Electro-physiology and electro-therapeutics : showing the best methods for the medical uses of electricity / By Alfred C. Garratt.
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It is not necessary to blister the skin. Indeed, we are to under- stand that here we do not employ the " electrodes " of any battery, but rather the plates themselves, which are applied to the sound surfaces of the limb or body, and so act. That is to say, two disks of metal — the one of silver, larger but thinner than a Spanish dollar; the other of zinc, and a little larger than the silver — arc applied directly to the skin ; the silver is placed a little beyond or below, just on the edge of the ulcer, while the zinc is some few inches above it on sound skin, and so placed that the sore is brought between the two plates. Only, the plates must be moistened and covered with rubber cloth, or oiled silk, and the whole bound closely on so as to siveat and keep moist. If not, they must be repeatedly moistened. The two plates must be connected by a wire conductor, and this wire must be com- pletely insulated from the body. It is better to use the Hum- boldt battery, which is ready prepared, and admirable for this purpose — it is invaluable. (See pp. 114-118, 154, and App.J Indolent ulcers, then, can be readily aroused to take on a sound, healing condition, by means of galvanism alone, even where all other good treatment has failed. But, before an ex- ternal ulcer heals, there is deposited the cytoblastina, in which organic and fibre cells are found. These, then, fh-st give rise to granulations, which, as soon as they become level with the adja- cent parts, are usually covered with a persistent membrane. This process is called " cicatrization," or healing. The electro- lytical and stimulating power of electricity by induction may be employed in almost all such cases, if gently performed, and with great assurance of success. But my own experience leads me to prefer the action of the little Humboldt battery for this purpose, applied so that the silver plate is below and beyond (but close by) the border of the ulcer, while the zinc plate is above and nearer the body. That is, the plates are to be so ap- plied that the one is on the ulcer or below it, while the other is above, and thus worn for about half of the time. But the elec- tro-magnetic currents simultaneously applied to the limb so af- 55