FAEADIZATION OF INTERNAL ORGANS. 



103 



the right position (on the inner margin of the sterno-mastoid, immediately 

 below the omo-hyoid), the thickness of the superincumbent soft parts protects 

 the nerve in most cases, if not always. My experiments with both methods 

 have, as yet, led to no positive results."—^. 7'.] 



Fig. 39. — Dr. Morell Mackenzie's laryngeal rheopliore. 



6. — Faradization of the stomach, the liver, the lungs, and the heart 



Even when moist rheopliores are employed, and whatever may 

 be the strength of the current, the thickness of the thoracic 

 and abdominal parietes will not permit the electric excitation to 

 reach the regions situated within their cavities. Most of these 

 organs may, however, be faradized indirectly, thanks to the 

 pneumogastric, which is accessible to rheophores in the pharynx 

 and in the oesophagus. It is plain that the effects of faradization 

 of the pneumogastric must vary according to the height at which 

 that nerve is excited. From the lower part of the oesophagus, the 

 excitation of the nerve is communicated solely to the stomach and 

 the liver ; while from the upper part of the pharynx, it is com- 

 municated to all the organs that the nerve supplies. To faradize 

 the pneumogastric at its upper portion, the olive of the rheophore 

 should be carried over the inferior and lateral part of the pharynx, 

 and the circuit completed by placing the second rheophore on the 

 nucha.^ 



When it is wished to limit the action to the stomach and liver 

 an olive-shaped rheophore should be carried by an insulated stem, 

 to the cardiac orifice, and the circuit completed by placing the 

 second rheophore upon the epigastric region. 



Is faradization of the pneumogastric sometimes indicated ? At 

 present, experience has taught us nothing worth notice as to the 

 therapeutic value of the proceeding. I hope, however, that it may 

 be applied with success to the treatment of certain obstinate 



* It is necessary to remind the reader 

 that in its cervical portion the pneixmo- 

 gastric rests during its whole course upon 

 the prevertebral muscles; that in the 

 angular space it is covered posteriorly, on 

 one side by the internal jugular vein, on 

 the other by the common and the internal 

 carotid artery ; that the superior laryn- 



geal nerve, which springs from the in- 

 ferior and internal portion of the gangli- 

 form plexus, lies below and to its inner 

 side, and that, arrived at the side of the 

 I^harynx, at the level of the middle con- 

 strictor muscle, it gives oft' the external 

 laryngeal, and tlie nerve of arrest of 

 Sion. 



