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

with it. Success in these cases greatly depends on a smooth current with gentleness: the applying, the continuing, and removing the current without change of density, or change of direction of the current, in the main is the rule here for treat- ment. (See p. 477, and Appendix B.) In muscular and periphery neuralgia, as, indeed, in some other cases where the pains are more diffused and somewhat rheumatic, we can manage to observe this law of application for neuralgia, and yet, as it were, wash or bathe the part with the electric current. By beginning with a very gentle current of electro-magnetism, then after a few seconds or a minute, (and while the applied sponges are being very gently moved along over the skin,) let another person push the bundle of wires or iron rod a little further into the machine, to increase the current in the most cautious and imperceptible manner possible, and the patient will bear this labile movement of the electrode, and with it a larger current than could be borne if abruptly applied, or retained in one position when applied. After no small experience in treating the various neuralgias by means of electricity, Dr. H. W. Lobb says he is now inclined to divide the whole family of neuralgias (as respects treatment by this means) into two great divisions or classes; the one re- quiring the " direct" current of Galvanism or Faradaism to effect a cure, while the other class is reached only by the " in- verse " current. In this connection, he calls the direct current stimulating-, and the inverse current lowering, calming, or de- pressing in its effects on such morbid nerve action. Therefore, he says, the sagacity of the physician must decide in a given case which current is best — is the right and only one to be used. He remarks further, that " during the month of June last, I had under my treatment, at the Western General Dispen- satory, three cases of infra-mammary pain that was neuralgic. Dr. C. was present, and also desirous of making use of the so-called continuous (primary) current of galvanism, as a means of diagnosis and treatment, he having heard that I believed neuralgias to be, in this respect, of two distinct classes. There- fore, the direct current was applied to two of these women, and