1815.] Galvanism as a Solvent for Vrinary Calculi 115 



stone ? Mr. G. considers, very properly, his mode of operating to 

 be a work of time ; and that consideration surely is sufficient" to 

 reject liis plan ; for how is it possible to keep a wound open a suffi- 

 cient time to enable the action of the galvanic influence to decom- 

 pose a calculus, without the greatest danger to the patient ? 



The plan I suggested to the Norwich Society was this : " Let ari 



instrument similar in shape to a common catheter, made with "-urn 

 elastic, waxed silk, or any non-conducting substance, with ''two 

 cavities, one for the wire from the positive end of the battery, the 

 other for the wire from the negative end. This instrument with the 

 wires to be introduced along the urethra into the bladder till it 

 touches the stone, the wires having elasticity, and an inclination to 

 bend outward, would facilitate the operation, as they would then be 

 easier fixed, one on each side the calculus. When so fixed, which 

 a surgeon accustomed to similar operations could easily determine, 

 the patient might be left at rest, and the action of the battery 

 suffered to proceed. It is not to be supposed that in all cases of 

 calculous affection this plan is advisable, but in those where the 

 bladder contains but one concretion : and from the best information 

 I can procure, it seems that, on the average, six-sevenths of those 

 afflicted have but one concretion, I have no doubt of its success. 

 The patient immediately after, or towards the close, of the actiori 

 ot the battery, should be suffijred to drink plentifully of diluents, 

 that the disunited matter may be carried off by copious evacuation* 

 of urine." 



When the above suggestions were made, I intended to have tried 

 experiments to ascertain the time and intensity that certain calculi 

 required for their decomposition, by first analyzing the different 

 strata of them, and submitting them to the action of batteries of 

 different powers ; but the difficulty of procuring calculi, and the 

 want ot leisure, have at present frustrated my intention. 



The objection which Mr. Goring makes" to the introduction of 

 any instrument up the urethra surely is not well founded, and 

 certamly not liable to th^ risk, pain, and inconvenience, of the 

 method he proposes. I dare say every person is acquainted witli 

 some one in the circle of his friends who is obliged to perform such 

 ari operation himself daily, at least it falls to my lot to know many 

 who are obliged to do it, and without the least danger. However, 

 JO satisfied am i that the power of the galvanic inlluence is sufficient 

 to accomplish the desired object, that were I so unfortunate as to be 

 afflicted with the malady, I would cheerfully submit to a trial of it. 

 Lxpenraent must prove whether the j.laii which I suggested in 

 iHli', Mr. Goring's, or any other, is best adapted for Us accom- 

 phbhment. 



" Palinam qui meruit fcrat." 



_, Yours, 



Jfuntiili, Nor. I?, |8|.l. .,'r , e 



William St.vrk. 

 H 2 



