Electro-physiology and electro-therapeutics : showing the best methods for the medical uses of electricity / By Alfred C. Garratt.
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with it. Success in these cases greatly depends on a smooth
current with gentleness: the applying, the continuing, and
removing the current without change of density, or change of
direction of the current, in the main is the rule here for treat-
ment. (See p. 477, and Appendix B.)
In muscular and periphery neuralgia, as, indeed, in some
other cases where the pains are more diffused and somewhat
rheumatic, we can manage to observe this law of application for
neuralgia, and yet, as it were, wash or bathe the part with the
electric current. By beginning with a very gentle current of
electro-magnetism, then after a few seconds or a minute, (and
while the applied sponges are being very gently moved along
over the skin,) let another person push the bundle of wires or
iron rod a little further into the machine, to increase the current
in the most cautious and imperceptible manner possible, and the
patient will bear this labile movement of the electrode, and with
it a larger current than could be borne if abruptly applied, or
retained in one position when applied.
After no small experience in treating the various neuralgias
by means of electricity, Dr. H. W. Lobb says he is now inclined
to divide the whole family of neuralgias (as respects treatment
by this means) into two great divisions or classes; the one re-
quiring the " direct" current of Galvanism or Faradaism to
effect a cure, while the other class is reached only by the " in-
verse " current. In this connection, he calls the direct current
stimulating-, and the inverse current lowering, calming, or de-
pressing in its effects on such morbid nerve action. Therefore,
he says, the sagacity of the physician must decide in a given
case which current is best — is the right and only one to be
used. He remarks further, that " during the month of June
last, I had under my treatment, at the Western General Dispen-
satory, three cases of infra-mammary pain that was neuralgic.
Dr. C. was present, and also desirous of making use of the
so-called continuous (primary) current of galvanism, as a means
of diagnosis and treatment, he having heard that I believed
neuralgias to be, in this respect, of two distinct classes. There-
fore, the direct current was applied to two of these women, and