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

account for the increase of the severity of the symptoms after walking in such cases. We may conclude that where there is absence of tenderness over the exit and course of the trunks of these two great nerves, and yet evident sciatica, then in all proba- bility the seat of the disease is rather at, or near, the deep-seated roots of the nerves, and that the psoas muscle, as in walking, is probably the irritating agent. A large blister applied at once over the whole lumbar region in such a case, and repeated a few times, will materially aid in preparing for the cure. The compound iodine ointment, or tr. iodine fortis, may be substi- tuted. But the repeated application of direct Galvanic or Fara- daic currents will be found the most effectual means for completely clearing those deep-seated nerve roots of any re- maining venous congestion, or discrasia, by catalysis. Cases of symptomatic sciatica are not rare. This form of the dis- ease arises from retained scybala. Having observed that in all these cases the right leg is the one affected, we believe that the indurated faces or scybala are impacted in the caecum and ascending colon. Dr. Hancock was the first to give this expla- nation of these cases. These may be acute and severe cases, simulating the acute form of sciatica, or they may be chronic and simulating the rheumatic or the true chronic sciatica. Re- move the cause, then, first by active purgatives, as turpentine and oil, or croton oil, or colocynth pill; and then arrives the time to apply the electric current to the loins and bowels, with- out delay, so as to give tone where was atony. A constipated habit must ever after be sedulously avoided, even for a day, by every such patient. Aperient medicines are, indeed, most effi- cient assistant remedial agents in the treatment of this as well as some other forms of sciatica. Finally, we may be satisfied that the much known and little understood sciatica occurs as an acute disease, whose inflamma- tory character requires an active antiphlogistic treatment. Sci- atica, moreover, occurs as a true chronic disease, where blisters, iodine, and electric currents are required to eradicate it; sci- atica may occur as a symptomatic disease, and that either acute or chronic, which requires active aperient medicines, together