Electro-physiology and electro-therapeutics : showing the best methods for the medical uses of electricity / By Alfred C. Garratt.
132/740

and then making repeated contacts. The current can be made very active by wetting the two pads with salt and water when applying them; or, if applied dry, the constant current begins gently, and flows continuously. It can thus be employed so as to be as varied and active on living tissues as the primary cur- rent of the electro-magnetic machine; and thus much efficient work can be readily done by it. But it is in the hands of the busy and hurried general practitioner of medicine that this " multum in parvo " of an electric machine can be subservient to the greatest number and yariety of purposes, rather than for the special practitioner. The particular cases for which this is indicated will often be specified, but more usually they must be decided upon from general principles. (See Chapter V., also page 475, and the Appendix.) Pulvermachers chain, (better known in Europe,) is a very remarkable miniature voltaic pile. The pairs of this consist simply of a piece of hard wood, around which is coiled a zinc wire, that terminates at one end with a hook or eye; and then there is coiled between the zinc coils a brass wire that terminates at the other end of the link in the same manner. This forms an element. These are linked together like a chain, the brass end of one into the zinc end of the next, and so on for sixty or one hundred and twenty links, which terminate with a brass buckle and belt at one end, and a silver plated buckle at the other, for fastening it about the body or limb; or, according to Pulvermacher's directions, " Apply the gold buckle over the spine, and the silver buckle over the seat of disease." Besides, there is a clock-work for breaking the current, &c. But this voltaic principle, for economy, coi'rect as it certainly is, becomes a failure in practice — first, because of its frail construction; second, because of its electrode arrangements being intended for empirical application, rather than for scientific and skilful manipulation. The Electric Moxa of Dr. Golding Bird is admirably made by the Humboldt battery, heretofore described. He advised the making of two blisters, by blister-plaster, in the ordinary way; the one above, the other below, the spot that is to be affected.