Electro-physiology and electro-therapeutics : showing the best methods for the medical uses of electricity / By Alfred C. Garratt.
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skin, and for hyperesthesia of the sentient nerves. For this the electrode must be small, and the electro-magnetic current must be as sharp as the patient can possibly bear. (See G., Note 5.) Team-electrodes is merely a term I employ to signify that mode of holding and moving two small electrodes in the same hand, with only a finger or two between them, as first performed and described by Dr. Duchenne, in his localized Faradaization. F. Note 2. (See pages 377, 381.) The General Tonic, or Vitalizing Seance. — This was instituted by me at first only for cases of general debility, incipient decline with weak chest muscles, and nervous cough; for emaciated children, and young persons with cold skin and poor circulation, as after severe sickness, and for general hysteria. But the past year or two I have found it also the treatment for rachalgia, " irritable spine," rheumatism of the vertebrae, and hyperesthesia of the back muscles, as well as for atony of the abdominal viscera, for constipation, &c. (See law of electro-physiological action, on page 477.) The patient is seated upon the ottoman or stool, and the operator takes his seat behind him. The negative electrode sponge is first directed to the umbilicus, or, if a female, to the left ovary or colon, while the positive moist sponge is firmly held, and slowly glided over the whole back, shoulders, and thorax, for a few minutes ; then increasing the current still more, (more in proportion as the patient is less nervous,) carefully, but con- siderably, and now moving the two electrodes all the while in less or greater circles, the one on the back, shoulders, or thorax, the other on the abdomen or thighs, and otherwise modified to the case, — but ahcays observing the same relative current direction, — thus depolarizing the roots of the spinal nerves when exalted, and arousing the peripheric nervelets when diminished, and calming or " modifying " the great chain of ganglia in the sympathetic depart- ment of nerves! Now, the evidence that this or its equivalent is obtained,— whatever it may be termed, — is the almost uniform fact, that after such repeated sittings, either alone, or as aid, or aided by other judicious medica- tion, the ovaries are found not so sensitive, and the catamenia flows more promptly and easy ; the bowels are not so tardy, muscular tone is awakened in the abdominal parietes, — i. e., there is not that baggy sensation, or constricted condition of the abdomen and its contents, — digestion (and secretion ?) is invigorated, and there is evidence that the muscles of the back and sides, as well as the vertebrae and ribs, are less sore, less tender to touch or pressure, and the whole body and limbs are less lame, and not so " tired; " and if there has been hysterical or hypochondriacal manifestations, they are vanquished. The patient shows more interest, courage, and purpose of will or resolution, as well as powers of endurance. In a word, so uniformly is this the result of a few weeks of such electric treatment in suitable cases, that we here urge its use, by competent practitioners, as a most valuable adjunct medication, and well worthy of patient investigation, and improvement or adoption. G. Note 1. (See page 384.) For Thoracalgia and Infra-mammary Pain, adopt the following method: First place the negative electrode at the