ELECTRICITY. 875 



MEDICAL ELECTRICrTY. 



Electricity has often been used for medical pur- 

 poses; but with degrees of success extremely 

 various. 



In administering it, the following directions will 

 be found useful. 



The smallest force of electricity should be used, 

 which may be sufficient to remove or alleviate any 

 disorder. One of the chief difficulties consists in 

 distinguishing the proper strength of the electric 

 power that is required. The sex and condition of 

 the patient must be duly considered. The surest 

 rule is, to begin with the most gentle treatment; 

 as least such as, considering the constitution of the 

 patient, may be thought rather weak than strong. 

 When this has been found ineffectual for a few 

 days, the application not causing any material 

 alteration, then the operator may gradually increase 

 the force of electricity until he finds the proper 

 degree of it. 



In judging of cases proper to be electrified, ex- 

 perience shows, that, in general, all kinds of ob- 

 structions, whether of motion, of circulation, or 

 of secretion, are very often removed or alleviated 

 by electricity. The same may also be said of 

 nervous disorders; both which include a great va- 

 riety of diseases. The application of electricity 

 has also been found very beneficial in diseases of a 

 long standing. It has likewise been found a pow- 

 erful remedy in muscular contractions. But when 

 any limb is deprived of motion, it must be ob- 

 served, that the deprivation has not always origi- 

 nated in a contraction of the muscles; but that it 

 is often occasioned by relaxation ; thus, for instance, 



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