find +_inflammation, or enlargement_ of the spleen, as is commonly the case in +_chills and fever_, I place the positive pole upon the spleen, at the +left side, just below the false ribs, and the negative pole on the +liver, which is best reached immediately below the ribs on the right +side, and around backward and upward as far as to the spine. The +positive pole repels the excess of electro-vitality away from the +positive spleen, and so reduces the improper excitement there, while at +the same time it rushes, by attraction, to the negative liver, under the +negative pole, and makes that more positive, and so more active. In this +way, I change the polarization of the parts, and, in so doing, remove +the sustaining cause of the disease. You here perceive that I treat a +positive part with the positive pole, so as to repel the excess of +electro-vitality from it, and thus repress its excessive action; and +that I treat a negative part with the negative pole, so as to attract +the electro-vital fluid, along with the current from the machine, to it +from under the positive pole, and thus increase the action by making it +more positive. + +But suppose I do what nearly all of the doctors do, who use electricity +with any regard to polarity; that is, if treating acutely inflamed eyes, +for example, apply the negative pole to the eyes, thinking thereby to +make them more negative; or, if treating amaurosis, apply the positive +electrode to the affected parts, thinking thereby to make them more +positive! I say, suppose I do this same thing, do you not see that, by +the fixed laws of electricity, I necessarily increase the evils that I +would remedy? Do you not see that, by placing my negative pole on the +already overcharged and inflamed eyes, I attract to them yet more of the +electro-vital fluid, and so increase their positive condition and +aggravate the inflammation? and that, by presenting my positive +electrode to the eyes already more or less paralyzed, I repel what +little electro-vitality there was there, and so make the nerves all the +more negative and dead? And yet, I repeat it, this is precisely the plan +of almost all the men who use electricity in therapeutic practice with +any regard to its polarization. They treat a positive disease--rather, a +_hypersthenic_ disease, (for they seldom know anything of the +_electrical_ states of diseased parts), with the negative pole, and an +azoödynamic disease, which is negative, with the positive pole!--all +directly antagonistic to science and success. + +But the great mass of physicians, who attempt to treat electrically, +have no knowledge either of the electrical condition of the various +forms of disease, nor of the distinctive and peculiar effects produced +by either pole of the artificial current; and consequently all their use +of this powerful agent is entirely empirical--merely haphazard +experiment. + +I may have raised an inquiry a few moments since which ought to be +answered. I said, in effect, that in treating a positive disease, such, +for instance, as acute, inflammatory rheumatism or acute pleurisy, I +would use the positive pole on the inflamed parts, and the negative pole +on either some healthy part or on a morbidly negative part, if I could +find such. So, too, I said I would treat a negative disease, such as +amaurosis or torpidity of liver, with the negative pole, placing the +positive pole on either some healthy or morbidly positive part. The +query may have arisen, "By placing the one pole or the other on a +healthy part, do you not derange the normal electro-vital action there, +disturbing its healthy polarization?" I answer, yes, for the time being, +I do; and if this disturbing force were to be steadily continued for any +considerable time, the disturbance would produce manifest and serious +disease. But then, a pole or electrode, placed on a healthy part, we +generally move, or ought to move, more or less, every few moments, which +prevents the establishment of any perverted action in the part; and the +moment the electrode is withdrawn, the normal polarization and healthy +action are resumed. + + +USE OF THE LONG CORD. + +It is often desirable to bring the entire parts of the patient, through +which the current is made to pass, under one and the same kind of +influence--such as shall make them all more positive or more negative. +Especially is this true in many cases where we wish to run through but a +_short_ space. For this purpose, there is frequent advantage in using +conducting cords of unequal length. As my views on this point have been +disputed in certain quarters, I will endeavor here to place them in such +a light that they shall not be rejected for want of being _rightly +understood_. + +I have previously remarked[C] that, for practical purposes, it is +sufficiently exact to consider the _magnetic circuit_ as extending only +from the _positive post_, around through the conducting cords, the +electrodes, and the person of the patient, to the _negative post_. We +will so regard it at present. This circuit may be viewed as one +continuous magnet, made up of several sections or shorter magnets placed +end to end--the positive end of the first to the negative end of the +second, and the positive end of the second to the negative end of the +third. In this arrangement, the negative end of the first section is the +negative pole of the one whole magnet, and the positive end of the third +section is the positive pole of the whole magnet. The minimum quantity +of the magnetism is supposed to be at the negative pole, and the maximum +quantity at the positive pole; and the quantity is supposed to increase, +by _regular graduation_, from the negative to the positive pole. This +being so, the quantity is _the same_ in the positive end of either +section and the negative end of the adjoining section, at their point of +contact. + +Now, in practice, the body of the patient, or so much of it as is +embraced between the two electrodes, may be regarded as the _second_ +section in this magnet; and the cord connected with the positive post, +together with its electrode attached, may be counted the _first_ and +_most negative_ section; and the cord connected with the negative post, +along with its electrode, may be the _third_ and _most positive_ +section. And if this whole magnet be more and more positive, by regular +degrees through all the sections, from its negative to its positive end +or pole, then the nearer any given part of it, say the _second +section_--the patient's person, may be to its positive pole in the +negative post, so much the more _positive_ that section or part will be. +And the nearer such part or section may be to the negative pole in the +positive post, so much the more _negative_ it will be. If the cords be +of equal length, the central point in the circuit or magnet will be in +the second section--the person of the patient, midway between the +electrodes; and that section will be charged with the _mean_ quantity +of the magnetic fluid. The _central point_ will hold _exactly_ the mean +quantity. But if the cord in the _first_ section be _two_ yards long, +and that in the _third_ section be _four_ yards, then section +second--the patient's parts under treatment--will be nearest to the +_negative_ pole in the positive post, and consequently will be charged +with much _less_ than the mean quantity of the fluid, and will therefore +be made so much the more _negative_. If, on the other hand, the cord in +section _first_ be _four_ yards in length, and that in section _third_ +be only _two_ yards, then the patient's body--section second--will be +brought nearest to the _positive_ pole in the negative post, and of +course be charged with much _more_ than the mean quantity of the +magnetic fluid, and hence will be made so much the more _positive_. + +It is true that the positive and negative poles of section second--the +parts of the patient between the electrodes--will not be _reversed_ by +any such changes in the length or relative positions of the conducting +cords; nor is such reversal required in those cases where the use of the +_long cord_ is indicated. The only change of polarization called for in +such cases, is that _all_ the parts through which the current is to +pass should, in greater or less degree, be affected alike, as being made +more positive or more negative. Of course these parts will be so +affected in different degrees--those nearest to the _short_ cord the +_most_; those nearest to the _long_ cord the _least_. + +The class of cases where the use of the _long cord_ is more especially +advantageous, comprises those in which it is desirable to run the +current _out_ of the patient at the shortest admissible distance from +the positive electrode. For example, in treating _cynanche tonsillaris_, +(quinsy), if treating with the positive pole in the mouth, we would not +wish to run the current further than to the back of the neck; or, if +treating externally, we would not wish to carry the negative electrode +further from the positive than from side to side. Here the _long cord_, +with the negative electrode, would be a special advantage in subduing +the inflammation. We would not care to _increase_ the inflammatory +action, as we should necessarily do on the positive side of the central +point, by using cords of _equal_ length. + +Again, if treating a case of acute _enteritis_--inflammation of the +intestines--we would not wish, while treating the abdomen with the +positive pole, to increase the inflammation in the lower parts, by using +equal cords and placing the negative pole at the sacrum or the coccyx. +Neither would we wish to reduce the strength of the lower limbs by +carrying the negative pole to the feet. Nor, yet again, would we care to +endanger the thoracic viscera by running the current from the abdomen up +to the dorsal or cervical vertebræ. The true way, in such a case, would +be to connect the negative electrode with a _long cord_, and then to run +the current through the inflamed parts, and _out_ somewhere from the +lumbar vertebræ to the coccyx, by treating over the abdomen with the +positive pole, and placing the negative pole on the lower parts of the +spine. + +As the cords that accompany the machine from the manufacturer are +usually cut about two yards in length, every practitioner should supply +himself with an extra cord, of at least three yards, to be used as the +_long cord_. + + +THE INWARD AND THE OUTWARD CURRENT. + +I have already said that when the conducting-cords are of equal length, +as for the most part they should be, the central point of the circuit +will be in the person of the patient, about midway between the two +electrodes. Now, since the current always runs from the positive to the +negative pole, and makes its whole circuit in that direction, it will be +readily seen that, from the place on the patient where the positive pole +is