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

on applying the continuous galvanic current he will succeed admirably in some cases, but, perhaps, fail as signally in others; and- not only so, but speedily aggravate the case. Now, if in this dilemma, he but just reverses the direction of the current and tries again, in a very few seances he will find his triumph, and that in the very same case where before he failed. And electro-magnetism may also be introduced in the place of galvan- ism with happy results, often, almost, if not quite, equal to the former, provided the same rules are observed as regards the direction of the current, and, at the same time, avoiding shocks and perturbations. Whenever we find by proving, and have decided upon using a given direction of current in a case of neuralgia, this relative position of the two sponge electrodes, during all that seance, is to be strictly observed — i. e., for neuralgias ; for one instant of a sudden and actually reversed current can get up an increased susceptibility that is rarely calmed again in that seance. My own practice is not to exceed ten minutes, in all, at any one sit- ting, and more frequently only five or six minutcs; using a gen- tle current, and large, soft electrodes. The time of the wliolc sitting may be a half hour, or more if desirable ; but the time I refer to particularly relates to the length of time the current traverses the nerves, or, rather, is applied to the skin. In case Faradaic currents are used, (i. e., electro-magnetism,) double the time may be profitably devoted to each sitting. Then, if the clearing out of the neuralgic pains is not effected by some half a dozen or dozen seances, it will be found that the pains are the result of inflammation, or but symptomatic of some existing mor- bid function that first needs to be set right, or of some more serious, and, perhaps, remote organic disease that is incurable. I would only add here, as electro-magnetic machines are the more generally owned, and for other reasons, also, are more likely to be employed in these cases, that first class and fine coil instruments only should be relied upon. If the vibrations are coarse or irregular, and cannot be nicely graduated to a rapid, even, and fine current, that nearly resembles the true primary galvanic current, then I should never touch a neuralgic patient