GALVANIC CAUTERY IN UTERINE DISEASES. 
537 
THE GALVANIC CAUTERY IN THE TREATMENT OF 
UTERINE DISEASES. 
By Robert Ellis, Esq. 
The earliest application of galvanism for the purpose of 
cauterising was made by Mr. Marshall. Mr. Ellis’s 
investigations had led him to a more extensive application of 
the remedy ; and he had sought to provide for the collection 
and concentration of heat over a considerable surface. With 
this view, he used a tube of porcelain — which he had found 
to be the best substance for the purpose — round which was 
twisted about a foot of platinum wire. The porcelain is 
placed at one end of a silver catheter, and is connected with 
the conductors of a Grove’s battery by means of a copper 
wire passing through the catheter. This instrument he 
believed to possess an advantage over the actual cautery in 
cases where it was indicated, in being always ready for use, 
and far less formidable in appearance. 
In the application, the patient should lie on her left side. 
A cylindrical glass speculum is introduced, and the diseased 
part made to protrude through it. The mucus on the surface 
of the part must be removed, in order to avoid loss of heat. 
The platinum wire having been in a few seconds heated to a 
white heat, the porcelain becomes hot; and the whole is 
applied to the diseased part. If any portion has escaped, the 
cautery must be again applied. It is important that the 
platinum wire be raised to a white heat; otherwise it is 
liable to produce pain, and slight haemorrhage from a portion 
of the tissue adhering and being torn away. The length of 
time for which it is applied should be in proportion to the 
extent and depth of tissue which the surgeon thinks it 
desirable to destroy. The pain is generally less than that 
produced by the application of caustic. 
The after treatment consists of absolute rest, saline 
draughts with hyoscyamus, and opiates if required. Warm 
soothing injections are also useful ; and it is important that 
these be effectually applied. After two or three days, the 
patient may rise ; but should still rest as much as possible. 
The eschar generally comes away from the eighth to the 
tenth day. 
The cases in which this treatment is applicable are those 
of long-standing ulceration with induration, prolapsus uteri, 
and in the prolapsus of the vagina and bladder, described by 
Dr. Golding Bird and Mr. I. B. Brown. Mr. Ellis had 
used it in twenty cases, without any untoward results. 
xxvi. 70 
