ELECTRIZATION BY REFLEX ACTION. 125 



at the moment when, during the revolution of the wheel from left 

 to right, it breaks the inducing circuit of the primary coil, it is 

 only the current of interruption that can be transmitted to tlie 

 induced circuit. It is unnecessary to say that the contrary occurs 

 when tlie wheels A and B are turned in the opposite direction. 



In order to show the utility of tlie rheotome above described, it 

 is suiBcient to say that it has enabled me to investigate, physio- 

 logically and therapeutically — 



1. The influence of centrifugal or centripetal induced currents. 



2. The comparative values and the comparative effects of the 

 induced currents of interruption and of completion. 



3. The influence of centrifugal or centripetal induced currents, 

 with reversal of the poles at will. 



2. Therajoeuiic action in the treatment of paralysis. 



It is sometimes desirable to stimulate the nervous centres. In 

 such cases we commonly have recourse to the various medicines 

 which possess a special property of producing muscular con- 

 tractions by their influence upon the nervous system. Electriza- 

 tion of the nerve-extremities by reflex action operates in an 

 analogous manner. I have therefore applied it to the treatment 

 of certain cases of paralysis in which I was able, without danger, 

 to extend the stimulation to the nervous centres. 



I have not always been able to congratulate myself upon the 

 results obtained by this method. The paralytics that I have 

 faradized by its means have, it is true, in some cases received 

 benefit ; but, consecutively to the treatment, some of them have 

 experienced deep-seated pains in the course of the nerves the 

 extremities of which had been excited, pains that have frequently 

 been persistent, and have assumed the character of neuralgia. 

 The energetic excitation of numerous nerve-branches, specially 

 subservient to sensibility, explains the frequency of these accidents. 



Under certain circumstances, faradization by reflex action has 

 exposed the patients to consequences of the most serious character. 

 The following case is an example : — 



Case IV. — A medical student, M. X., £et. 22, had been struck by apoplexy in 

 1851. The hemiplegia, which affected the left side, and which was due to 

 cerebral haemorrhage, had gradually disappeared in the course of a year. 

 But the voluntary movements were impeded by the continued contraction 

 of certain muscles, especially the flexors of the fore-arm and of the hand, 

 a contraction which extended to a greater number when he wished to per- 

 form certain movements, or when he experienced any impression whatever. 

 Such phenomena are not symptomatic only of a sclerosis of the spinal cord, 

 as seems to be established by modern research ; but they may indicate a 

 condition of hyperaemia which it is necessary not to over-excite, on pain of 

 producing the most serious accidents. Ignorant of this danger, the student, 



