Chap, xv.] ELECTRICITY AS A STIMULANT. 165 



again employed, but, as explained, in certain cases it 

 has no effect, and in such cases the slowly-interrupted 

 galvanic current should be applied. As already 

 noted, such cases occur in paralysis from injury to a 

 nerve, fi-om rheumatism, and from cold, as in cases 

 of facial palsy and in lead palsy. 



Faradisation has been also successfully used for 

 aphonia and asthma. In the latter case each electrode 

 is placed below the angle of the jaw and in front of the 

 sterno-cleido-mastoid muscle.* 



As a stimulant, induced currents are used in 

 amenorrhcea and post-mortem haemorrhage. 



To restore respiration in asphyxia from chloroform, 

 or in the diminished respiration of opium poisoning, 

 faradisation of the phrenic nerves is resorted to. The 

 phrenic nerves are affected by placing one electrode 

 over the scalenus anticus, behind the sterno-mastoid 

 at the root of the neck, and the other in the sixth or 

 seventh intercostal space. 



Faradisation of the skin (dry electrodes) is practised 

 for anaesthesia and skin diseases. 



Electricity may be employed as a stimulant to the 

 nutritive processes. For instance, this proceeding has 

 been recommended in suspected cerebral lesion, to 

 promote absorption of a clot or contraction of a cyst. 

 A weak constant current is, therefore, employed, 

 and is applied by placing one electrode (anode) on 

 the forehead and the other on the nape of the neck ; 

 or the process called galvanisation of the sympathetic 

 may be made use of. This is accomplished by one 

 electrode (moist) on the inner side of the sterno- 

 mastoid muscle, on a level with the third cervical 

 vertebra, and the other at the nape of the neck. 

 This procedure must, however, be employed with great 

 caution, and never until some weeks after the occur- 

 rence of the lesion, lest inflammatory action be set up. 



* Sec paper by Dr. Burney Yeo in the Lancet of Nov. 27, 1880. 



