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

fessors KSlliker, Gerlach, Heule, Harless, and others in Ger- many, mainly confirmed his conclusions ; but like nearly all early electro-physiological investigations, the results obtained on this point did not exactly agree, because each experimented with a different kind of current, and hence each came to modified conclusions. But we can sum up the final and most reliable results in a very few words, viz.: — The muscular fibre-cells respond more readily to an inter- rupted than to a continuous current, and hence show more action under induction currents than under continuous galvanic currents. If the latter is applied to them, however, there is a contraction at the closing of the circuit, during its continuance, and at its opening. The intensity and duration of the pro- duced movements in the organic fibre-cells are determined by the intensity, interruptions, and duration of the current's action. Furthermore, if an active electric shock, whether Static, Gal- vanic, or Faradaic, be applied to a voluntary muscle, it instantly contracts, and then as instantly relaxes. But, in contrast to this, the contractions produced in the fibre-cells by the electric stimulus are not simultaneous, or instantaneous with the closing of the circuit, but only after a little time, and while there is still action of the current upon the tissue; and this effect lasts a little after the cessation of the current. But the most remarkable phenomenon in regard to the movements of the fibre-cells as brought about by electricity, is, that they occur only in an order which corresponds to their peculiar physiological purpose, wherever they properly belong. Thus, if we moder- ately electrize the intestines, then only peristaltic movements are induced downwards; but never do we thus get movements from the rectum towards the mouth. If the ureters are Fara- daized, the wavy movements are seen to be from the kidneys towards the bladder, but never in the opposite direction. Dr. Althaus says this will invariably occur, whatever may be the kind, intensity, or direction of the electric current, and what- ever may be the point of the cell-fibre tract to which the elec- trodes are applied.