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

other consequence beyond this, the advantage from it is pro- digious ; for, as in a multitude of instances, this ultimate affec- tion has been traced to the use or abuse of laxative medicines taken as a cure; hence, since during the treatment of this affection, even the mildest aperients irritate the mucous mem- brane, and so far aggravate (temporarily) the disease, therefore the evacuation of the bowels, by any other means that do not irritate nor yet exhaust, but, on the contrary, can invigorate, is obviously of vast consequence. But the electro-magnetic cur- rents do more than this ; for, secondly, it induces such a changed state of the bowels as prevents the further formation of this peculiar secretion; that is, it restores the bowels to a more healthy condition. I purposely avoid using expressions which might involve a theory as to its mode of action, and do not pro- fess to tell how this result takes place. The fact itself is un- deniable. Thirdly, electricity supersedes all counter-irritation. The pain in the side, for the removal of which the counter-irri- tant was employed, is relieved by an application of the galvanism for at least twenty-four hours ; in many cases for a much longer period ; but as the agent is applied once a day, where no contra- indicating cause exists, till the disease is removed, it may be said that the pain is abolished at the same time. " Electricity can of itself effect a cure ; but I have generally combined it with the internal exhibition of tar, and have thus effected cures in a much shorter time than by either of these means singly. For some time I was in the habit of giving in- ternally the nitrate of silver, or cod liver oil, as circumstances directed; but latterly, I have confined myself simply to the simultaneous administration of electricity and tar for these cases, as suggested first, I believe, by Dr. Simpson, and have found that it, of all internal means for these cases, is by far the most prompt and permanently effectual. This relieves the feeling of exhaustion at the epigastrium, imparts an agreeable warmth, promotes appetite and digestion ; but the tar, by itself, is long in effecting a cure, even in slight cases, in all the trials I have made of it. The plan I have hitherto adopted has been to give the tar in the form of pill or capsule, thrice a day, while the electro-