applied, inward as far as to the central point, the direction of the +current may properly be said to be _inward_; and that, from the central +point to the place of the negative electrode, where the current comes +out, its direction may be said to be _outward_. When, therefore, a part +is treated with the positive pole, or when the part under treatment +appears anywhere between the positive pole and the central point, it is +not unusual to say, It is treated with the _inward current_. And when a +part is treated with the negative pole, or when it appears between the +central point and the negative pole, it is often spoken of as being +treated with the _outward current_. + + +MECHANICAL EFFECT OF EACH POLE. + +The _mechanical_ effect of the forward end of the current, or that part +of it which is under the negative electrode, is to relax, expand and +weaken; while that of the rear end, under the positive electrode, is to +contract and strengthen. A moving ship disperses the waters at its bow, +but draws them in at its stern. The bullet shot from a gun, in passing +through a plank, leaves the perforation closed where it enters in, but +wide open where it comes out. Thus, in physics, the advance end of a +moving body tends to disperse the element through which it is passing, +while the rear end tends to its contraction. Analogous to this are the +_mechanical_ effects of the different ends of an electrical current in +the living tissue. When, therefore, we wish to relax a muscle that is +unnaturally contracted, as by rheumatism or otherwise, we must bring it +under the forward end--the outward current--the negative pole. If we +desire to contract ligaments or muscles that are abnormally relaxed, +(not _atrophied_), as in prolapsus uteri, we must subject them to the +rear end of the current--the positive pole. Parts that are unnaturally +contracted are electrically negative in excess, and need to be made more +positive. And parts that are unhealthily relaxed are too positive, and +should be made more negative. We make a part more positive by applying +to it the negative pole, and more negative by applying to it the +positive pole. Parts _spasmodically_ contracted are acute and positive; +those _permanently_ contracted are chronic and negative. + + +RELAXED AND ATROPHIED CONDITIONS. + +I alluded, above, to a distinction between a _relaxed_ and an +_atrophied_ condition of an organ. There is such a distinction, which +should be carefully observed while treating parts so affected. An +atrophied muscle or organ becomes soft and flabby from lack of +nourishment. But this condition is not properly one of _relaxation_. It +is rather a diminution--a _thinning out_ of atoms, by wasting without +replenishment. Such a condition is always negative, and requires +treatment under the negative pole. On the contrary, relaxed parts, such +as appear in prolapsus uteri, and in the sagging down of the diaphragm, +with the thoracic and abdominal viscera, exhibit no lack of nutrition or +of vital action. Relaxation is a _loosening_ of atoms from each other, +more or less, without loss of aggregate weight; and implies a condition +electrically positive in excess, and calls for treatment with the +positive pole. + + +GENERAL DIRECTIONS OF THE CURRENT. + +_Negative_ affections, as a general rule, are best treated with the +_upward-running_ current--the positive pole being placed at a lower +point than the negative. _Inflammatory_ affections, and other _plus_ +conditions, for the most part, should be treated with the down-running +current, keeping the negative pole at a lower point than the positive. +But these rules admit of frequent exceptions, which every practitioner's +experience will soon reveal. + +The _downward_ current, running _with_ the downward and outward course +of the nerves, tends to _depletion_ and _weakness_, for the reason that +it _runs off_ from the system the electro-vital fluid. The _upward_ +current, on the other hand, running _against_ the nerves, inward towards +their source, feeds the system with fresh electricity, and gives a +_tonic_ effect. Yet for this purpose, it must not be too long continued, +nor of too severe strength, lest it overtask and irritate the +nerve-sheaths. + +In treating a _paralyzed_ organ, the current should commonly be run from +a _healthy_ part, whether that require it to be directed downwards or +upwards. For example: In treating a paralyzed foot or leg, the positive +pole should be upon the lower part of the spine--at the coccyx--or even +under the sole of the opposite foot. It is best to alternate between +these positions. So in treating a paralyzed hand or arm, let the current +be run from the upper part of the spine, and frequently also from the +opposite hand. With the _negative_ electrode, treat all over the +paralyzed parts. Yet it is well, in these cases, often to _reverse_ the +direction of the current for a brief period at the close of the +sittings, say one to two minutes, for the purpose of rousing the nervous +susceptibility, and to prevent exhaustion from too continuously running +off the electro-vital fluid. + + +TREATING WITH ELECTROLYTIC CURRENTS. + +For decomposing and carrying off unnatural growths, as fistula, ficus, +glandular enlargements and other tumors, it is often best to dilute the +_electrolytic_ quality of the galvanic current A B with one or both of +the Faradaic currents, as by taking A C or A D instead of A B. But +_malignant_ and _poisonous_ affections, as scirrhus and other varieties +of cancer, and also cases of infectious virus, demand continually, or +with but occasional exceptions, the primary galvanic current A B. ☞In +treating these malignant affections, the current should be run through +as short a distance of _healthy_ tissue as possible, yet so as fairly to +reach the diseased part. And whether this part be brought, for a given +time, under the one pole or the other, the opposite pole should be +attached to the _long cord_, so as to throw the central point of the +circuit, not in the person of the patient, but out on the long cord, +thus bringing the entire organic parts though which the current is +passed on one and the same side of the center, and so, under the ruling +influence of the same pole. + +Those diseases which require the chemical or electrolytic currents +should, for the most part, be treated under the negative pole, +particularly those which need the galvanic current A B, and also old +ulcers and _chronic irritation of mucus surfaces_. Glandular +enlargements not of scirrhous character, and excrescent growths not +poisonous, may often be reduced, and perhaps sometimes cured, under the +positive pole. But my own experience, even with these affections, is +that it is better to treat them under the negative pole until they come +to assume, as sometimes they will, an _acute_ state, when the positive +pole may be used with success. If, however, it appears desirable to +produce a _cauterizing_ effect, this must be done by persistent +treatment under the negative pole of a strong A B or A C current, and, +if the disease be external, with a small pointed electrode. + + +POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE MANIFESTATIONS. + +_Acute_ diseases are to be regarded as electrically positive, and +_chronic_ affections as negative. The exceptions are rare, if any at +all. _Malignant cholera_, which is eminently acute, might by some be +considered as an exception. In negative diseases, there is a low degree +of electro-vitality. And it has been remarked by careful observers, +particularly in the Orient, that cholera rages with greatest +destructiveness when no special electric phenomena have for long time +appeared in the atmosphere, and when the artificial electrical apparatus +could be made to yield its sparks only with difficulty, or not at all. +And again, after a thunderstorm, when the electric machine works again +freely, the cholera is also found to abate quickly, and sometimes very +greatly. The inference drawn from these facts has been that the +prevalence of cholera is largely owing to a lack of electricity in the +atmosphere, and consequently to a want of the animal electricity or +electro-vitality in the system of the patient; and thence it might be +concluded that cholera implies a negative condition of the system. I +think there is a fallacy in this reasoning. There appears to me to be an +unwarrantable assumption in confidently attributing the long absence +from the heavens of marked electrical phenomena, and the failure of the +electric machine to give its spark, to an unquestioned deficiency of +atmospheric electricity. Electrical manifestations take place only when +the _plus_ and _minus_ conditions are existing, in relation to each +other, somewhat near, or not very remote; and the visible phenomena +appear when the positive and negative rush together, so as to produce a +polar equilibrium. But suppose a _plus_ condition to exist over a wide +region, then, everything being _overcharged_, the visible phenomena +would be as rare and as difficult of attainment as if all around were +negative. How, then, can it be inferred, with any certainty, from such +data, that there is a _deficiency_ of electricity, rather than an +_excess_ of it? + +I have not treated a case of cholera; but my own impression of it is, +that in the first stage, or during the "rice-water" discharges, the +condition of the system is, as in other acute affections, excessively +positive; but that, as the collapse comes on, it rapidly subsides into +an intensely negative state, thus assuming the chief characteristic of a +chronic condition. + +In the above remarks, I would not be understood to indicate any doubt +that the prevalence of cholera is often aggravated or mitigated by +peculiar electrical states of the atmosphere. It appears altogether +probable that such may be the fact; and I should presume that electrical +treatment, properly administered, would be found eminently successful in +this fearful malady. + +Again, in _chronic rheumatism_ there might, at first view, seem to be +frequent exceptions to the rule last above stated; but the cases alluded +to are not such. It is often the fact, during chronic rheumatism, that +soreness and severe pain are felt, especially under the presentation of +the negative pole, thus showing that these points require to be treated +with the positive pole. But, in such cases, although the general disease +of the system be chronic and negative, these sore and severely painful +points have, for the time, risen in their electro-vital condition, and +so become acute and positive. But when chronic rheumatism is attended +with only a _dull_ pain, and that chiefly under exercise of the parts, +and with little or no increase of pain under an application of the +negative pole of the A D current, medium strength, and with no swelling, +then the pain, the stiffness and the lameness are all