Electro-physiology and electro-therapeutics : showing the best methods for the medical uses of electricity / By Alfred C. Garratt.
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tedious labor, just as the moments arrive when it becomes evident that the powers of the patient must soon fail, or be speedily and effectively aided by this force of nature, (electricity,) or else by ergot or instruments, or by all these, and more; so, moreover, in post partum "flooding," when occasioned by atony, want of vitality, or excessive fatigue of the womb and abdominal muscles; thus, wherever it is desirable to promote tone and true " labor- pai?is," let the woman lie upon her side, while the operator, with a brisk work- ing electric machine, (electro-magnetic, or magneto-electric,) takes his position with a large sponge electrode in each hand ; the one, positive, is passed to the upper spine, from whence it is to be diligently moved about over the whole back and ribs, sides and breasts, while the other, negative, is directed to the abdomen; and thus with the two, separately performing the double circle movements simultaneously, (see Notes F. and E.,) the one on the back and thorax, the other over the abdomen; which latter is to be moved in short stages, and so swept well about the gravid uterus — not continuously, but from half minute to half minute—for some three or four such moves, (or until a true pain is induced,) and then give a recess of a half minute or so ; and then repeat it in like manner, and so on, again and again, until true labor-pains are established, or the desired object is obtained. Sometimes the electrodes may be placed to advantage, so as to embrace the projecting abdomen transversely, obliquely, &c, for a little, but mostly as just advised. Sometimes it is impor- tant to trust one — say the electrode on the back — to the hands of the nurse, that the accoucheur may have one hand free. Where there is no contra- indication, the effects of the already strong current is greatly increased here, by a sudden, occasional, and momentary stopping and reversing the current. (See page 478.) E. Note 3. Not so must we proceed, if the affection, on the contrary, is a painful, irritable, and probably a rheumatic, or a neuralgic one; for then we must invariably connect the abdominal, or internal instrument (electrode) with the positive pole, while the negative sponge is now directed to the ter- minal twigs of the femoro-crural nerve, on the inner side of the knee joint,— first on one, and then on the other; also moving this one about occasionally upon the thigh muscles, but without shock, — i. c. without producing a break in the current, — although it is well to vary its strength during the sit- ting. Neither is it always necessary to resort to the internal electrode for these cases. Indeed, I think I can safely state, that in the great majority of cases the treatment has been completely successful, where it was conducted with only the large moist sponge electrodes, the positive of which was directed to and about the lumbar region, the crest of the ilium, to the abdominal ring, groins, and thighs, and so terminating each seance while working both elec- trodes as low as the knees or ankles. Thus we are enabled to employ a very much stronger current, and also spare the moral feelings of the patient. Therefore I would further say, that for pains, weakness, " ugly feelings in the small of the back," or on the sacral bones; for neuralgia of the spermatic