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

Galvano-Punctvre for Aneurism. MM. Baumgarten and Wiirtenburg, after the fact announced by M. Schuh," that coagulation is produced more promptly at the positive pole than at the negative, instituted experiments upon the action of each pole, taken separately." * They obtained the following results: — 1. If the negative pole of a galvanic battery was introduced alone into a vessel, the positive pole being at the same time ap- plied against the neighboring parts, there was no coagulation. 2. The two poles being introduced at once into the vessel, produced slow, feeble, but rarely complete coagulation. In order to turn these results to use, it becomes necessary to inquire, " What is the action of the poles upon albumen, fibrine, &c. ? " M. Steinlein has undertaken this, employing Grove's battery, with poles of platinum and zinc : the first is positive; the second is negative. The experiments upon albu- men gave the following results : — 1. If two conductors of platinum are plunged into a solution of albumen, no coagulation is produced ; and test paper shows no reaction. 2. If the platinum needle of the positive pole be replaced by one of steel, then little bubbles are disengaged from the negative pole, forming a thick layer, and the reddish test paper that is applied to the platinum needle (positive') becomes blue, and the steel needle becomes slowly covered by coagulated albu- men, with no disengagement of bubbles. This needle also be- comes bromeo-colored. 3. If a zinc needle be used in the place of the one of iron or steel, the coagulation is much more rapid. It follows, from these experiments, that the coagulation of al- bumen takes place only at the positive pole; and that the coagu- lating force varies according to the nature of the metal electrode that is employed. The author then endeavors to explain these results according to physical and chemical laws; and he advises, « Teib. der Gesell. — Med. Times and Gazette, Dec. 16, 1854, p. 620.