[GRANT] ELECTROLYSIS ON THE NERVE CENTRES 5 
Recent investigations as to the physical conditions present within 
the nerve fibre, in the axis-cylinder, have pointed out the existence of 
a remarkable condition of protid material, in a state of colloid solution, 
in some way a possible store of potential energy. In this direction the 
potassium ring of McCallum, surrounding granules within the nerve 
fibre, is most interesting and important, in relationship with solid colloid 
masses, in aqueous solutions of salts. Such electrolytes, even by a 
limited degree of motion, tend to diminish the usefulness of an electrical 
current, transmitted through the colloid solution. A single fact which 
dominates all, is that, nerve is a material adapted for the transmission 
of energy, from point to point, throughout the entire system, resting 
upon the undoubted presence of inorganic salts, as permanent consti- 
tuents of the axis-cylinder. 
In no part of the human system are the irregularities of life more 
marked, than in the alimentary canal, where the defences of the or- 
ganism, permit the ingress of bacterial toxins. In this tract, the blood 
making process becomes interrupted, through the non-elimination of 
normal nerve power. Under such circumstances the perfectly stable 
nervous system is a rarity. 
Here particularly electrolysis becomes an important factor, giving 
new life and activity, by establishing, beyond doubt, an average neuro- 
psychic equilibrium. 
The daily, in fact the hourly changes in the component parts of the 
human body, are mysterious and difficult to define, and no where more 
so, than in the nervous system, the centre of thought, intellectual power, 
and locomotion. My object in producing this paper is to sift a 
portion of the wheat from the chaff, and define a few of the limitations 
and possibilities of electricity. One point is certain; where damage to 
neurons or their nuclei, have cut muscle fibres off, from the normal 
source of stimulating energy, electricity is of little account, as far as 
maintaining muscular contractility is concerned. The reaction of 
degeneration, is characterised by loss of excitability in the nerves, and of 
the excitability to rapidly interrupted currents, in the muscles. The 
reaction of degeneration is of great moment, and when present, a lesion 
in some part of the nervous tract, is readily diagnosed. In such condi- 
tions, electrolysis is useless. In nerve degeneration, when the induced 
current fails to meet with any response,/it is called, the reaction of 
degeneration. Weakened muscle cannot be strengthened by too strong 
a current, which must be avoided. So, also with weakened nerve tissue. 
The power of the current must be graduated in proportion to the 
strength of either muscle or nerve. 