marks of the +negative state, and the parts must be treated with the negative pole of +the A D current, _strongly_ at first, but diminishing in force, from +time to time, as the patient becomes relieved. + +_Alkaline_ affections--those causing excessive alkaline secretions--are +electrically positive. _Acid_ or _acidulous_ states are negative. + + +HEALING. + +For healing wounds, burns, ulcers, irritation of mucous membranes, and +cutaneous eruptions, the A D current is by far the best. _Recent_ +wounds, contusions and burns are electrically positive. _Old_ ulcers and +irritations are generally negative. + + +DIAGNOSIS. + +To make a correct diagnosis, it is needful to bear in mind the following +general principles: + +1. Where the organism is in health, the momentary application to the +patient of the negative pole of the double Faradaic current B D--the +best for diagnostic use--in good medium strength,[D] will be directly +felt, yet will cause no pain. Whatever _muscular contractions_ may be +produced for the time, they are harmless, and need not be noticed. +Wherever the electro-vital fluid is in _excess_, producing +hypersthenia--too much vital action--the part is morbidly _positive_; +and, excepting sometimes in the stomach and bowels, the B D current, of +medium force, directed to that part under the negative pole, will +produce _sharp pain_. But where a current of full medium strength can +not be felt under the negative pole, there is a morbidly negative +state--a deficiency of vital action--a condition of at least partial +paralysis--anæsthesia. + +2. In a state of health, different persons will have different degrees +of sensibility to the electric current, depending on their varied +nervous susceptibility. Again, the same person will be much less +sensitive to the current when directed to the spine, particularly the +lower part of it, and to the stomach, than when directed to most other +parts. Also, where bones lie near the surface, the periosteum--the +membrane immediately investing the bone--is apt to feel more sensibly +under the electrodes than the muscular parts. But these variations soon +become so familiar to the practitioner that he finds no difficulty in +making the proper allowances for them. + +In making an electrical examination, the two following questions present +themselves to be answered: First, whether anywhere, and, if so, where is +there a morbid electrical state in the body of this patient? Second, +what is the electrical condition of that unhealthy part? Is it +_positive_ or _negative_? + +These questions being answered, according to the tests just given, the +well-instructed practitioner is prepared to go on and treat the patient +judiciously, and with success, if success be attainable by any form of +medication. + +Let me next say, It is best, as a general rule, to make examinations +with the _negative pole_. The reason of this is that, since the current +is always more energetic under the negative than under the positive +pole, it makes itself more sensibly _felt_ there than under the +positive pole. Indeed, it will commonly be felt even to _painfulness_ +there, if the part were overcharged and inflamed before. Thus, under the +negative electrode, the current readily detects any active disease. But, +if we be making the examination with the _positive pole_, as we come +upon any point more or less inflamed, the current, quick as lightning, +rushes away from such inflamed part to the part under the stationary +negative pole, carrying with it, for the time being, more or less of +that excess of electro-vital fluid which was in force at the inflamed +point; so that _no pain_, perhaps, is experienced there; and thus the +disease escapes detection. + +I am aware that it has been said by some of our practitioners, with, if +I rightly remember, the able discoverer of the grand practical +principles of our system, Prof. C. H. Bolles, at their head, that it is +not quite prudent to use the negative pole in hand for diagnosis, lest +we possibly contract the disease from the patient; since, in that case, +the current runs from the patient to the practitioner. They think it +safer to use the positive pole in hand; so letting the current run from +the practitioner to the patient. There is force in this consideration, +without doubt, where the patient is affected with a poisonous or +malignant disease. And where any thing of this nature is apprehended, I +would never examine with the negative pole in hand. But these cases are +commonly so manifest, or so easily determined by colloquial inquiry, +that examination with the electric current is rarely if ever necessary. +And when the disease is plainly not of a poisonous or infectious nature, +I do not think there is any danger to be apprehended from the cause +stated. I therefore prefer, as a general rule, to examine with the +negative pole; and for the reason given above. + +The temperature of the room and the adjustment of apparel should be the +same as for treatment. To prevent improper chilliness, the room ought to +be of such temperature that clothing is not required for bodily +comfort--say, from 70 to 80 degrees, _Fahrenheit_. Seat the patient on a +stool or chair, (a stool is most convenient), and yourself at his side, +with your machine, ready for use, on a table or bench before him, and a +vessel of warm water within easy reach. If the patient be a man we let +his trunk be disrobed, giving free access to the back, chest and +abdomen. If the patient be a woman, let her be covered with a +treating-robe, of which garments the practitioner should keep a supply. +They are made much like a lady's plain nightgown; but large and loose, +so as to serve ladies of any size, and give ample room to work the +electrodes under them. Her skirts should be dropped _below the seat_, so +far that their bands shall lie across her lap. + +Let us now suppose the machine to be working. We will take the B D +current. Let it be of good medium strength. We regulate the strength by +the quantity of fluid in the battery, so far as _volume_ is concerned, +and by means of the plunger as respects _intensity_. The electrodes +should be dampened with warm water. Let the _sponge-roll_, [a very thin +expansion of sponge, quilted upon a muslin lining, and enveloping one of +the tin electrodes], be made the positive pole, and be placed under the +coccyx--lowest part of the spine. Then attach the _positive_ cord; that +is, the cord connected with the _negative_ post, to another sponge-roll, +to be held in the operator's right hand; or, what is better, attach it +to a thin, flexible, metallic wristband, (brass is good, but metallic +lace--such as is used in trimming _regalia_, is best), underlaid with +wet muslin, and fastened around the right wrist. This brings the +operator's hand into the circuit as the negative electrode or pole. +Next, pass a moist, warm sponge all over the patient's back. Now, before +the back becomes dry, press the points of two fingers firmly, yet not +uncomfortably, upon the back of the neck at the base of the skull; +thence move gradually downward, by frequent touches of the same firm but +gentle character, keeping one finger on each side of the spinous +processes, until the whole length of the spine has been, in this manner, +passed over. If sharp pain or soreness be felt at any point, _note_ that +point; there is inflamed irritation there. Then return up to the right +or left shoulder, and pass, in like manner, by frequent touches with one +or two fingers, over all parts of the back on that side of the spine, +down to the hips. Then, in the same way, examine the shoulder and back +on the other side of the spine, noting, as before, every point, if there +be any, where soreness and pain appear. After this, pass over the entire +neck, then over the front parts of the thorax and abdomen, down to the +pelvic bones, everywhere watching for soreness and pain. Next, go to the +head. Wet the hair through to the scalp, (because dry hair is a bad +conductor,) and change to a _very soft_ B C current. Then go over all +the head in the same manner as over the neck and trunk. Better _reverse_ +the poles on the head, by transposing the cords in the posts, so as to +make the manipulating hand the _positive_ pole. The head is, or ought to +be, extremely sensitive. You need not do this, however, if the negative +pole can be received on the head without discomfort, as it sometimes can +be. Commence on the cerebrum, and then pass to the cerebellum. + +If, in the examination of the spine, the practitioner finds it +uncomfortable to bear in his fingers a current of sufficient strength to +be distinctly felt in that part of the patient, he may use the +side-sponge cup on the spine. But let him _never use a current on +another person_ which he does not first apply to his own nerves, so as +to know its intensity. Indeed, if one prefer to use the side-sponge cup +through the whole process, he can do so; although there is advantage in +using the fingers, since, by their concentrated impressions, he is more +sure to detect disease than by the broader face of the sponge cup. + +☞Now, wherever there is found _soreness_ or _lancinating pain_ under the +touch, it is sure that the part is preternaturally _positive_--more or +less so, according to the degree of painful irritability. On the other +hand, if there be found a part evincing much _less_ than the usual +sensibility found in the _healthy_ corresponding part of other patients, +it may safely be pronounced torpid or paralytic, more or less. It lacks +sufficient electro-vitality--is improperly _negative_, and needs to be +treated with the negative pole. + +It will often happen that diseased action is found in parts where the +patient was entirely unaware of its existence until the practitioner's +fingers or other electrode revealed it. Again, it will sometimes be +found that there is no disease whatever in parts where the patient +supposed disease to be active. But when we find patients to be +especially nervous, it is not always best to tell them immediately just +what our examinations have revealed to us--how severely or how little we +think them diseased. It is sometimes better to humor, more or less, the +patient's own views for a time; lest, by exciting him or her, we make a +difficult case out of one that might have been mastered with comparative +ease. In this matter discretion should guide us. + +But let me say farther, what I deeply feel, that neither do I think it +right to _persistently_ conceal from patients, especially those who are +dangerously affected, a knowledge of their true condition. In my +opinion, physicians often unwittingly incur an awful responsibility in +this way, wronging their patients in the most vital and momentous of all +interests--the interests involved in a due preparation for death. I +believe the true way, in every such case, is for the physician