Electro-physiology and electro-therapeutics : showing the best methods for the medical uses of electricity / By Alfred C. Garratt.
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ode, without being tetanic, affording a type and idea of certain
diseases of the spinal system of the deepest interest — one on
which the rationale of the symptoms and the adaptation of
remedies alike and equally depend.
" Now, in this point of view, the effect of strychnine on the
frog presents the type of hydrophobia. In both the blood is
poisoned; in both the spinal system is in a condition of ex-
tremely augmented excitability, without being necessarily excited.
Avoid all excitation, and the frog recovers. Apply excitation
of the mildest character, continuously, and the frog speedily
dies; here an experiment accurately presents not only the type
of the malady, but of the treatment.
" In this experiment, as in hydrophobia itself, we have two
conditions, one of excitability, the other of actual excitement,
according as excitation is averted or admitted. I propose to
designate the former condition by the termination ode, the latter
by that of ic. The frog, unexcited, is still tetanorfe; excited, it
becomes tetanic. The patient affected with hydrophobia is hy-
drophobic ; is he necessarily hydrophobic ? The former state
admits of recovery ; the latter soon destroys.
" In this point of view we may consider other diseases of the
spinal system. The patient affected with tetanus is not neces-
sarily tetanic; he is only tctaiw/e. If excited, he dies. What
if he were or could be preserved absolutely from all excite-
ment? He dies of violent and exhausting spasms. These
spasms are reflex actions; reflex actions are necessarily excited.
Remove all excitation, and the spasms — that is, the cause of
death — would be averted.
" In like manner, the newly-decapitated snake is full of excitor
and motor power, yet free from movement, unless an excitant
be applied. So also of certain forms of convulsive disease in
infants and in adults. The patients are spasmator/e or spas-
mati'c, according as they are excited or preserved from excite-
ment. The difference throughout is that of the predisposition to
or actual condition of, spasmodic action ; or that of excitability
and excitement. The former may subside, the latter destroys.
" The further difference between hydrophobia and tetanus is,
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