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

from dried blood,) so as to conduct as surely to the periosteum of the tooth, as the outside insulates from the gum. The wire tip of the conductor can be slipped under the outer end of the tubing that covers the handle, and this wire can bo pulled out and slipped under the thus prepared bandies of any other forceps in an instant. The conductor that leads to the for- ceps should be made to pass through an interrupting footboard, such as is used for telegraphing purposes, so that the current can be made or broken instantly, at the command of the operator. Another precaution I would here mention. I have found that when there is oil in tlie joint of the tooth forceps, one blade is liable to be thus insulated from the other, and so fail to convey the current to both sides of the tooth. To avoid a failure from this cause, I have the terminal end of the negative conductor provided with two terminations, which are some six inches in length, each of which I tuck under the end of the rubber of each handle of the forceps to be used. This simple arrangement alone will nearly double the uniformity of success in this delicate operation. So much for the preparation. Next, for the operation. First, the electro-magnetic machine should run with fine vibra- tions, and at a very moderate battery power, but witli a smooth and even current. Next, the intensity of the current should be graduated down to the nervous impressibility of the patient. The adjustable rod, or bundle of soft wires, are graduated and marked off with sixty degrees. Some young ladies, and some men, too, can bear only ten degrees ; others will require twenty; and some hardy nerved or phlegmatic temperaments can not only bear, but say they do but just feel, forty degrees. For the young operator, it is well to let the patient take the two poles in his own hands, and then adjust the strength of the current by the magnet until he or she can very agreeably feel it, but no more. Then adjust the positive pole in the patient's hand, or over the portio dura nerve, or on the nape of the neck, while the heel of the operator rests on the floor near the footboard, ready to make or break the circuit of the current at any moment. Now, when quite sure that all is right and ready, carefully slip the forceps on the neck of the tooth, until it rests gently against the guru,