himself, +in a kind and soothing manner, to reveal to the patient, little by +little, if need be, what he really thinks, or to ask the patient's +pastor, or some other calm and judicious person to do it for him. I +believe the visits of a discreet and affectionate pastor, or, in the +absence of a pastor, of some other mild and Christian friend, to the +bedside of the sick is, nine times in ten, not only no embarrassment to +the patient's recovery, but positively favorable to it, and ought to be +habitually encouraged, rather than restrained, by medical +practitioners. + + + + +PRESCRIPTIONS. + + +PRELIMINARY REMARKS. + +The author wishes to caution the reader not to rely merely on the forms +of treatment here prescribed, but to study thoroughly the principles +taught in the preceding pages, until he shall have mastered them, and +can judge for himself of the correctness of these prescriptions. It +should be remembered, however, that the diseases here considered are +viewed in their _simple_ or _uncomplicated_ states. Where complications +exist, the treatment must be modified according to the judgment of the +practitioner. + +In these instructions, it is always to be understood that the treatment +prescribed is with _cords of equal length_, except when the _long cord_ +is especially mentioned. + +In most of the local diseases here named, particularly those which are +electrically _negative_, it is desirable to supplement the local +treatment prescribed with occasional _general tonic_ treatment, where, +in the judgment of the practitioner, it can be given without detriment +to the local affection. + +In all treatments, the electrodes should be moistened with warm water. + + +GENERAL TONIC TREATMENT. + +Take the B D current, (A D is very good), of fair medium strength. Place +the sponge-roll, N. P. [Negative Pole], at the coccyx--lowest point of +spine--and manipulate with side-sponge cup, P. P. [Positive Pole], from +the feet all over the lower limbs to and about the hips; occupying three +or four minutes, or less. Then remove the N. P., substituting for the +sponge-roll the end-sponge cup, and place this upon the spine at the +lower part of the neck. Now manipulate with side-sponge cup, P. P., over +the trunk generally, from the lower to the upper parts; giving special +attention to the spinal column by treating it somewhat more than other +parts. Treat the trunk some five to eight minutes. Next, keeping the N. +P. still upon the back of the neck, treat with P. P. over the hands and +arms, up to and about the shoulders. Treat here two or three minutes. + +It has been customary, for the most part, in giving general tonic +treatment, to make the P. P. stationary--placing it successively at the +feet, the coccyx and the hands--and to manipulate above it with the N. +P. But the better way is as directed above. The object is to reinforce +the main nerve-lines and centers with electricity from without. The +nerves branch off from their centers--the brain, the spinal cord, the +ganglions, and the great plexuses--and run, in general, downward and +outward from the trunk lines, in a manner somewhat analogous to the +branches and twigs of an inverted little tree. If we place before us +such a shrub, with the root upward and the branches pointing downwards, +and then draw lines from the lowest point of the lowest twig to the +outer ends of all the branches surrounding the main trunk, we shall see +that our lines, instead of running in the general directions of the +limbs, will, for the most part, run _across_ the twigs. But, if we draw +our lines from the outer extremities of the branches and twigs up to the +root, or near to the source of the trunk, we will find the lines, in the +main, running nearly parallel with the branches. Now, let us substitute +for this inverted tree the nervous system of a man, and remember that +the electric current moves from the positive to the negative pole as +nearly in straight lines as it can where there are good conductors, such +as the nerves and muscles, and it will at once appear that, in treating +the lower limbs, if we place our N. P. at the coccyx, and then +manipulate with P. P. over the feet and legs, our electric lines are +running from all the surface extremities of the nerve ramifications, +wherever the P. P. is moving, directly into and along these fine +ramifications, and, through the larger nerve-branches, up to the +stationary N. P. Or, if we treat the _trunk_ of the body by placing the +N. P. on the spine, near its upper end, and then manipulate with P. P. +from the lower part upward over the back, sides, abdomen and chest, our +current strikes into the surface extremities of the nerves at every +point where the electrode touches, and makes its way upwards, along the +nerve-lines, to the great spinal cord under the N. P.--thus replenishing +with fresh electricity all the ganglions, plexuses and nerve-trunks +along the way. But if P. P. be made stationary at the lower end of the +section under treatment, and we manipulate over the parts with the N. +P., the current strikes from P. P., across the nerve branches and comes +out at their surface extremities wherever the negative electrode +moves--so reaching but indirectly and imperfectly the trunk-lines and +their centers. + + +COMMON COLDS. + +Take the B D Faradaic current--moderate strength. If the affection be +mainly in the head, give, + +_1st._ _A face bath._ Let an earthen wash-basin, nearly filled with +tepid water, be placed on a table or chair before the patient, he +holding the sponge-roll [see page 89] N. P. in his hands. Now let him +bury his face in the water as long as he can hold his breath. At the +instant after his face is in the water, drop into the water the tin +electrode P. P. Repeat this process as often as he recovers his breath, +some eight, ten or a dozen times. + +_2d._ Place the sponge-roll N. P. in the hands as before, and, making an +electrode P. P. of your own hand, in the manner directed for +_diagnosis_, clasp the nose of the patient between your thumb and +finger, moving them up and down along the sides of the nose, and on the +nose between the eyes, about five minutes. + +Repeat the above forms twice or thrice a day. + +If there be hoarseness, or cough, or stricture of lungs, or soreness of +chest, place N. P., with _long cord_, upon back of neck, and treat with +P. P. over the front part of neck and breast, and wherever upon the +thorax stricture or soreness appears. + +If there be a feverish condition of the system, attended, perhaps, with +pain in the head, place P. P. on the spine, a little below the cranium, +and treat with N. P., _long cord_, all the way down the spine, and over +the entire back, sides, thorax and abdomen. In this case let the current +be rather mild, and be continued for a considerable length of time, with +the view of bringing out perspiration. It is _best_ that the patient +should receive treatment in bed, perfectly protected from any cool air +that might restrain or check perspiration. In these cases, I not +unfrequently treat with a light B D current a full hour, unless +perspiration start freely in shorter time, working over the trunk and +limbs generally. But, while treating over the lower limbs, the P. P. +should be upon the hypogastric flexus, at the "small of the back." Treat +once or twice a day until relief appears. + +After the stricture and soreness of the lungs are removed, and the +general febrile action is suppressed, it is desirable to give a _general +tonic treatment_. + + +CEPHALAGIA. (_Headache._) + +1. "_Nervous headache._" Take the B D current--moderate force. Place P. +P. on back of neck, just below the brain, and manipulate with +side-sponge cup, N. P., all the way down the spine and over the back. + +It may often be necessary to apply the P. P. directly to the suffering +part of the head. In that case, take the soft Faradaic current B C. If +the fluid in the battery cell be fresh, use very little--just enough to +reach well the platina plate and make the machine run. Wet the hair +thoroughly through to the scalp, where the electrode is to be applied. +Seat the patient on N. P., or let him hold it in both his hands, (the +former is the better way), and treat lightly over the affected parts of +the head with P. P. Treat five to ten minutes, as may be required, and +if the pain returns, repeat the treatment. Only a very light current can +be safely applied directly to the brain, and that an _induced_ Faradaic +current. + +2. _Sick Headache._ The _procuring_ cause of this distressing disease is +involved in considerable mystery. It seems, however, to be largely +dependent on the secretion and discharge into the duodenum of an +improper quantity of bile, and an irregularity in the peristaltic action +of the upper part of the bowels, particularly of the duodenum, in which +that action more or less is _reversed_, and thereby throws the biliary +fluid up, through the pylorus, into the stomach. After a time, the +stomach becomes nauseated by its accumulation; and the head, through +nervous sympathy, is rendered electrically positive in excess, and thus +is made to ache. Yet there are certain characteristics of the disease +which this view does not satisfactorily explain, and which must remain +unexplained until advancing science shall reveal to us more perfect +light. + +When this disease has become habitual and periodic, it is very +obstinate, and requires persistent treatment--often for several months. + +Take the B D current, with moderate force. Place the N. P. on the spine, +immediately above the kidneys, and treat with P. P. over the stomach and +the duodenum, (lying transversely just below the stomach), three to +five minutes. Treat in this manner about twice a week. + +It may sometimes be necessary to treat the head directly. If so, after +the treatment above prescribed, add that prescribed for the head +directly, in _nervous_ headache, with this difference, viz: instead of +seating the patient on the N. P., or placing the same in his hands, pass +it over the stomach and duodenum, unless the former may be already too +positive. In that case, let the N. P. be at the seat. + + +DEAFNESS. + +_The prognosis_ is very uncertain. This infirmity is often cured by our +system, even when of long standing; and often, again, the treatment +fails. The uncertainty arises from the difficulty in determining the +exact pathological derangement. + +Take the A D current, mild force. Introduce the ear electrode as the N. +P. when the disease is of long standing, or as the P. P. when it is of +recent origin. Apply the opposite pole to the back of the neck. Treat +five to eight minutes, once a day for three or four days, and afterwards +three times a week. If no success appears within three weeks, it will +probably be vain to expect it afterwards. + + +NOISES IN THE HEAD. + +Treat the same as for deafness. + + +INFLAMED EYES. + +If the disease