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

ton side is a little moistened, and then applied to the skin over the seat of trouble, and retained by a roller. It is soon satu- rated with vapory moisture, from perspiration, and this sets in action the automatic pile. If vinegar is used to moisten it, greater and quicker effects are produced, but then they are of shorter duration. There is, however, the highest professional testimony of the great service these electric poultices have given in difficult cases of local weakness and pains. Galvanic cautery requires particular electrodes, as well as quantity current. There is an instrument invented by Mr. Ellis, of England, for galvanic cauterization of the cervix uteri, and other deep tissues that require the concentration of the continu- ous heat produced by a galvanic battery. This instrument con- sists of a silver catheter straightened out, with the end cut off. At the upper end of this catheter-like tube, it is slit open and broached so as to form a socket for the tip of porcelain, which is the cauterizer. Two conducting wires, adjustable with the poles of the battery, are insulated through this silver tube, and their free extremities are connected with a piece of fine platinum wire, which is now coiled around the little sugar-loaf-shaped porcelain, in order to render it completely incandescent. The porcelain must be heated by the adjustable pole contact, and maintained at a white heat. For this purpose it will require some five or six Bunsen's batteries of one-gallon jars. One or two dozen of Grove's batteries of quart size will also do it. But, whatever battery is chosen, the metal pairs must be of a large size or sur- face, with a strong and active solution, so as to yield the larger and higher degree of chemical action, by which we can have quantity, and also some considerable intensity. I have found that from six to ten Grove's batteries, (such as Mr. Hall gets up in cases,) are quite sufficient to heat small platinum wires, and maintain them at a white heat during the smaller operations. Yet it is always well to have at command all the heat the platinum tips will bear without melting. This should be first tested, invariably, before making contact with the flesh, so as to adjust the right degree of heat to insure success and safety. — (See pages 155 & 659.)