LECT. XII. XIII. MASSON'S APPARATUS. 251 



ideas : divide the two sciatic nerves of a living frog, allow 

 one of the two limbs to remain quiet for ten, fifteen, or 

 twenty days, and submit the other, two or three times a-day, 

 to the action of the current. The latter will continue to 

 contract, whilst the other will fail to give any contractions 

 when the current is applied to it. 



I am anxious to state to you some rules which I con- 

 sider as important in the application of the current to the 

 treatment of paralysis. You should always commence by 

 employing a very weak current. This precaution seems to 

 me now more important than I formerly believed it to be, 

 having seen one paralytic patient seized with true tetanic 

 convulsions under the action of a current furnished by a 

 single element. Take care never to continue the current 

 for too long a period, especially if it be energetic. Apply 

 the interrupted current in preference to the continued one ; 

 but after twenty or thirty shocks, at the most, allow the pa- 

 tient to have a few moments' repose. Both practice and 

 theory seem to prove, that the interrupted current is more 

 useful than the continued one. 



A pile, with Masson's wheel, or still better, the electro- 

 magnetic machine, is the most convenient apparatus for 

 this purpose. Electro-magnetic apparatus are now con- 

 structed, in which the interruptions of the current are made 

 without the necessity of an assistant. 



We may employ, as conductors, two ribands of sheet 

 lead or copper. The extremities, which are placed in con- 

 tact with the skin, should be covered with cloth moistened 

 with salt and water. In some cases, it is useful to employ, 

 as extremities of the conductors, acupuncture needles. 



The number of authentic cases of paralysis cured by the 

 electrical treatment, is already sufficiently great to encourage 

 physicians and patients to persevere in its use. Perse- 

 verance indeed is indispensable in the application of the 



