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

low that the current that produces the greatest possible effects, as manifested by contractions, must therefore always be the most remedial in effect ? I think not; although, in fact, it may yet be proved to be so. "Where the action of the current is indicated for exercising the deep muscles, such as cannot be done by passive motions, nor yet by any kind of mechanical manoeuvres, tbese currents act admirably. But where there is" required a catalytical action in the molecular structure of the tissues and blood, and for reestablishing the dominion of volition, or, as we call it, the will, then, if not contra-indicated, the galvanic cur- rents not only seem, but prove to be more powerfully restora- tive. Notwithstanding, we must bear in mind that it is the opinion of Dr. Duchcnne and many other experienced medical electricians in Europe, " that induced electricity is essentially medical electricity." There can be summed up the following rules: If the electric current be directed through a motor nerve, then will the whole deep substance of all the muscles, which are animated by rami- fications of that nerve, enter into contraction. But if the current be applied directly to the muscle, then only those fibres arc seen to contract, which are nearest the electrode, and trav- ersed by the current. Effects of the Electric Currents on the Motor Nerves. If a galvanic current is directed through a motor nerve of the. recently-killed animal, contractions of all the muscles that are ramified by this nerve are produced on closing as well as on opening the circuit; and that, too, whether the current be down-running (direct), or up-running (inverse). Now, this will fail to be done, if one electrode is applied, say to the right of the nerve trunk, while the other is to the left of it; for in this case the current will pass transversely across the nerve. Therefore we must be particular to place the electrodes over two points of the nerve; or the one over the nerve, while the other is on the depending muscle; in either case, the one is to be so situated above the other, that the electric current will traverse the nerve