be recent and acute, (but not infectious), as from sewing +or reading by lamp light or other irritation, take the C D current, of +moderate force. Treat with the eye-bath, filled with tepid water, having +the eye open in the water. Make the bath the P. P., and place the N. P. +on the spine at the upper dorsal vertebra. Treat each eye three minutes +daily. + +If the disease be acute and _infectious_, use the A C current some four +to six times, and then change to A D. Apply the current as directed +above. + +If the disease be chronic, or the lids granulated, treat with A D, _very +mild_ current, applying the eye-bath, N. P., to the eyes, and place the +P. P. upon the spine, at the top of the back. Treat each eye three to +five minutes three times a week. + +In cases of simple inflammation, (not infectious), and that chiefly or +entirely in the lids, it is often quite as well or better to treat over +the closed lids with the finger, holding the sponge-roll P. P. in the +same hand. + + +AMAUROSIS. (_Paralysis of the optic nerve._) + +Use B D current, moderate force, three or four times, and then change to +C D. Apply the eye-bath, N. P., to the eye, and sponge-cup P. P. upon +one of the upper dorsal vertebræ. Treat three to five minutes on each +eye, three times a week. + + +STRABISMUS. (_Discordance of the eyes._) + +If neither of the _rectus_ muscles have been cut and cicatrized, and if +the deformity be not congenital, it may ordinarily be cured. + +Take B D current, with small pointed electrodes. If the eye be turned +_inward_, insert P. P. in the outer angle of the eye, so as to bear upon +the _rectus externus_, and N. P. in the inner angle, so as to bear on +the _rectus internus_. Let the current be of what force the patient can +bear. Withdraw the electrodes frequently, to rest the eye, and then +reapply them. Apply the current in this manner six to ten or twelve +times at a sitting. The eye will soon become inflamed, but the +inflammation will quickly go down. Treat daily, or on alternate days, +as the eye can bear. After treating some ten or twelve times, if the +organ does not come into place let it rest a week, and then resume the +treatment as before. + +If the eye be turned _outward_, treat in the same manner as directed +above, except that in this case, the P. P. must be inserted in the +_inner_ and the N. P. in the _outer_ angle. + + +CATARRH. (_Acute._) + +If in the head, treat as prescribed for common colds in the head. If in +the throat, place N. P. somewhere on the dorsal vertebræ, and treat with +P. P.--tongue instrument--in the mouth about five minutes, and then with +end-sponge cup externally upon the affected parts as much longer. Use +the B D current, in good medium strength, twice a day. + + +CATARRH. (_Chronic._) + +If in the head, first give _face-bath_, as in common colds, except with +_reversed poles_ and changing to the A D current, _very mild_ force. If +in the throat or bronchial tubes, place the P. P. of the A D current, +with _long cord_, on the back of the neck or in the mouth, and treat +with N. P., _soft_ current, upon the affected parts, eight or ten +minutes. + +Repeat treatment about three times a week. + + +DIPHTHERIA. + +Use the A D current, strong force. Place the N. P., _long cord_, upon +the lower cervical vertebræ, and then treat, _first_, with the _tongue_ +instrument, P. P., in the mouth, as far back on the tongue as can be +borne, three to five minutes. _Next_, manipulate with sponge-cup, P. P., +or the tin electrode filled with sponge, over all the front parts of the +neck and throat, down to the chest, five to eight minutes. + +Treat as often as once in two or three hours. + + +APHONIA. (_Loss of voice._) + +This affection requires treatment variously, as it depends on one or +another procuring cause. + +If it be the result of recent "cold," inducing acute catarrhal +irritation in the larynx, treat _first_ as for _common cold_, and +_close_ the sitting as follows: Place N. P., _long cord_, of A D +current, in good medium force, upon back of neck or in the mouth, and +treat three to five minutes, twice a day, with P. P., over the front +parts of the air pipe in the neck; mostly over the _larynx_--Adam's +apple. + +If it be from paralysis of the larynx, treat with B D current, rather +strong force; placing P. P., _long cord_, on back of neck or in the +mouth, and work with N. P. over the _larynx_, and somewhat over the air +tube of the neck generally. Treat three to five minutes, daily. + +If, as is sometimes the case, the difficulty proceeds from a relaxation +of the diaphragm, with general sagging down of the thoracic and +abdominal viscera, so as to draw upon the trachea, then treat the whole +trunk tonically, using the B D current. Place the N. P. low on back of +neck, and treat with P. P. over the abdomen and thorax, and especially +all around the edge of the diaphragm--along the lower line of the false +ribs. Treat with medium strength of current, ten minutes, three times a +week. The aim is to contract all the relaxed parts, so to relieve the +larynx from the strain upon it. + + +CROUP. + +Treat croup, whether membranous or spasmodic, much the same as is +prescribed for diphtheria, only, in the latter part of the form, treat +less. + + +ASTHMA. + +Use the A D current, medium force. Treat with P. P. over the shoulders +and between the scapulæ, and with N. P. in front upon the lungs, heart +and diaphragm. Treat five to ten minutes, daily, for three or four days; +after that, three times a week. + + +HEPATIZATION OF LUNGS. + +Take A D current, pretty strong force. Treat in front, over the lungs, +with P. P., moving N. P., _long cord_, on spine from neck to near the +kidneys; that is, over all the dorsal vertebræ. If the current be +severely painful, moderate it to endurance. Treat six to ten minutes +twice a day. + + +PNEUMONIA. + +Take B D current, forceful as the patient can bear, and treat +briefly--say five to seven minutes, several times a day, until relief is +experienced. + +Place N. P., _long cord_, low on back of neck, and move P. P. over all +the upper part of the lungs. Then remove N. P. to the lower dorsal +vertebræ, just above the kidneys, and treat with P. P. over the lower +part of the lungs. If typhoid symptoms attend, follow the above with +placing P. P., medium force, on back of neck, close below the cranium, +and N. P. at coccyx, two or three minutes. + + +PULMONARY PHTHISIS. (_Consumption._) + +After tubercles have been formed _extensively_ in the lungs, and have +_softened down_ over considerable area, carrying down the pulmonary +tissue with them into a state of pus, there is commonly but little hope +of successful treatment. But where they are restricted to comparatively +small extent, and no ulceration exists, they may be decomposed and +absorbed away, or be thrown off in expectoration, and the affected parts +be healed. + +If the case be a _recent_ one, and acute fever, combined, perhaps, with +more or less inflammation, appear in the lungs, use the A C current, in +moderate force, yet all the patient can bear without special distress. +Place N. P., _long cord_, upon the upper dorsal vertebræ for treating +the upper part of the lungs, or upon the lower dorsal vertebræ for +treating their lower part. Then pass P. P. over all the affected parts. +Treat in this manner five to eight minutes, daily, until the +_inflammation_ is suppressed, which will be indicated by an abatement of +the extreme sensitiveness and lancinating pain under the electrode. +Then, if _feverish_ action continue high, remove the N. P. to the +coccyx, or to the lower part of the sacrum, taking the B D current, +_mild_ force, with cords of _equal length_, and treat, as before, with +P. P. over the affected parts, and also over the thorax generally, and +along down the spine to the lower dorsal vertebræ. Continue this +treatment ten to fifteen minutes, daily, until the fever is removed, or +nearly so. For this part of the treatment, it is best to use the hand as +the P. electrode, and to diffuse the current over the whole palm of the +hand wherever special soreness appears. It is better, also, that the +patient receive the treatment in bed, secure from any chilliness or +current of air, so as to facilitate perspiration. + +If the case be one of long standing, and more or less of _pus_, or _pus_ +and _tubercles_, be raised in coughing, take the A D current, with equal +cords and _very_ mild force. Reduce the quantity of battery fluid if +necessary. Now place P. P. at the coccyx and treat with N. P., (the +hand is here much the best), over all the diseased parts. Change +occasionally by removing P. P. to back of neck with _long cord_. The +object is to bring the diseased parts under a very light force of the A +D current, such as is especially healing in old ulcers and chronic +irritation. But if this action should at any time _increase_ fever or +inflammation in the lungs, the poles must be reversed for one or two +treatments. In this stage of the disease, treat ten to twelve or fifteen +minutes, daily, for three or four days, and after that, three times a +week. + + +NEURALGIA AND RHEUMATISM OF THE HEART. + +If _neuralgia_, use B D current; if _rheumatism_, use A D. In either +case, treat the heart with P. P., moderate force, placing N. P. at lower +dorsal or upper lumbar vertebræ. Treat five to eight minutes, daily, +until relief is gained. + +_Rheumatism_ of the heart may be distinguished from _neuralgia_ by its +occasioning irregularity in the cardiac contractions, commonly a sense +of soreness and pain under pressure by the hand, and often perceptible +enlargement of the organ, which neuralgia does not, and also by its +pains being more constant--less fitful--than those of neuralgia. + + +ENLARGEMENT, OR OSSIFICATION OF THE HEART. + +Treat these two affections in the same way. Take the A D current, +moderate force. Place N. P. at the coccyx, or alternately there and, +with _long cord_, on the spine opposite to the heart. Manipulate with P. +P. over the heart. Treat five to eight minutes, three times a week. + + +PALPITATION OF THE HEART. + +This is commonly a symptomatic or sympathetic affection--_rarely_ +idiopathic--and disappears on cure of the disease from which it +proceeds. It usually denotes nervous weakness, and often general +debility. _General tonic treatment_ is indicated, as far as can be given +without interfering with the proper treatment of any local affections on +which the palpitation depends. + + +TORPID LIVER. + +Take A D or B D current, full medium force. Treat with N. P. over the +liver, at the right side, immediately below the short ribs, and thence +backward and a little upward, as far as to the spine, holding P. P. on +the left side, close under the ribs, for about four to six minutes. Then +remove P. P. to the spine, on back of neck, two or three minutes. Next, +go with the P. P. to coccyx two or three