FARADIZATION OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE. 107 



A. — Action upon paralysis of touch. 



Apply moist rheophores on the track of the collateral nerves, 

 and to the pulp of the fingers. 



B. — Action upon certain forms of paralysis of the retina 

 {amaurosis). 



I have shown in the preceding chapter, that galvanism possesses 

 the special property of exciting the retina very acutely ; producing 

 luminous sensations when moist rheophores are apj^lied to parts of 

 the face on which the branches of the fifth pair ramify ; and that 

 these sensations increase in acuteness as the rheophores approach 

 the median line. It suffices to recall these facts, in order to 

 know how to operate, when it is an indication to excite the retina, 

 as in amaurosis. In default of a galvanic current, it would be 

 possible to use the induced current of the second helix of a niag- 

 neto-faradic apparatus. The action of this current upon the retina, 

 although less than that of galvanism, is still sufficiently powerful. 



To direct excitation of the retina may be added electro-cuta- 

 neous excitation of the circumference of the orbit. 



I shall hereafter describe the methods of faradization of the 

 ocular muscles, in treating of paralysis of these muscles. 



C. — Action upon paralysis of hearing. 



(1). Fill the external auditory meatus with tepid watei-, and 

 place a metallic rheophore — a sound, for example — in the water. 

 Complete the circuit by a second rheophore on the nucha. (This 

 method, to which I shall return, has allowed me to institute 

 electro-physiological and pathological researches into the uses of 

 the chorda tyinpani.) 



The sensibility of the membrana tympani is very great ; and 

 hence it is necessary to avoid rapid intermissions and intense 

 currents. I purpose to treat specially of certain forms of nervous 

 deafness ; and we shall then see that some of these forms, and 

 even some of congenital deaf-mutism, have been successfully 

 treated by these procedures. 



D. — Action on paralysis of smell. 



A moist rheophore being placed over the nucha, the second (a 

 metal sound of small diameter, insulated by caoutchouc except 

 at its extremities) is moved over all points of the nasal mucous 

 membrane. 



It is often sufficient to excite very feebly the general sensibility 



