VOL. LIII.] I'HILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 681 



and the end of the month, more than 900 drops of that tincture were taken : a 

 large quantity for so young a person ! This they sometimes thought had a good 

 effect, as the jaw was at times somewhat loosened; but this advantage was tem- 

 porary, and the stricture soon returned as severe as before. Though this medi- 

 cine, given in large doses, did not affect her head, but only gave her quiet 

 nights, yet it was occasionally obliged to be suspended ; as her pulse was at times 

 much sunk, and her sweats cold and clammy. Volatile liniments were liberally 

 used to the rigid parts, and warm bathing was continued for many weeks, with 

 much friction, while in the warm water. After warm bathing had been so long 

 tried without sensibly good effect, cold bathing, recommended by Hippocrates 

 (nspi ^a!rw^, lib. iii.) for the cure of this disease, was directed; and she was dipped 

 several times, without being apparently the better or worse for it. 



From the end of Sept., as what had been done hitherto had not been able to 

 prevent the rigidity extending itself, they desisted from attempting to relieve her 

 by medicine, and determined to nourish and support her ; and wait to observe, 

 though it was scarcely to be expected, whether nature unassisted would point out 

 any crisis for her relief. This attention was continued to the middle of Nov. without 

 any other alteration than that her convulsions increased in their force ; and every 

 day, by those who were about her, was expected to be the last; and which was 

 an event, as the prospect was so unpromising, much to be wished for. Dread- 

 ful however as her situation was, she was still alive : they were desirous there- 

 fore of omitting nothing that in the least might be expected to relieve her. 



Dr. W. had heretofore many times observed, that in paralytic limbs, the 

 muscles of which had for a considerable time ceased to be subservient to the will 

 of the patient, he had been able, by means of electricity, to make any muscle he 

 thought proper contract itself, and act as a muscle, without the patient's being 

 able to controul it. He had seen in one instance the good effects of electricity, 

 in restoring to the hands and arms of a paralytic almost their accustomed strength, 

 and voluntary motion ; but these good effects, the greatest part of them at least, 

 were only temporary, and the patient relapsed. But he had never seen or known 

 the effects of electricity in the contrary affection, viz. rigidity of muscles. He 

 was very desirous therefore of trying its effects in this instance, and of shaking 

 the rigid muscles by electricity; especially as he could have it done with very 

 little pain, and no danger to the patient. He just now mentioned, that he was 

 able in paralytic persons to make any particular muscle at his will exert its action. 

 This was to be effected by simple electi-izing only; but by modifying and alter- 

 ing the apparatus of the charged vial, he was able to do much more. It was 17 

 years before, that he discovered, and communicated at that time, that by means 

 of the electric circuit he could cause the electricity to pervade any muscle, any 

 number of muscles, or whatever part of the body he pleased, without affecting 



VOL. XI. 4 S 