minutes; continuing, as at +first, to manipulate with N. P. over the liver. Let the whole treatment +occupy some eight to twelve minutes. Repeat the sittings about three +times a week. + + +HEPATITIS. (_Inflammation of Liver._) + +Use the B D current, with what force the patient can bear. Place N. P. +at the coccyx, and also somewhat on the trunk, opposite to the +inflammation. Then manipulate with P. P. over the inflamed and sore +part. Treat five to eight minutes, once or twice a day. + + +ENLARGEMENT OF LIVER. + +Take A D current, with medium force. Place N. P., some three to five +minutes, on left side, over the spleen; and then as much longer at the +coccyx. Manipulate with P. P. over the liver. Treat about three times a +week. If the enlargement be recent, it will subside; if of long +standing, its restoration will be slow, and somewhat uncertain. + + +BILIARY CALCULI. (_Gravel in Liver._) + +Take A C current, strong as can be borne; and treat the inflamed and +painful part with P. P., while N. P. is upon the right end of the +duodenum. Treat eight to ten minutes, daily. + + +INTERMITTENT FEVER. (_Ague and Fever._) + +Use the A D current. First, give _general tonic treatment_. (See page +95.) Then close the sitting with a _strong_ current, running from spleen +to liver--P. P. upon spleen, in the left side, just below the ribs, and +N. P. upon liver--best reached in the right side, close under the ribs, +and around backward and a little upward as far as to the spine. The +spleen is morbidly positive, and probably enlarged, while the liver is +too negative. Treat spleen and liver in this transverse manner about +five minutes. + +If the chills occur on alternate days, treat on the intervening days; if +every day, treat about two hours before the chill is expected. + + +NEPHRITIS. (_Inflammation of Kidneys._) + +1. _Acute._ If the urinary secretion be _reddish_ and _scant_, with or +without sedimentary deposit, let the inflammation be regarded as +_acute_; and use upon it the B D current of good medium strength, or a +little more, if the patient can bear it. The pain from the current will +probably subside somewhat, and perhaps altogether, under treatment. +Place N. P. at the coccyx, and manipulate over the inflamed and sore +parts with P. P. Treat five to eight minutes, twice a day, if the case +be recent, or once a day, if it be of some weeks standing. + +2. _Chronic._ If it be an old case, and attended with a brownish or a +brickdust-like sediment in the urine, it may be considered _chronic_, +and should be treated with a moderate A D current, once in two days. +Place P. P. at the coccyx, and treat with N. P. over the affected +kidneys. There may be no sense of soreness or swelling, but _dull_ pain. +Treat six to ten minutes. But if the inflammation should rise to an +active or acute state, _reverse the poles_. + + +RENAL CALCULI. (_Gravel in the Kidneys._) + +Take the A C current, of considerable force. Place N. P. low upon the +bladder, and treat with P. P. upon the inflamed and painful point five +to eight minutes, once or twice a day. If treating twice a day, continue +not more than five minutes at a time. + + +DIABETES. (_A Kidney Disease._) + +This disease occurs in two forms--_diabetes insipidus_ and _diabetes +mellitus_. In the first named form, the disease is readily cured. In the +latter, it is very formidable, and is rarely, if ever, cured by +medicines; especially when of long standing. In this latter variety of +the disease, the urea is absent from the urine, and in its place is +found more or less of sugar--often large quantities: Dunglison says +2-1/2 oz. in a pint. + +The electrical state of the disease, in both of these forms, is negative +in excess. + +1. _D. insipidus._ Use the B D current, of moderate force. Place P. P. +at the coccyx or on the upper dorsal vertebra, or on both in +alternation, which is better, and treat over the kidneys with N. P. +five to eight minutes, once a day for three or four days. If this should +fail to cure, (as it seldom will), go on with the same treatment three +times a week. + +2. _D. mellitus._ Take the A D current, of _mild_ force. Place P. P. as +in _d. insipidus_, and treat the kidneys with N. P. about five to eight +minutes, three times a week; supplementing this with _general tonic +treatment_, once or twice a week. + +_Be patient and persevering._ In bad cases, months will be required to +effect a cure; but persistent effort, as above prescribed, will rarely +if ever fail, unless the vital force is nearly expended. + + +DYSPEPSIA. + +This is one of the most difficult of diseases to control by any of the +ordinary modes of medical practice; and yet, under judicious electrical +treatment, it is one of the surest to yield. The disease assumes various +phases in different persons, and at different times in the same person, +requiring varied treatment. + +The pain, after eating, is severe; exhalations of air, apparently from +the inner surfaces of the stomach and bowels, or of gas from their +decomposing contents, are large--often enormous. The stomach is much of +the time acid, and, in some cases, sensibly cold, ejecting often a cold +mucus. The bowels are habitually constipated. The patient is nervous, +irritable, and subject to great depression of spirits. In this stage or +phase of the disease, there is a negative condition of the digestive +apparatus generally. Treat with the A D current, in mild force, and +expect the case to require considerable time. But, since there is no +approach to uniformity among patients, no approximation to definite time +can be stated. Give _general tonic treatment_, (page 95), three times a +week, and close each sitting with local treatment, having P. P. at the +coccyx, and manipulating some five minutes with N. P. over the entire +front parts of the abdomen and thorax, and over the liver. + +It is sometimes found, in old cases, that there is no sensible acidity +of stomach; but a _pyrosis_--a burning sensation in the stomach, or a +little above, in what is usually termed "the pit of the stomach." Treat +this about three minutes with the P. P., strong force; moving N. P., +_long cord_, over the lower dorsal vertebræ. + + +ACUTE DIARRHŒA. + +Take B D current. Place N. P., _long cord_, upon the lumbar vertebræ and +sacrum, moving it often along the spine, from a position opposite to the +umbilicus down to the coccyx; and treat with P. P. over the abdomen, and +more especially wherever pain or sensations of uneasiness appear. In +severe cases, treat several times in a day--once in two to three hours, +if need require, three to five minutes at a time. Use current of full +medium strength, if the patient can bear it. + + +CHRONIC DIARRHŒA. + +Take A D current, of _very mild_ force. Place P. P. at the feet, and +treat with N. P. over the lower limbs _briefly_; then over the bowels +and stomach, both front and rear, some three to five minutes; then pass +up with N. P. over the anterior parts of the chest, two or three +minutes; and, next, place N. P. low on the back of neck, with P. P. +still at feet, two or three minutes. Treat in this manner once daily. + +If at any time the bowels should become unusually flatulent, and +evacuations should increase in frequency, change the treatment. Place +N. P. at back of neck, as before, and treat about five minutes with P. +P. (force increased to _moderate_ current) over the abdomen, daily, from +one to three days, as may be necessary. After this, resume treatment as +first above prescribed. + + +COLIC--_of whatever kind_. + +Use A D current, pretty strong force. In severe cases, introduce the +rectum instrument N. P., _long cord_, or in mild cases, place +sponge-roll N. P., _long cord_, at coccyx, and treat with P. P. over all +the abdomen, three to five minutes. It may be repeated, if necessary, in +thirty minutes. + + +CHOLERA MORBUS. + +Keep the patient still as possible on his back. Use A D current, strong +force. Place N. P., _long cord_, at coccyx, and treat with P. P. over +abdomen, five to ten minutes, and repeat, if necessary, in thirty to +sixty minutes. If there be cramps, touch the contracted muscles with the +P. P., for a few moments, without disturbing N. P. + + +CHOLERA.--(_Malignant._) + +As in cholera morbus, keep the patient on his back, still as can be. Use +A D current, _full medium strength_. + +In the early stage, or during the "_rice-water_" discharges, and down to +the time of collapse, treat the abdomen and thorax with P. P., having N. +P., _long cord_, on back of neck--not too near the head. After treating +so a few moments--say four to six minutes--remove P. P. to the back, and +pass it along close upon each side of the spinous processes from the +lower lumbar up to about the middle of the dorsal vertebræ. Continue +this about three or four minutes. + +If _cramping_ accompany the vomiting and purging, carry the P. P. a part +of the time to the muscles in spasm, leaving N. P. still at the back of +neck, with _long cord_. + +Repeat the above processes as often as once an hour until symptoms +improve. Then reduce their frequency as the case will admit of. + +_In the state of collapse_, place P. P., _long cord_, at the coccyx, and +manipulate with N. P. over the entire trunk and arms; bestowing a larger +share of treatment along up the spine than elsewhere. Then remove P. +P., _long cord_, to feet, and work with N. P. all over the lower limbs +and hips. Treat in this stage of the disease some six or eight minutes +at a time, and repeat it as the case seems to demand--once in thirty +minutes to once in two, four or six hours, until improvement or death +shall ensue. (See page 81.) + + +DYSENTERY. + +Treat exactly as in _acute diarrhœa_, except that P. P. should be +moved more over the _colon_ and _rectum_ than in diarrhœa. + + +CONSTIPATION OF BOWELS. + +This disease may proceed from either a _negative_ condition--a state of +_atony_ from lack of nutrition, or a _partial paralysis_ of the +bowels--or from a _positive_ condition--a state of _relaxation_ and +consequent weakness of the muscular tissues of the bowels. In either of +these cases, the peristaltic action of the intestines becomes enfeebled, +and constipation ensues. + +In either case, use the A D current, of medium force. In the +first-mentioned case, place P. P. at back of neck, or in the mouth with +tongue instrument, and treat with N. P. over liver, stomach and bowels; +or place N. P. at the anus. Treat so five to eight minutes. + +In the second-specified case, place N. P. at back of neck or on the +dorsal vertebræ, and treat with P. P. over the bowels five to eight +minutes. + +In both cases, repeat the treatment daily until relief is afforded. Or, +if the case be _chronic_, treat daily for three or four days, and, after +that, three times a week. It is well also to give _general tonic +treatment_ as often as once a week. The patient should be urged to +retire and _invite_ an evacuation regularly, about the same hour daily, +whether success attend it or not. + + +HÆMORRHOIDS. (_Piles._) + +If the case be recent, take the B D current; if old, take A D. Place the +patient in a recumbent position, and let the rectum instrument, P. P., +be introduced, _wet_. Manipulate with N. P. along the spine upon the +dorsal vertebræ. Where there is _prolapsus ani_, the sponge-roll, placed +at the anus, may be used instead of the rectum instrument, particularly +for the first few treatments. + + +RHEUMATISM. (_Acute Inflammatory._) + +First ascertain if the kidneys be morbidly positive--urine scant and too +highly colored. If so, as is commonly the case, begin with the B D +current, good medium force. Place N. P. at the pelvis, and treat over +the kidneys with P. P. some three or four minutes. Let this be the +commencement of every treatment until _this_ difficulty is corrected. + +Next, change to A D current. If the disease be located in the hips or +lower limbs, put the feet in warm water with the tin electrode N. P., or +place the sponge-roll N. P. at the soles of the feet, and treat with P. +P. upon and a little above the affected parts; using such force of +current as the patient can bear. The pain will commonly subside under +treatment. If the disease be as low as the ankles or feet, use the _long +cord_ with N. P. + +If the shoulders, arms or hands be affected, treat them on the same +principles as are prescribed for the _lower_ limbs; using the _long +cord_ with N. P. when the disease is below the elbows. + +When the disease is in the hands or feet, or near to them, if the +shoulders or hips be not involved, it is often necessary, after three +or four treatments as above described, to _reverse the poles_ for a few +moments, giving an ascending current; but still using the _long cord_ +with N. P. + +If the disease be located anywhere in the trunk, neck or head, treat the +affected part with P. P., placing N. P. on some adjacent part of the +spine, and usually at a point somewhat _lower down_ than the disease. + +For acute inflammatory rheumatism, treat once a day. The length of time +for each treatment must depend on the location and extent of the +affected part or parts. In this matter, the practitioner must decide for +himself, or infer from the time prescribed in the treatment of other +inflammatory affections. + + +RHEUMATISM. (_Chronic._) + +Use the A D current _always_ in rheumatic affections. If there be no +visible inflammation or swelling in the diseased parts, approach such +parts in the same manner as in acute inflammatory rheumatism, except +with _reversed poles_. The parts affected require to come under the N. +P. rather than the P. P., and to be treated with considerable force. +There are _apparently_ exceptional cases, referred to on page 83, which +see. + +Where joints are being dislocated, treat the parts with N. P., quite +mild force, so long as it can be done without exciting acute +inflammation. If this should arise, it must be repressed with P. P. + +Treat chronic rheumatism about three times a week. + + +DROPSY. + +Use the A D current, moderate force. Give _general tonic treatment_; +then place P. P. with the feet, in a vessel of warm water, or place the +sponge-roll P. P. at the soles of the feet, and treat the affected parts +a few minutes with N. P., to quicken the absorbents. If the disease be +in the feet or lower limbs, use _long cord_ with P. P. while treating +them. Next place N. P. upon the lower part of the bladder, or, what is +better, immediately below the pubic articulation, and treat over the +kidneys three to five minutes with P. P. Repeat the treatments about +three times a week. + + +NEURALGIA. + +If the disease be general in the system, moving from place to place, or +causing transient acute pains here and there, give general tonic +treatment, three times a week, for several weeks--perhaps a month or +two, provided the case be an old one. This will invigorate the nervous +system and equalize the electric action. _Relief_ will be afforded soon; +but for the sake of _cure_, the treatment of an old case should be +continued as here directed. If the disease be _local_, use the B D +current, with as much force as the patient can bear without irritating +painfulness. Treat the affected part, or parts, with P. P., placing N. +P., _long cord_, upon some approximate healthy part, at a point a little +lower down than the part in pain. The spine, when convenient, is +commonly the best point for it. In treating the painful part, pass the +electrode more or less also over the nerves adjacent to the one +principally affected. Treat five to eight minutes daily. + + +SCIATICA. + +This is neuralgia in an ischiatic nerve, commonly the _great_ ischiatic. + +Use the B D current, strong as the patient can well bear. Place the foot +in warm water with N. P., or place the sponge-roll N. P. at the sole of +the foot, (the former is the best,) and treat with P. P. over the +painful part, and also, more or less, over adjacent parts. It is also +well, in order to prevent too much exhaustion of the limb, to _reverse +the poles_ every third or fourth time; but in so doing, use the _long +cord_ with N. P. + + +PARALYSIS. + +Take the B D current, medium force. If the paralysis be in a lower limb, +place P. P., _long cord_, upon the lower lumbar vertebræ, so as to reach +the hypogastric plexus, and treat with the metallic brush, N. P., five +to eight minutes, over all the affected parts. Then close the sitting +with _reversed poles_, about one to two minutes, having P. P., _long +cord_, at the foot, and manipulating over the parts affected, and +especially over the lumbar vertebræ, with N. P. This is to prevent +depletion by _running off_ the electro-vital fluid too much, and to +force the electric current through the nerves in an upward and inward +tonic-giving direction. If the disease be in an arm or hand, treat it in +a manner analogous to the above; extending the treatment from back of +neck to the affected parts. + +In case of _hemiplegia_ or _paraplegia_, run the current from the +healthy _side_ of the spine, (in hemiplegia,) or from a healthy _part_ +of the spine, (in paraplegia,) to and through the paralyzed parts, by +placing P. P., _long cord_, on spine, and manipulating with N. P., +metallic brush commonly, upon the parts paralyzed. Close the treatment +with reversed poles for a moment or two, as in the preceding cases. +_Old_ paralysis requires considerable _time_ to cure it. Treat about +three times a week, occasionally omitting a week. + + +ERYSIPELAS. + +Take the A. D. current, medium force, in all forms of the diseases. + +1. When acute, and characterized by high inflammation, with bright, +smooth swelling, and spreading gradually and sometimes rapidly to +surrounding parts; or when small vesicles appear on the inflamed parts, +which dry up in little branlike scales and fall off. + +If it be located anywhere upon the face, place N. P., _long cord_, upon +back of neck, and treat the parts affected with P. P. Treat about three +to five minutes at a time, three or four times daily. + +If it be located in the arm or hand, place the extremity in tepid water +with N. P., _long cord_, and treat upon or just above the diseased part +with P. P. + +If it be in any part of the trunk, (which, in this form, is not so +common,) place N. P., _long cord_, upon some point of the spine as near +the diseased part as may be, but a little lower down, and treat the part +affected with P. P. + +In each of these cases, treat briefly, but frequently, as directed +above. + +2. When small, blister-like, serous vesicles--_phlyctæna_--appear, and +the inflammation terminates in gangrene; or when there is such an +infiltration of serum as to produce an œdematous condition, place P. P., +_long cord_, upon some convenient healthy part, (the spinal cord, or +other nerve centre which gives nervous service to the part affected, is +best,) and treat the lesion with N. P., _light force_, five to eight +minutes daily. + + +ERUPTIVE CUTANEOUS DISEASES. + +Take A D current, pretty _vigorous_ force in _acute_ cases; _mild_ in +_chronic_ affections. If the eruption be inflamed and acute, use _long +cord_ with N. P.; if sluggish and chronic, use _long cord_ with P. P. +Move the two electrodes parallel to each other, upon the patient, about +two or three inches apart; and pass them over all the affected surface. +Repeat the treatment daily in acute affections, and three times a week +in chronic cases. + + +COMMON CRAMP. + +Although either the positive or the negative pole, applied to the +healthy muscle, may produce spasmodic contraction, yet the negative pole +contracts much more powerfully than the positive--a fact which shows an +electrically _plus_ condition in the nerves and muscles involved. Yet we +know that cramps are more apt to attend a _low_ condition of general +vitality in the system than the opposite. From several considerations, +which can not be detailed here, I am led to think that cramps are +produced, generally, at least, by a temporary or spasmodic _reaction_ of +the electro-vital force from an improperly negative to an excessively +positive state in the parts affected. + +My practice is, when the spasm is on, to treat the parts in cramp by +momentary touches rapidly repeated, with the P. P. of the B D or A D +current, good medium force, placing N. P. at the back of neck, if the +disturbance be in an arm; or at the coccyx, if it be in a leg or in the +abdomen or chest. + +In treating parts subject to cramp while the spasm is _not_ on, give +them, along with other parts of the system, _general tonic treatment_, +as directed on page 95. This elevates and equalizes the electro-vital +action, and relieves the difficulty. + + +TRISMUS. (_Lockjaw._) + +For traumatic trismus, use the B D current, of vigorous force. Let the +wound be kept open and clear, except that soothing emollients may be +applied. Place N. P. at the coccyx, or near it on the spine; and then +treat, by firm but momentary touches of the P. P., over the lower +maxillary--_pterygoid_--muscles and nerves; indeed, over the _entire_ +lower jaw and its articulations. Treat five to ten minutes, if +necessary, or until the jaws relax. + + +TETANUS. + +This is substantially the same thing as _trismus_, except that it +extends to other parts, and often to nearly all the muscles of the +organism. Under ordinary treatment, it is almost invariably fatal. I am +not aware that it has been sufficiently submitted to _our_ electrical +system to determine satisfactorily the question of its amenability to +it. Yet I see no reason to doubt that, in the most of cases, when taken +within reasonable time, it may be cured. + +Use the B D current, in pretty strong force. Place the N. P., _long +cord_, at the feet, and treat with P. P. from the medulla oblongata, or +from the upper cervical vertebra, all along down the