Electro-physiology and electro-therapeutics : showing the best methods for the medical uses of electricity / By Alfred C. Garratt.

to remind you that it is believed that not an atom of positive electricity leaves the glass plate or cylinder that is rubbed, to pass to the prime conductor. The cylinder or plate is rendered positive by friction, and merely acts upon the electricity that is naturally in the prime conductor by induction, decomposing it into the two parts, and attracting the negative fluid, which accu- mulates in a state of high tension or elasticity, darts off towards the glass to combine with the positive fluid already commencing to be free on its surface, and so reconstituting the neutral or natural electricity. Thus the prime conductor is left powerfully positive, and so all things in contact with it, if also insulated, not by acquiring electricity from the glass, but rather by the abstraction of its own negative element, while simply leaving the positive electricity there. When charging a Leyden jar, we can judge, after a little ex- perience, how great is the charge from the number of turns of the machine, if we first ascertain that it is working well; but a more accurate means is Lane's discharging electrometer, or by Henley's quadrant electrometer. To be prepared to use frictional electricity as a therapeutic, we need to be provided with the insulating Chair and Stool. The patient can be placed on the stool, but it is better to place him or t?—o FT her in the insulating chair with the feet \j ]} upon the insulating stool; or if in bed, by Fis- r- placing the bedstead posts, or feet of the lounge, into thick glass salt cups. The patient thus situated can be electrified positively by connecting him with the prime conductor, or negatively by the rubber connection, by means of the long discharger, or by means of the chain, or by a large copper wire tipped with balls. By a steady and lively turning of the machine, the patient can be kept at this state for a half hour together, notwithstanding the continual insensible discharge that is constantly going on into the air. If in the dark, this phenomenon becomes visible, as the tips of the hairs and every other angle will appear lu- minous, or emit sparks even, if approached by a conductor to any part of the person. 9*