PERIPHERAL PALSY. 



365 



matic paralysis. As corroborants of the bath-treatment, but only in 

 cases where, owing to unfavorable circumstances, bathing is impracti- 

 cable, we recommend the application of stimulants to the skin, applied 

 along the course of the affected nerve. The usual prescription of an 

 embrocation of aromatic tinctures, which irritate the nose more than 

 the skin, should be set aside in favor of rubefacients and issues. 



Of the remedies called for by the indication from the disease itself, 

 the application of the constant electric current is that which deserves 

 our greatest reliance. We have already expressed our opinion that 

 cures effected by the constant current probably depended solely upon 

 its catalytic action, and that, by means of the galvanic treatment, it is 

 in our power greatly to modify the circulation, the process of endos- 

 mosis, and nutrition itself, even in tissues lying deep beneath the skin. 

 The induced current does not have this effect, and we have seen many 

 cases of peripheral palsy, which had been treated unsuccessfully by 

 the induced current, healed when the constant stream was applied. 

 This is especially the case with the rheumatic and traumatic palsies, 

 and those induced by lead and other poisons. 



The symptomatic indication demands : 1. That we should preserve 

 what remains of irritability in a partially paralyzed nerve, and avert, if 

 possible, its complete extinction. 2. That we should prevent atrophy 

 and fatty degeneration of the palsied muscles, or check them where they 

 have already begun. Both complete extinction of the already reduced 

 irritability, and the atrophy and degeneration of the palsied muscles, 

 are mainly due to continued rest, and to lack of excitement, which thus 

 constitute a new factor, whereby a palsy, dependent upon other causes, 

 is rendered more severe and intractable. It may even furnish the sole 

 reason why a paralysis merely improves sometimes, without disappear- 

 ing entirely. For the prevention of such a mishap, localized faradiza- 

 tion is an invaluable remedy. It is an important rule, in its employ- 

 ment, not to protract the sittings too much, and not to employ too 

 strong a current. Since we know that the excitability of a nerve is 

 quite as liable to impairment or destruction from too much exertion as 

 from too much rest, this rule needs no comment. It is equally evident 

 that, in traumatic, rheumatic, and toxic palsy, the induced current is 

 not to be employed before the disturbance of continuity has been al 

 layed, and the excitability of the affected nerve has begun to return ; 

 or, in other words, that the current is not to be applied until we find 

 that the muscles begin to contract under its influence. It is very de- 

 sirable that every physician should make himself so familiar with fara- 

 dization localized that he need not leave its employment to some one 

 else. The labors of Ziemssen have rendered this task quite an easy 

 one. A few days of practice upon the healthy subject, under the in- 



