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

tion. He says the prevailing cause of these painful affections, termed " spinal irritation," in his judgment, is due to some morbid condition of the back muscles, rather than of the spinal nerves ; and that the so-called " spinal disorder" originates more commonly in a feeble and painful affection of the muscles of the back. He says he has seen numerous cases in which these affections have been mistaken for symptoms of inflamma- tion, and were treated by depletory measures, and rendered worse in consequence; in which Faradaizing, with a due amount of rest to the over-worked or strained muscles, with good diet, and other recuperating means, effected a speedy cure. Passing from the painful affections of the muscles in general to those of the " spine " in particular, Dr. Inman considers that most of the cases of so-called spinal irritation are, alter all, re- ally owing to causes originating in the muscles, and that they ought to be treated generally by sustaining the general health, giving repose to the affected muscles, and assisting their action, when necessary, by quick and smart electric currents, by well- contrived artificial supports. The use of stays, therefore, if not laced, is not to be condemned as an article of female dress; but when so used they are rather beneficial, by aiding the action of the muscles in preserving the equilibrium of the spinal col- umn. The reference of such cases to the general phenomena of hysteria is entirely unphilosophical. The views of Dr. Inman on the nature of spinal irritation, when summed up, are these : — " I believe that the vast majority of the symptoms considered as the result of spinal irritation arises i-ather from over-exertion of one or more portions of the muscular system in the already debilitated subject; that the spinal tenderness of the spinous processes has a similar origin ; and that the other symptoms considered as resulting from spinal tenderness are concomitants only, and are referable to the common cause." (SeeNotesF,G.J Local Pulsation, occasionally noticed in the male, but far more frequently in the female, may be put down as " local hysteria," and arising from that peculiar state of the nervous system when hysteria may be manifested. This is a strong pul- sation of the aorta in the epigastric region, strongly simulating