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 vertebrae. 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 vertebrae, 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 vertebrae, 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 scapulae, 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 vertebrae. 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 vertebrae, 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 vertebrae for treating the upper part of the lungs, or upon the lower dorsal vertebrae 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 vertebrae. 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 vertebrae. 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 vertebrae.

ACUTE DIARRH[OE]A.

Take B D current. Place N. P., long cord, upon the lumbar vertebrae 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 DIARRH[OE]A.

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 vertebrae. 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 diarrh[oe]a, except that P. P. should be moved more over the colon and rectum than in diarrh[oe]a.

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 vertebrae, 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.

HAEMORRHOIDS. (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 vertebrae. 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 vertebrae, 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 vertebrae, 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—phlyctaena—appear, and the inflammation terminates in gangrene; or when there is such an infiltration of serum as to produce an [oe]dematous 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 vertebrae, 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.

AMENORRH[OE]A. (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.

DYSMENORRH[OE]A. (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 vertebrae 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 dysmenorrh[oe]a 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 vertebrae.

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 vertebrae, 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.

LEUCORRH[OE]A. (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 vertebrae 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.

SPERMATORRH[OE]A.

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 vertebrae. 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 vertebrae. 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 spermatorrh[oe]a, 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. "H[oe]morrhoids" amended to Haemorrhoids.

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. "[oe]demetous" amended to [oe]dematous.

THE END