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

APPENDIX Directions for operating about the Face and Head with Electric Currents. D. Note 1. (For notes under A, B, C, see page 475 ; see also 334, 395.) For " tic douloureux," i. e. after correcting the faulty function, or whatever is the provoking cause, — so also for rheumatic face-ache, periosteal jaw or teeth- ache, earache, for diffused hyperesthesia, or peripheral neuralgia, &c, — the best method to be pursued in these cases is, to begin by placing the negative sponge electrode down inside the loosened dress to the pit of the stomach, or better still if to the lower umbilical region; then with the positive, a fine moist sponge, conveying the most gentle or even imperceptible current, and if elec- tro-magnetic, let it be of the finest vibrations possible,—thus commencing on the side of the neck, gliding it about there thoroughly, then along up to, and a little in front of, the ear, and then on to the face, by wiping it over as if _ washing; then work back again to the neck, and now gradually increase the current while there, lingering some at and about the exit of the portio dura; then working the sponge along upon the face again, with the stronger current, by gliding and hitching motions, — say every quarter minute, — and thus for some 5 minutes, lingering mostly about or over the most painful spots. If there is then still any decidedly painful or tender spot left, choose a smaller sponge-tipped electrode positive, and plant it moderately firm directly on the site of pain or soreness, which is most likely to be found at the supra-orbital or infra-orbital nerve exit, and retain it there for 3 to 5 minutes, with all bear- able current, — be it more or less, — until the pain and soreness are com- pletely chased away. Always avoid touching the forehead with an electrode, because the periosteum of the bone is so near the skin that more pain is pro- duced than relieved. I usually finish such a seance by wiping the larger sponge electrode again a few times over that side of the face and closed eye- lids, and then passing it on to the side of the neck for the last minute. Now, if the pain returns at any time within 6 hours, repeat the treatment. If it does not return within that time, it is probably cured. But if it persistently returns, time after time, in spite of this treatment, you in all probability have not corrected the functional or habitual eause, or else you have in that case organic disease.