86 Mr. A. G. E. Foulerton and Dr. A. M. Kellas. [Mar. 30, 



6. In all cases in which germicidal action was manifest it appeared to us 

 that the result was due to the action of chemical substances formed by the 

 discharge, either from the surrounding atmosphere or from the water in which 

 the bacteria were suspended ; and in no case did we obtain any evidence that, 

 under the time conditions, the electrical current or its discharge had any direct 

 injurious influence on the bacteria, apart from the accompanying formation of 

 chemical germicidal substances and from whatever effect may be exercised by 

 the heat rays. 



In considering the application of the results of our experiments to the 

 explanation of the results which are obtained in medical practice by the use 

 of high-frequency discharges in the treatment of lupus and other diseases in 

 which surface ulceration has occurred, the different conditions under which 

 bacteria are exposed to the action of the discharge must be taken into 

 account. 



In our experiments the bacteria were immersed in a column of water of 

 about 3 cm. depth, but the water would probably be in a state of continuous 

 molecular disturbance, which would tend to bring the bacteria into intimate 

 contact with the chemical substances which are being taken up in solution 

 during the exposure. 



In cases of lupus and the various conditions of ulceration in which the 

 high-frequency discharges are used in medical practice the bacteria are 

 either exposed in a film of albuminous fluid on the surface under treatment, 

 or may be more or less deeply embedded in granulation tissue. When 

 bacteria are exposed on the surface it is obvious that the germicidal action 

 of nitrous and nitric acids formed in the air as the result of the discharge 

 will be readily and effectually exercised ; and even when the bacteria are 

 embedded in granulation tissue at a slight depth from the surface we think 

 that it is possible that some penetration of the tissue by these substances in 

 a nascent and active condition may occur, favoured doubtless by the 

 " impact " action of the discharge. And, in any case, we feel justified in 

 assuming as the result of our experiments that under the time conditions 

 which prevail in the use of these discharges in medical practice the electric 

 current itself has no special or direct injurious influence on the bacteria 

 present, and that, therapeutically, treatment by the use of these discharges 

 under the given conditions must be regarded merely as an efficient means for 

 the intimate application of chemical germicides formed from the atmosphere 

 in which the discharge takes place. Under the conditions existing in practice 

 the heat rays resulting from the discharge also probably assist in the germi- 

 cidal action in some degree. 



The use of these discharges in conditions of disease, such as carcinoma and 



