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

some forms of placenta prcevia; and for atonic hemorrhage from the xitcrus post partum; also for originating uterine contrac- tions where necessary to induce premature labor. Dr. Cleve- land, of England, we notice, advises to apply the sponge elec- trodes over the surface of the abdomen, only changing their site from time to time. After all, Professor Simpson, of Edinburgh, is rather of the opinion that electricity in midwifery practice is all but useless; for, as he thinks, whenever uterine contractions have been appar- ently excited by any electric current, the phenomenon was rather a coincidence ; or else it resulted from the impression that is made upon the mind of the patient; or else is produced by the mechanical irritation of the uterus, or of the surface of the ab- domen, by manipulating with the electrodes. At least, such were his conclusions a few years since. Now, if these electrodes were a kind of " Perkins's Tractors," as some one has before suggested, we might be necessitated to find a mere occasional coincidence, or some show of reason for an occasional effect; but, when we recollect that these electrodes arc no inert things, but actually convey a power that controls all living muscular fibres, both of voluntary as well as involuntary muscles, and contractile tissues also, (more slowly, it is true, but as surely,) and when, from a given strength and direction of current, employed under given circumstances, on different portions of the body or limbs, we uniformly find certain results, I can see no force in those reasons, further than an opinion. Certainly, it is contrary to the whole drift of evidence in my own experience in midwifery practice. There arc very many women who become exhausted before the labor is terminated. There is a state of temporary inertia some- times, that must be aroused sufficiently for the emergency. Elec- tricity is better for this than ergot, according to my own experi- ence. There are others, also, where ergot of itself will not suffice, but resort must be had to instruments. Here, too, I have found electro-magnetism better than lever, hook, or forceps. It appears to me to be as safe and effective as it is painless, if correctly and patiently applied. If there is plethora, or any active inflammatory condition, it will not succeed. If it is very