FARADIZATION OF INTERNAL ORGANS. 93 



of the trunk ; on the internal and anterior aspects of the limbs 

 than on their external and posterior aspects. 



The skin of the palm of the hand possesses the least electric 

 excitability, and that of the sole of the foot more, except at its 

 middle and internal portion. In persons whose hands are much 

 exposed to air and moisture, the sensibility of the skin covering 

 them is so blunted that particular methods and a very strong 

 current are necessary in order to excite it. 



There is no other therapeutic agent the action of which is 

 comparable to that of cutaneous ftiradization. By this alone, the 

 sensibility of the skin may be excited to any extent, either in 

 passing rapidly from a simple tingling to the most intense pain, 

 or in passing gradually through all intermediate degrees. By this 

 alone can an excitation be produced, which that of the actual 

 cautery scarcely equals, without disorganising the tissues, without 

 even raising the epidermis, however prolonged may be the opera- 

 tion. The sensation produced ceases suddenly, and nearly always 

 completely, as soon as tlie rlieophore is no longer in contact 

 with the skin; and the instantaneousness of the action allows 

 the electric stimulation to be carried rapidly to all points of the 

 surface of the body. 



This exposition of the chief properties of cutaneous faradization 

 should afford an idea of the power of its therapeutic action, and of 

 the numerous services that it is calculated to afford in practice. 

 These I shall have many occasions to establish in the course of the 

 w^ork. 



Part the Fourth. 



Faradization of internal organs, the genital organs, and of the 

 organs of the senses. 



Most of the organs situated Avithin the cavities of the body are 

 accessible to faradic excitation,^ either directly, by the action of 

 rheophores placed upon their tissues, or indirectly, by stimulation 

 of the nerves that govern them. I proceed to describe the 

 different methods that I have adopted, in order to direct upon 

 these organs the faradic excitation. 



§ I. Faradization of Internal Organs. 

 1, Faradization of the rectum and muscles of the anus. 



Involuntary stools and descent of the rectum are often caused 

 by paralysis of the sphincter and levator ani ; and it may then be 



'' I repeat that it is not sufficient either that the electric recomposition 

 that an organ should be traversed by an should take place within its tissue, or 

 electric current in order to be excited by that the nerve which governs it should 

 it. It is necessary for tliat purpose, I be directly stimulated. 



