CONTACT ELECTKICITY. 15 



action and a durable effect, analogous to that of the moxa, or 

 of cauterization by hot iron. 



M. Matteuci/ drawing therapeutic deductions from his vivisec- 

 tions, has advised the employment of a continuous ascending 

 current in tetanus, as an hyposthenisant of the nervous system. He 

 says it is natural to suppose that the passage of a continuous cur- 

 rent along a tetanized limb would destroy that state by producing 

 paralysis. In support of his theory, this celebrated physicist cites 

 a case in which tetanus was cured by the influence of the con- 

 tinuous current. The fact is important; but it requires to be 

 confirmed by further experience. He has also endeavoured to 

 establish, on electro-physiological data, a method of galvanization 

 by continuous currents, for the treatment of paralyses of sensation 

 and of motion. I purpose to examine the value of these electro- 

 therapeutic deductions in the third chapter, which is devoted to a 

 critical notice of the different methods of electrization. 



The galvanization of muscles by intermittent currents may 

 certainly be employed with advantage in the treatment of paralyses 

 of movement, and of muscular atrophy ; but the inconveniences 

 inherent in this method of electrization (its calorific action and the 

 size and unwieldiness of the necessary apparatus) render the 

 method by induction generally preferable. 



The chemical properties of electricity by contact may be advan- 

 tageously applied in therapeutics. We know, for instance, how 

 happily they have been utilized by surgeons for the coagulation of 

 the blood within aneurismal sacs.^ 



What is the therapeutic value of continuous currents in atrophy 

 and atrophic paralysis? I shall return to this question in the 

 third chapter. 



Galvanization of the skin is not applicable to the treatment of 

 cutaneous anaesthesia, because it produces vesications and eschars. 

 But the calorific action of galvanism may sometimes be employed 

 with benefit in surgery, in the destruction of certain tumours, and 

 in the cauterization of wounds, either used as an actual cautery in 



* Traite des Phenomenes Electro-Phy- i much as possible. 

 siolocfique^ des Animaux. Paris, 1814. The positive pole of the pile exerts a 



^ Although this application of galvanic ! coagulating action ; while the negative 



electricity to the treatment of aneurisms 

 has been for some time abandoned, it is 

 not impossible that it may one day be 

 revived with some success. I think it 

 will first be necessary to examine what 

 conditions of size of surface and number 



pole, on the contrary, acts as a solvent. 

 The idea has been entertained of applying 

 this special property of the positive pole 

 to the treatment of certain fibro-plastic 

 deposits which form between the laminae 

 of the cornea. The first attempts of this 



of elements should be combined, in order kind appear to have been crowned with 

 to obtain considerable electrolytic action, ! success, 

 while the calorific action is masked as 



