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

muscles, as I was able to make passive bending and extension of all the joints. The extensor muscles have suffered the most, as the voluntary aptness and power of extending are less than bending. I judged such a case suitable for testing by Faradaic currents, in order to decide on a future course. Accordingly he was placed in the adjustable operating chair for a test seance. One electrode was placed upon the nerve medianus at the inner bor- der of the biceps on the lower third of the humerus of the affected limb, while the other electrode was swept along, lower down on the muscles of the forearm, first on the extensors and then on the flexors, using but a gentle down-running current, i. e., the negative over the nerve, and the positive upon the mus- cles ; and thus the contact was made and the soft iron magnet was cautiously and but partially introduced into the helix, that the patient might at most but slightly get the stimulus. The current was thus gradually increased; but this in no way affected the contraction of the muscles, and was but slightly felt. The electrodes were then removed from this to the right (sound side) with the current as just employed, when the action upon the muscles was amply manifest to all present. Here, the ascertained diminution of electro-muscular contrac- tility of the affected muscles, taken in connection with the en- semble of the patient's history and present state, re-assured me that I was right in judging his a suitable case for electrical treatment. Thus we can bring to our aid the almost exact evi- dence that there is, or is not any longer, an intra-cranial irrita- tion, and hence that the paralysis no longer depends upon the brain lesion, or any brain cause, but is simply in the nerves and muscles, partly from the long inaction, and partly from the loss of intercommunication between these muscles and the seat of volition at the base of the brain. This case was received in June, for Faradaic and Galvanic treatments, which were followed up every day for a month, and then less often, with only galvanic currents for some two months more, when he felt himself quite restored. He remains to-day perfectly well, but is under careful habits and moderate regimen.