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

character in the palsied muscles, then in the healthy muscles of the sound side, then he concludes that there the nervous force is exalted. Then in other some, where there is no perceptible difference from Faradaizing the sound and palsied limbs, the nervous force existing here is normal; and all three of these conditions have their significance and interpretation. Hemiplegia. Hemiplegia is the term generally used to denote paralysis of one side, extending to both the upper and lower extremities; and usually the lesion in the brain, when this is the cause, is on the opposite side to the seat of the manifested palsy. When the lower extremity of one side and the upper extremity of the opposite side arc affected at the same time, then the case is said to be a crossed palsy. These cases, however, are rare. We may be prepared to find true hemiplegia far more frequent- ly on the left than on the right side; and it is limited exactly to the median line. The attacks are various — sometimes gradually beginning in the fingers or toes, the legs or arms, and then extending successively over that side. When there is spastic rigidity of some of the flexor muscles, or cramps, or convulsions, they are to be viewed as grave attendants of this sad affection; and usually in such a case there is to be suspected some in- flammatory softening of a portion of the brain, which is to be considered still more probable if there is much pain in the paralyzed limbs, or contracted muscles. In this state of things, postponement of the electric treatment is certainly prudent; but if already of long standing, and nothing is to be gained probably by delay, nor yet from other medication, then let the trials be made, if at all, with the greatest caution and gentleness, as regards strength of current, as well as length of seance, and adroit manipulations, — closely watching the effects. Dr. Todd says, we shall very seldom find a hemiplegia pro- duced by disease of the upper part of the spinal cord; but when this is the case, the paralysis is usually local, affecting, perhaps, the right shoulder and arm at first, but then soon becoming