Electro-physiology and electro-therapeutics : showing the best methods for the medical uses of electricity / By Alfred C. Garratt.
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viceable than the sulphur bandage. In these cold and old cases of rheumatism, the sulphur may be taken internally, with some tincture of guaiac, or the citrate of ferri and quinine, and, at the same time, actively apply electric currents, according to the rules for the rheumatic cases, and the recovery will be greatly expedited, and the cure (?) will be more likely to be lasting. There is a kind of face-ache which, as Dr. Watson says, can- not be recorded, properly, as a species of neuralgia; for it does not occur in short, stabbing paroxysms, nor is the pain acute enough to entitle it to the name of tic douloureux, but which is, notwithstanding, very common and distressing, and, under ordi- nary treatment, is often very intractable. This is called, by some, a rheumatic face pain. It occupies the lower part of the face — the jaw especially; but the patient cannot tell you exactly whereabouts it is most intense. It is often thought to proceed from toothache; but perhaps the teeth are all sound, or suspected teeth are extracted with no relief. This pain is doubtless periosteal rheumatism, and proceeds from a cold ; or it may sometimes be a muscular hyperesthesia, or even partak- ing of both of these. If not inflammatory, we are to apply electric currents as for neuralgia, and give the patient iodide of potassium in five-grain doses, which will speedily work a cure. When this does not succeed, which is very seldom, then the muriate of ammonia, in half-drachm doses, well diluted, and given every six hours, will soon eradicate the malady. (See D.) It is well to bear in mind the opinion that M. Ricord, of Paris, has arrived at from his extensive experience; and that is, that the iodide of potassium makes an impression on the cerebro-spinal nervous system that is sometimes made percepti- ble in cerebral excitement proceeding from congestion, and with symptoms like those of ordinary intoxication. At other times the motor nerves are slightly affected, giving rise to subsidtus tendinum in a slight degree ; and it is said that amaurosis has, on rare occasions, (from over-dosing,) supervened. This is a powerful galvanic remedy, and requires to be prudently admin- istered. 31*