204 LOCALIZED ELECTRIZATION. 



the contracted limb was preserved. The sleep was interrupted, moreover, by 

 the spinal pain in the dorsal region ; there had neither been headache, nor 

 fever, the menstruation was regular, and the appetite and general health 

 were good. 



Galvanic treatment, by continuous and reflex currents, was commenced 

 immediately. I employed a pile composed of bO suliihate of lead elements, so 

 graduated as at first to give only a force of 10, 20, or 30 elements, according 

 to the maximum of tolerance, which was different on different points on 

 which the rheophores were placed. Sometimes the negative rheophore was 

 placed over the course of the median nerve, at the lower part of the forearm, 

 and the positive at the bend or the middle part of the arm, over the course 

 of the same nerve ; sometimes the contracted hand was immersed in water 

 that was in communication with the negative pole ; while the positive pole 

 was placed either at the origin of the cervical and dorsal nerves, or over the 

 brachial plexus, or over the course of the nerves that proceed from it. 



After about ten seanres, the patient was able a little to correct the position 

 of the wrist during the passage of the current ; but this power ceased with 

 the operation. From this time the hand progressively opened, and remained 

 open at fii'st for some minutes, and, after further applications, for some 

 houi-s after each galvanization. Then the patient was able to open and 

 shut the hand a Uttle at will; but a few days later menstruation set in, 

 and the contraction of the flexors of the fingers became as complete as 

 before. 



After a repose of six days, the application of the continuous ciu-rent was 

 renewed as before ; and, at the end of three seances, the contraction of the 

 flexors of the fingers and thumb had disappeared. But the spasms continued 

 in the other muscles, and increased in the biceps, and even in the radial 

 muscles, until, although Mademoiselle x * * * could open and shut the hand 

 freely enough, it remained in a state of supination and forced extension, 

 which rendered it useless. 



The continuous current, employed for twelve days longer in an ascending 

 direction, produced no improvement in the state of these conti'actions. 



I then determined, before abandoning electric treatment, to try localized 

 faradization with rapid intermissions. I applied it very energetically to the 

 antagonists of the contracted muscles, to the pronator teres, the triceps 

 braciiialis, the interossei, and to the extensors of the fingers. To my great 

 sui'prise, in the course of a few minutes all the contractions had completely 

 disappeared. The result obtained so rapidly was maintained, and half an 

 hour after. Mademoiselle x * * * coul'd write, and, in my presence even 

 played scales upon the piano, which she had been unable to do for more than 

 two years. The localized faradization was continued for twelve days longer, 

 in order to confirm the cure, and to increase the strength and sensibility of 

 the hand. After twelve seances, the force of the flexors of the fingers wliich, 

 measured by my dynamometer, at first scarcely equalled four kilogrammes, 

 had mounted to eighteen. 



Eeturned to her home. Mademoiselle x * * * preserved the full use of the 

 right hand and arm until December 1866, but with the first access of severe 

 cold her forearm was rendered supine by contraction of the supinator brevis : 

 the hand preserving full bberty in all its movements. The pain, which had 

 extended from the last cervical vertebra to the middle of the dorsal region, 

 returned more acutely. BHsters, di-essed with morphia, dry cupping, and 

 opium internally, were used without success. 



On the 29th of September, 1867, Mademoiselle x * * * was brought to me 

 in this condition. In a few seances 1 again mastered the contraction of the 

 supinator brevis, by energetic faradization of the antagonists with rapid inter- 

 missions. 1 was afterwards able notably to diminish the spinal pains by 

 electro-cutaneous excitation over their seat. Since then, the contractions 

 have not reappeared ; but, some weeks after, the spinal pains returned, more 

 acutely than ever, with exacerbations during the night ; and they still con- 

 tinued in 1869, notwithstanding all the medication that was employed. 



