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

brachial plexus for a minute; then glide it along down the pectoral muscle to its farthest extent; then over the median or the ulnar nerve, near the clhow joint; then glide it along down the outer side of the fore-arm, to the back of the hand but a little below the wrist joint; then wipe it over the extensor muscles on the back of the fore-arm; and then m like manner over the flexors. Next allow this negative sponge to rest a little first in the palm of that hand, and then on the back of that wrist joint; and at the same time commence moving the upper or positive sponge that has been on the upper back, and with it bathe over all the shoulder, neck, and pectoral muscles, and then also those of the arm, down to the elbow, and particularly over the trunks of the median, ulnar, and circumflex nerves; and so finishing the seance by working the electrode down below the elbow joint on the fore-arm, while the other is still at that hand. If there is a rheumatic affection of the joint of the shoulder, elbow, or wrist, then pass a smart current also through the affected joint transversely, or rather obliquely, and mainly downward 'and outwards, for some few minutes more at each seance. Rule 4. For Pains in the Upper Limbs. — If the patient presents a pain- ful arm that is plump, firm, and warm, with good circulation, and more especially if the pain or lameness is below the elbow, and about the wrist or hand, then for such like cases, if the previous rule has been tried and failed, then apply the current in an inverse or up-running direction ; always bearing in mind my fundamental neuralgic rule regarding careful manipulation. Commence this seance by first planting the positive electrode over the median or ulnar nerve, near the elbow; then, with the negative sponge, commence bathing with elec- tricity over the deltoid, the biceps, and triceps, and so on to the pecloralis, and then lingering for a minute over and about the brachial plexus; next wipe it over the shoulder muscles, and then let this (negative) sponge rest, or be moved a little about (not above) the tipper dorsal of the spine, and at the same time gliding the positive sponge along from half minute to half minute, first about the elbow, then over the fore-arm, wrist, and hand, and then hack again up the arm, from stage to stage, until it sweeps over, not only the whole arm, but also the pectoral muscles ; and after lingering a minute, or so, under and above the clavicle, glide it upwards and backwards until it rests just back of the shoulder joint; then start the negative from the dorsal spine, and with it bathe over the lower spine with a stronger current; then also the infra- spinatus, teres, and seratus magnus muscles; thus following the course of those brother twigs of arm nerves which are distributed over the ribs on the side and lower front of the thorax. Thus ends this seance. C. Rules for Paralysis in any of the Limbs. (See page 471.) — Now, since we know those fundamental laics in electro-physiology, viz., that when the electrodes, with any form of electricity, are so applied to any portion of the living human organism that the current is direct, (down-running,) then the effect thus produced is a modified polarity of the nerves and muscles so embraced; also a less nervous action, or at least less "abnormal" nervous action, is obtained in the parts at, about, and above the jjositive electrode, while there is an increased nervous action at, about, and beyond the negative pole; and that if the direction of this current be reversed, i. e., so as to he inverse, (up-running,) then the results will be precisely the same, but in a reversed order also ; i. e., diminished action below, and increased action above j moreover, that this effect is greatly increased, if the current, in whichever way directed, is now and then suddenly interrupted, if for only a moment at a time ; and that all this is still further increased in effect, i. e., far more exten- sively and profoundly disturbing and impressing the embraced nerves, if not the whole nervous system, by suddenly and repeatedly reversing the current,