Electro-physiology and electro-therapeutics : showing the best methods for the medical uses of electricity / By Alfred C. Garratt.
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ulus produced undoubted discomfort, as evinced by shrugging of the shoulders, and attempts to avoid contact with the sponge electrodes ; but the first marked influence of its effect was the ejection of a large quantity of fluid from the stomach. In another hour she appeared quite lively ; answered questions dis- tinctly, and in a moderately loud tone, though in a somewhat peevish manner. The galvanism was occasionally intermitted for a few moments, when she relapsed almost instantaneously, and " dropped off" in the midst of a sentence which she had commenced during the application of the stimulus. The pupils remained unaffected till about two hours had elapsed, when they became somewhat more dilated, and sensi- ble to a strong light. All the symptoms gradually diminished, but it was absolutely necessary to reapply it, at longer intervals, until half past five P. M., when she seemed so far recovered as- to allow of her removal to the ward. From the easy diffusibility and quick propagation of the galvanic fluid over the whole sys- tem, irritation, capable of exciting action almost ad libitum, can be applied to any part, or even the whole of the body at one time, and that of a nature void of all the unpleasant results which necessarily follow bastinadoing, cold affusions, searing, tlie dolichos prurims, and a whole catalogue of equally brutal re- sources, which, for the safety of the patient, have necessarily been had recourse to, before galvanism was resorted to. By dipping the wet sponges of the electrodes into moistened salt, it assisted the passage of the current and increased the conducting power of the electrodes, or rather overcame the resistance of the skin, to a striking degree. In ordinary cases, where the primary current of galvanism is used, the application, if strong, reddens the skin, and may even produce some tumefaction, which re- mains often for hours. But in this instance, although the cur- rent was probably three or four times as strong as is generally used, not the slightest discoloration was observable. It should be noticed that as soon as she was allowed to fall off into a deep sleep, (which she was occasionally permitted to do, after the ex- traordinary influence of the battery was fully proved, so as to be relied upon, in rousing her instantly from the deepest narcotism