GENERAL EFFECTS. 113 



diphtheritic poison, being in a state of extreme excitability, had 

 attacks of grave syncope, and was constantly in danger of arrest of 

 the heart's action. 



The general nervous disorders in question may sometimes be 

 produced even when the subject is in his natural state. Thus, I 

 could mention one of my confreres and friends, who cannot submit 

 to electrization without experiencing vertigo, dazzling, S^c, how- 

 ever feeble may be the electro-physiological effects produced in 

 him. I am unable to say what are the causes which predispose to 

 this extreme susceptibility to electric influences. 



From the facts stated above, I deduce the following proposi- 

 tions : — 



1. The changes Avrought in the state of the natural electricity, 

 by which the human body is pervaded, may produce, independently 

 of tlie local electro-physiological phenomena due to localized 

 faradization, general effects of a particular kind. 



2. Most commonly, these general effects are not appreciable. 

 They are only manifested in certain rare idiosyncracies, or patho- 

 logical conditions, the causes of which are usually unknown. 



3. These general effects, the chief of which are giddiness, 

 dazzling, nausea, and even vomiting, render the application even 

 of localized electrization difficult. Sometimes they contra-indicate 

 its employment. 



4. We may, however, under certain circumstances, have recourse 

 to it, in order to encounter serious disorders of the circulation or 

 respiration. 



