6/4 DEGENERATIVE REACTIONS OF MUSCLE AND NERVE. 



constant current should be employed. The question should be raised as to the 

 extent to which the suppression of sensation could be aided by the establishment 

 of katelectrotonus in the central focus. 



In cases of hyperesthesia and neuralgia, faradic currents are applied with the 

 object of obtunding to a certain extent irritated areas of skin by hyperirritation 

 by means of active applications. For this purpose strong currents passed through 

 a wire brush cause a sort of flagellation, and the brush on long-continued application 

 may act as an electrical moxa. In addition to this local effect, feeble currents 

 excite, reflexly, acceleration of the circulation, with increased action of the heart 

 and contraction of the vessels, while strong currents have the opposite effect. 

 Both may, under certain circumstances, be of therapeutic value. 



The employment of the constant current in cases of neviralgia is intended in 

 the first place to induce diminution in the irritability of the morbidly irritated 

 portion of the nerve by causing anelectrotonus. In accordance with the character 

 of the case, the anode may be applied to the nerve-trunk or even to the center, 

 and the kathode to an indifferent portion of the body. The catalytic and cata- 

 phoric effects should be taken into consideration, as through them, especially in 

 cases of recent rheumatic neuralgia, irritating inflammatory products may be 

 dissolved and dispersed. Descending currents kept closed permanently in the 

 course of the nerve are especially recommended, and often prove surprisingly 

 effective, especially in recent cases. Finally, the constant current, acting as 

 a cutaneous irritant, may, like the faradic current, exert a reflex influence upon 

 the activity of the heart and the vessels. 



To determine definitely whether the irritability from the nerve or the muscle 

 is normal, it is necessary to have an absolute current-meter, preferably Edel- 

 mann's unit-galvanometer, with an electrode having a section of 3 sq. cm. -unit- 

 electrode. On application of this, the normal irritability in the same individual 

 exhibits a galvanic variation of 2.3 milliamperes. The differences in irritability 

 between different healthy persons in the same nerve are smaller (1.2 m. a.) than 

 between the different nerves of the same individual (2.3 m. a.). Kathodal closing 

 contraction usually occurs earlier than anodal opening contraction. Stronger cur- 

 rents are required in the new-born to cause contraction on irritation of nerves and 

 muscles than in adults. 



v. Ziemssen and Edelmann have established an accurate dosage for the 

 induced current in the treatment of diseases of the nervous system. 



Recently sparks from the electrical machine or charges from the same source 

 have been employed successfully by Charcot and Ballet in the treatment of anes- 

 thesia, facial paralysis, paralysis agitans. According to the former, isolated con- 

 traction of muscles can be induced in cases of spinal paralysis by the spark, even 

 if they no longer react to the faradic current. 



Mention should finally be made here of the fact that electricity is also em- 

 ployed for the production of thermic effects in various forms of the cautery 

 Mitteldorpf's galvanocautery. 



The electrolytic properties of the electrical current have been employed for 

 the purpose of causing coagulation in aneurysms or varices (arterial and venous 

 tumors filled with blood) galvanopuncture. 



Under the influence of currents of high tension and extraordinary frequency, 

 d'Arsonval observed increased respiratory activity, increased elimination of 

 urine, increased combustion in the body, an influence upon the vascular nerves 

 and the skin, and also effects upon the protoplasm of the cells, attenuation of 

 toxins, and immunization, through which perhaps an enlarged view is opened into 

 the treatment especially of disorders of metabolism. 



ELECTRICAL CHARGING OF THE ENTIRE BODY AND OF INDIVIDUAL 



PORTIONS. 



The elder Saussure investigated by means of the electroscope the charge 

 in many persons placed upon an insulated stool. He attributed the irregular 

 phenomena observed by him to the electricity generated through the friction 

 of the clothing upon the skin. Later Gardini and others contended that the 

 presence of a positive charge in the body is normal, while Sjosten and others 

 held that the charge is negative. It is, however, probable that all of these charges, 

 as well as those observed by Meissner, are purely due to friction-phenomena, 

 modification in the effects of the distribution of the air, and to the contact of hetero- 

 geneous conductors. 



Strong charges, to the point of causing a spark, have frequently been de- 



