BY ELECTRICITY. 37 



inserted in the course of the principal nerve, and the galvanic 

 current transmitted in the direction of its ramification) next in 

 spasmodic affections, as muscular spasm, hysteria, and traumatic 

 trismus; convulsive hiccup and vomiting; periodic epilepsy, 

 preceded by pain in the mammae ; and lastly, in inflammatory 

 attacks, such as contusions attended with extravasation and 

 great pain upon motion, opthalmia, pleurisy, carditis, and even 

 erysipelas. It has also been used with success, in promoting 

 the absorption of the fluid in ascites; and Carraro has proposed 

 it for the treatment of asphyxia. In paralysis, it is admitted to 

 be of little use, except for relieving the pain, which is frequently 

 the most distressing accompaniment of such disease. Mr. Bour- 

 geois has also proposed electro-puncture of the heart, to promote 

 resuscitation in asphyxia. Admitting the efficacy of electro- 

 puncturation in all these complaints, it is very difficult to form 

 any plausible hypothesis as to the manner in which it acts : 

 some theories have indeed been hazarded on the subject ; they 

 are however so vague, contradictory and unsatisfactory, that it 

 would be a complete loss of time to enter upon an examination 

 of them. 



In Stiffness and Rigidity after sprains and bruises, when all 

 inflammation and tenderness have subsided, electricity, in the 

 form of sparks and shocks, has also been applied with success ; 

 it usually however, requires some perseverance to complete the 

 cure. In contractions, depending upon the affection of a nerve 

 only, electricity may prove of service. According to the ex- 

 perience of Dr. Carpue, electricity has been in many such cases 

 employed without effect, while in others of long duration, 

 immediate relief has been obtained. 



In Chorea, (St. Vitus* Dance) and some other similar disorders, 

 the employment of Electricity, in the form of friction or slight 

 shocks in the course of the spine and limbs, is frequently 

 attended with marked benefit, and we have the authority of 

 Drs. Addison,* Pereira,f and Golding Bird,J as to its beneficial 

 tendency. 



* Guy's Hospital Reports, vol. ii. p. 493. 

 t Elements of Materia Medica, vol. i. p. 40. 

 I Guy's Hospital Reports, vol. vi. p. 14. 



