CUTANEOUS ELECTRIZATION. 



91 



or less continuous contact with air and water, it may be necessary 

 slightly to moisten the surface, in order that the electric excitation 

 may penetrate to tlie dermis. Large dry metallic rheophores, 

 cylindrical, olive-shaped, or conical, as shown in figs, 27, 28, 30, 

 and 31, are then applied to the skin and moved over its surface. 

 Rheophores of the first shape are used to excite, by their outer 

 face, the skin of the chest and liinbs ; the second for faradization 

 of the hairy scalp. 



The rheophores should always be moved, more or less quickly, 

 over the diseased parts. In certain special cases, when it is desired 

 to produce a very strong revulsion over a very small surface, the 

 point of the olive may be kept for some time stationary. When 

 the conical rheophore is thus employed, it is called by patients the 

 electric nail, from their comparing its action to that of a hot nail 

 penetrating the skin. This method of procedure is chiefly appli- 

 cable to the neighbourhood of the vertebral column. 



C. — Metallic threads. 



The metallic threads (fig. 32) are employed in the form of a 

 little brush, contained in a cylinder, which is screwed to an in- 

 sulating handle. There are two methods of faradi- 

 zation by the metallic threads. They may be moved 

 over the affected surface, or this surface may be lightly 

 struck with the extremity of the brush ; or they may 

 be held in contact with the skin as long as the patient 

 can bear them. The first proceeding has much 

 analogy, as regards its action on the sensibility, to 

 trauscurrent cauterization. The second I have called 

 electric fustigation. The third, seldom endured by 

 patients, may be employed in certain deep-seated 

 affections, — in the treatment of white swellings, for 

 example, and to aid the absorption of tumouis and 

 enlarged glands. It may be described as the electric 

 moxa. 



II. — Physiological and therapeutical action. 



The application of the electric hand to the ex- 

 citation of the cutaneous sensibility produces, in the 

 face, and under the influence of an intense current, 

 a very acute sensation. On other parts of the body 

 the sensation produced is hardly more than if the 

 hand rested long on the part. The smart crepitation caused by 

 the passage of the hand over the surface is the only effect produced. 



52.-Mftallic 

 tliri-'uds. 



