ELECTTIIZATION BY REFLEX ACTION.- 137 



If, in this case, the faradization had been continued, as in the 

 subject of Case V., the patient would probably have been saved. 

 From this example, confirmed by what I have seen in others, I 

 have come to the conclusion that patients asphyxiated by carbonic 

 oxide, and iu wbom electrization has removed all traces of asphyxia, 

 are still threatened, for a certain time, with a relapse into coma 

 and asphyxia ; and that it is consequently necessary to continue 

 the peripheral excitation for a considerable time after the patients 

 have been recalled to life, and to apply cutaneous faradization to 

 the precordial region, as soon as any tendency to sleep or to coma 

 becomes apparent. It was to the observation of these precepts 

 that the young subject of Case V. owed his life. 



It is important to add that the danger which threatens these 

 patients is a result of the blood poisoning by carbonic acid pro- 

 duced by the asphyxia itself; and that it is greater in proportion 

 to the length of time that the asphyxia has continued. In support 

 of this proposition, I could cite many examples from my practice ; 

 but shall only relate one, and that concisely : — 



Case VII. — I was called, some years ago, by LOI. Trousseau and Chailly, 

 to a case of asphyxia in a new-born infont. At birth it gave no sign of life 

 (tlie labour had been long and difficult), and it had been restored imme- 

 diately by artificial respiration, made from mouth to month by Chailly ; but, 

 however prolonged and renewed this process, and in spite of stimulating 

 frictions, it remained in a state of semi-asphyxia from two o'clock till eight 

 in the morning. At the time of my arrival it had not lireathed for about a 

 minute. I moved the metallic rheophores of my induction apparatus over 

 the in'ecordial region, and in five or six seconds witnessed respiratory move- 

 ments, feeble at first, but becoming more and more developed, and leading, 

 for the first time, to the cry of the new-born, until, under the influence of 

 deep inspiration, the lividity of asjihyxia had disappeared. We thought all 

 was safe. Nothing could express the astonishment and delight of the family 

 at the result. The infant was the first grandson of one of the kings of 

 finance. But ten minutes later it relapsed into coma, the breathing became 

 more and more slow, the lips were once more Livid, and, in a word, the as- 

 phyxia re-appeared. I succeeded again by the former process of faradization, 

 to which I added artificial respiration by faradization of the i^hrenic nerves, 

 practised for five or six seconds. Ten minutes later there was another 

 relapse, followed by a renewed success from the cutaneous faradization, which 

 this time acted more slowly. In another quarter of an hour the asphyxia 

 gained the upper hand, and the infant died. 



II. — Treatment of gave functional disorders of the cardiac circula- 

 tion and the respiration, symi^tomatic of a dynamic central nervous 

 lesion. 



Excitation of the medulla by reflex action, by means of cutane- 

 ous faradization of certain zones of the thorax, will modify or 

 cure: — I. grave disorders of the cardiac circulation, symptomatic 

 of a paralytic condition of the vagus, producing syncope .that is 

 sometimes fatal, by stoppage of the heart ; 2. disorders of the 