spine, for several +minutes--say, three to five minutes. Then pass with P. P. over the whole +trunk and limbs. Continue to treat until relaxation takes place, or all +hope of relief departs. + + +CANCERS. + +Cancers take on a variety of forms, distinguished by different names; +but since they all require substantially the same electrical treatment, +it is unnecessary here to describe them. + +Begin with the A B current in pretty full volume. [The _volume_ of the +current is increased by increasing the quantity of battery fluid.] Use +this for several weeks, and then change to the A D current. Treat +daily. The time for each treatment must be determined by the judgment of +the practitioner; varying it according to the peculiar character and +location of the disease. + +If the cancer be on the face, or on any part of the head or breast, +place P. P. on back of neck; but if it be in the stomach, uterus, or any +of the abdominal viscera, place P. P. on spine, a little higher than the +affected part. Then treat the disease with N. P., _long cord_, so as to +run the current immediately _out_ from the lesion, and yet bring the +latter on the _negative_ side[E] of the central point in the circuit; +that is, within the negative half of the whole circuit. + + +ASPHYXIA. (_Suspended Animation._) + +Use B D current, pretty strong force. Place P. P. at back of +neck--second or third cervical vertebra, and treat with N. P., over all +the chest and along the lower margin of the ribs, so as to excite the +pectoral muscles, lungs and diaphragm. + + +RECENT WOUNDS, CONTUSIONS AND BURNS. + +Use the B D current, strong force as can be borne. Bring the lesion +under P. P., and place N. P. at discretion, in view of the location of +the injury. Treat five to eight minutes, twice or thrice on the same +day. Unless the injury is very severe, no further treatment will be +required. Healing will take place with little or no soreness or +swelling. In severe cases, repeat the treatment whenever inflammation +gets too high. If _fungus_--"proud flesh"--should appear, treat that +with a small-pointed electrode, N. P., placing P. P. on a healthy part, +not remote, using A C current, in pretty strong force. + + +OLD ULCERS. + +Take the A D current. If _torpid_, treat with mild force. Treat the sore +with N. P., while P. P. is held upon some healthy part, and usually at a +higher point. Treat five to ten minutes, three or four times a week. If +_high inflammation_ be present, this must first be reduced by applying +P. P., in pretty strong force, with N. P., on a healthy part not far +away. For this purpose, treat some five to eight minutes daily. Then, +when the inflammation is sufficiently subdued, treat as when _torpid_, +with mild force and less frequently. It is best, when it can be done, to +place the affected part in warm water along with N. P.; bringing the +ulcer immediately above the surface of the water. + + +HEMORRHAGE. + +Take B D current, strong force. Apply P. P. to the open blood-vessel, or +as near to it as possible; placing N. P., _long cord_, to some adjacent +part, and, as nearly as practicable, in the direction from which the +blood chiefly comes. + + +CHLOROSIS. (_Green Sickness._) + +This is a disease mostly or entirely peculiar to young women who have +not menstruated, and disappears on the establishment of the monthly +periods. + +Take the A D current. If any symptoms exist of an effort of nature to +bring on the menses, note the _time_ of them, and regard it, in the +treatment, as the proper monthly period. If no symptoms of such a period +are perceptible, the practitioner must _fix_ upon a time for it, and +regard it accordingly. About four to six days before the periodic time, +commence to treat as follows, using a _moderate force_: Insert the +uterine electrode, N. P., wet in warm water, per vagina, until it meets +the uterus; and manipulate with P. P. over the dorsal and first two +lumbar vertebræ, and more or less over the back on both sides of the +spinal column, some six or eight minutes daily, down to the period fixed +upon for the catamenia to appear. If they do not start, let the patient +rest for some four or five days, and then begin with _general tonic +treatment_. (See page 95.) Continue this, three times a week, until +within a little less than a week of the _periodic_ time, when the same +treatment with the uterine electrode as was at first employed should be +resumed, and again be continued to the time assigned for the menses. If +no success should appear, return, after a few days, to _general tonic +treatment_ as before. Let these forms of treatment be prosecuted until +success crowns the effort. Ordinarily, not many months--perhaps not more +than one or two months--will be required; especially, if the treatment +be aided, on the part of the patient, by a good degree of moderate +exercise in the open air, and a free, nourishing diet. + + +AMENORRHŒA. (_Suppressed Menstruation._) + +Treat as for _chlorosis_. But if the case be recent--the effect of +taking cold--begin, in the first few sittings, to treat eight or ten +minutes as for common cold; then conclude the sitting by treating, about +as many minutes, in the same manner as prescribed for chlorosis. + + +DYSMENORRHŒA. (_Painful Menstruation._) + +If the disease be occasioned by uterine displacement, obstructing the +_os uteri_, the organ must be restored to its normal position. This can +best be done by mechanical action. But it is most commonly occasioned by +irritation of the mucus membrane lining the interior cavity of the +uterus. Mucus surfaces, under _chronic_ irritation, are electrically +negative. Therefore, in this case, if it be an _old_ one, taking the A D +current, _very mild force_, apply the uterine electrode, N. P., to the +_os uteri_, and treat over the lower dorsal and upper lumbar vertebræ +with P. P., _long cord_. Treat five to eight minutes, three times a +week. + +But I should add, that recovery from this infirmity, when occasioned by +uterine irritation, will be much aided by commencing each sitting with +a _general tonic treatment_ (see page 95), and closing with the +treatment just above prescribed. + +The last described form of dysmenorrhœa is sometimes attended with +spasmodic contraction of the _os uteri_, thus preventing the catamenial +flow. This may be readily relieved by applying P. P. to uterus, and N. +P. to lower dorsal and upper lumbar vertebræ. + + +MENORRHAGIA. (_Excessive Menstruation._) + +If the menstrual flow is apt to terminate in hemorrhage, it is best to +give _general tonic treatments_, about three times a week, between the +periods; and during the last four or five days before color is expected +to appear, to take the B D current, medium force, and treat the uterus +directly, once a day, with the uterine electrode P. P., while moving N. +P. over the dorsal vertebræ, about five to eight minutes, at the close +of _general tonic treatment_. + +If there be no _hemorrhage_, properly, but only too profuse or too +long-continued flow of catamenia, the discharge may commonly be stopped +by one or two treatments, of eight to ten minutes each, with the uterine +electrode, as prescribed above. + + +PROLAPSUS UTERI. (_Falling of the Womb._) + +Take the B D current, of good medium force, and give _general tonic +treatment_ (see page 95), on alternate days, ten minutes, passing +briefly over the several parts. After this, treat five to eight minutes +with uterine electrode, in the manner prescribed for _menorrhagia_. Then +close the sitting by removing the uterine instrument, substituting the +sponge-cup as P. P., and treating with it externally, about five +minutes, over the pelvic region, while N. P. is stationed on the spine, +at the first or second dorsal vertebra. + +On the _intervening_ days, treat only with the uterine electrode, as +above prescribed. + + +LEUCORRHŒA. (_Whites._) + +Take A D current, _very mild_ force. Introduce the vaginal electrode, N. +P., until it meets the uterus, and manipulate with P. P. over the dorsal +vertebræ five to eight minutes, three times a week. Once or twice a +week, on the intervening days, give _general tonic treatment_. Omit +treatment altogether, for one or two weeks, once in two to three +months. Considerable time is often required for the cure of old cases. + + +SPERMATORRHŒA. + +The points to be gained are, to reduce the action of the amatorial +organs of the brain and the secretion of the _testes_, and to contract +and strengthen the tissue of the seminal vesicles and the prostrate +gland. + +Take the B D current. First, treat the lowest part of the cerebellum, on +both sides of the spinal cord, with a _mild_ force; using P. P. upon +these organs of amativeness, and N. P. on the dorsal vertebræ. Treat so +some three minutes. Next, increase the current to medium force; and, +taking a handled cup or mug, holding a pint to a quart, mostly filled +with tepid water, drop the _penis_ and _testicles_ into it, along with +the tin electrode P. P., and move N. P., _long cord_, over the lumbar +vertebræ. Treat in this manner about five minutes. Then place the P. P. +on the pelvis, close above the penis, and again treat with N. P., _long +cord_, over the small of the back, two or three minutes. Treat about +three times a week. + + +IMPOTENCE. + +Take B D current, moderate force. Treat exactly as in spermatorrhœa, +except with _reversed poles_, using the _long cord_ with P. P. Treat +thrice a week. + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[A] The _process_ of this will probably be explained if another edition +should be called for. It is given in one of the author's Class Lectures. + +[B] Study carefully _Polarization of the Circuit_, page 29. + +[C] _Polarization of the Circuit_, page 29. + +[D] By a current of _good medium strength_, I mean one which, in the +hands, is ordinarily felt rather strongly, yet not sufficiently so to +produce distress. + +[E] See _Polarization of the Circuit_. Page 29. + + + + +Transcriber's Endnotes: + + The following corrections have been made to the original text: + + Contents & P. 123. "Hœmorrhoids" amended to _Hæmorrhoids_. + + P. xix & P. 36. "faradaism" amended to _faradism_. This, however, + could be an obscure variant as with Faradaic, Faradic. + + P. 101. "pilorus" amended to _pylorus_. + + P. 130. "œdemetous" amended to _œdematous_. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Newly Discovered System of +Electrical Medication, by Daniel Clark + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELECTRICAL MEDICATION *** + +***** This file should be named 23813-0.txt or 23813-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/8/1/23813/ + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from scans of public domain works at the +University of Michigan's Making of America collection.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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