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

the muscles are under an abnormal central influence, we see there is a state and action produced in the ultimate fibres, that leave behind a lasting electro-tonus and muscle stiffness, exactly the same as can be produced where it is not already in the patient, by the too active use of electro-magnetism. Judging from all electro-therapeutic experience, we are led to conclude that the so-called constant or primary current of gal- vanism can place the nerves of a given case, even after an almost stabile in-working on tliem, in a condition most favorable for the exertion of the voluntary influences of the will; or, in other words, to convey the natural messages of volition ; and this, in plain words, means to reestablish the lost capability for normal action. This constitutes the cure. Furthermore, wo find that, for instance, in one portion of the cases of atrophy, the wasted muscles can certainly be plumped and rendered more firm and warm by the occasional practice in them of labile contractions. But this increase in size is seen to be limited to those fibres or portions of the muscle which take on this response to the action of the current; from this it is quite apparent that the enlarging or growing of the muscle fibre groups is produced by an actual absorption of liquids along the sides of the muscle fibres, whose endosmotic capability has been thus increased by this current, or method of using it. The same can be done, but with more difficulty, by means of well-managed electro-magnetic currents. By-workings of the current. — Under this head, and with all due deference to the views of Dr. Duchenne, we should first state our profound conviction that it is impossible to be quite sure of ever limiting the effects of any Galvanic or Faradaic cur- rents to a single nerve or muscle only. Rather is it apparent in practice, that in every case a more or less simultaneous excite- ment of both the sentient or skin nerves, and of the motor or muscle nerves, as well as of the neighboring contractile tissues also, is unavoidable; to say nothing of central reflex-action, which some of the most experienced and distinguished electro-physi- ologists and therapeutists also claim as a uniform result. The influence of the applied current, we find, will spread sometimes more, sometimes less on either side, as well as beyond, the straight