252 ELECTRIC CURRENT. LECT. XII. XIII. 



electric current, for without it, successful results are impos- 

 sible. 



In Tetanus. The use of the electric current has been 

 suggested in another malady, namely, tetanus. I believe 

 I am the first who has attempted its application to man. 



The principles on which is founded its employment for 

 ihe-cure of this disease are the following. A current which 

 circulates by jerks in an animal during a certain time, pro- 

 duces tetanic convulsions ; the direct current, if continued 

 sufficiently long, produces, on the contrary, paralysis. From 

 this it was concluded, that the continued passage of the 

 latter, in a tetanized limb, would destroy this condition, by 

 producing a state more or less allied to paralysis. The 

 truth of this conclusion is demonstrated by facts. In ope- 

 rating upon frogs which have been tetanized by narcotics 

 or hydrocyanic acid, we observe a fit of tetanus cease un- 

 der the influence of the prolonged passage of a direct cur- 

 rent. The frogs die without presenting those convulsions, 

 which are observed take place when these animals have 

 not been submitted to the direct current. 



The effects produced by the application of the electric 

 current is a case of tetanus, which I published in the Bi- 

 bliotheque Universelle (May, 1838,) appeared to me in some 

 degree to prove the truth of the scientific principles which 

 I have explained to you. During the passage of the cur- 

 rent, the patient experienced no violent convulsions ; he was 

 able to open and shut his mouth ; and circulation and per- 

 spiration appeared to be re-established. Unfortunately, this 

 amendment did not continue long ; the disease being occa- 

 sioned, and kept up by the introduction of foreign bodies 

 into the muscles of the leg. Perhaps more satisfactory 

 results from the electric current may be expected, in cases 

 where tetanus has not been caused by a traumatic injury : 

 moreover, we ought already to be thankful in being able 



