Electro-physiology and electro-therapeutics : showing the best methods for the medical uses of electricity / By Alfred C. Garratt.
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that on placing one (the positive) electrode over the nerve me- dianus of the palsied arm, at the lower third of the humerus, while the other electrode was applied, say first over the body of the flexor muscles of the forearm, and then moved transversely, but slowly, around the arm to the outer side until this electrode rested over the body of the extensor communis digitorum mus- cle, while a gentle,' say one-third current, was circulating in a downward direction, it was seen that the muscles contracted en- tirely too promptly and powerfully for such a current. Particu- larly was this phenomenon noticed in the extensors, which now drew out the long-contracted fingers and retained them so, as long as the current thus circulated ; but they fell back into their accustomed helpless rigidity as soon as the electrodes were removed. When the electrodes with the same current were transferred to the same muscles of the sound (right) arm of the patient, merely for a comparison, she said the sensation was greater; but we saw that the contraction was decidedly less than it produced in the palsied arm. Notwithstanding, the patient declared herself better, and, indeed, she certainly ap- peared better during these few doubtful treatments ; but, as she was already dismissed from the hospital before we commenced the test, she soon left, and was lost sight of. It is highly proba- ble that this fine-looking young woman was actually suffering from a tumor at the base of the brain, and could never be entirely well. Third Class. — Case of hemiplegia, showing nearly normal electro-muscular excitability of all the muscles. Georgiana W., aged forty-five, of a somewhat rheumatic constitution, but otherwise always robust and well, until some years ago she had an apoplectic fit, in which she lay somnolent for some hours. She then gradually recovered, but with a total loss of speech, palsy of the left side of the face, and a complete paralysis of the right arm and leg. And thus she remained for some four months, during which time she was despaired of. But to the surprise of friends she soon after that began to recover, and that without any change of medical treatment; indeed, without any active treatment at all. Her improvement was so rapid