THE USE OF 
ELECTROLYSIS IN GYNECOLOGY, 
BY - 
C. ROSEWATER, M. D. 
Omaha. Neb. 
Reprint from Omaha Clinic 
October, 1891. THE USE OF ELECTROLYSIS IN 
GYNAECOLOGY.* 
C. Rosewater, M. D., Omaha. 
About a year ago, I sent a circular to 
every regular physician in Nebraska, 
asking them to kindly let me know the 
extent to which they had made use of 
electrolysis in gy naecological practice and 
the results obtained in each case. The 
answers were few and meagre, only 
about 40 answers being received to over 
780 inquiries, and of these only four 
claimed to have used electrolysis at all. 
So I decided to give up the plan I then 
had of writing up a resume of the sub- 
ject with the experience of the entire 
medical profession of Nebraska, and 
postponed writing up my own experi- 
ences for some future occasion. 
This is a comparatively new but very 
promising field for investigation and 
work. Electricity has of course been 
used for many years, but its application 
for the treatment of gynaecological 
troubles is of rather recent date. Cutter 
and Kimball were, I believe, the first 
ones to use electrolysis for the cure of 
* Read before the Nebraska State Medical Society at Lincoln 
Neb., April, 1891. 2 
uterine tumors, especially fibroids, in a 
systematic manner, but their method of 
puncturing through the abdominal walls 
into the uterus with two needles connect- 
ed with strong galvanic currents was so 
dangerous that it found but few follow- 
ers, and never took root as an accepted 
gynaecological procedure. In the works 
of Thomas and Munde, both published 
in 1880, I find no mention of electroly- 
sis, but Bartholow, as early as 1881, re- 
cognizes it as a very useful agent in cer- 
tain classes of gynaecological disorders. 
I shall not occupy your time by at- 
tempting to trace the present accep- 
ted methods of using and applying elec- 
trolysis through their various stages 
of development, but simply wish to say 
that, among the numerous workers in 
this field,Tripierand Apostoli,in Europe, 
and Martin and Massey, in this country, 
were the ones mainly instrumental in 
popularizing the use of electrolysis in 
gynaecology by laying down definite 
rules for the easy guidance of the pro- 
fession in its application. 
The effect of electrolysis is produced in 
one of two ways, either by chemical ac- 
tion of the substances liberated by the 
different poles, the positive liberating 
acids and oxygen, and the negative al- 
kalies and hydrogen; or a certain pro- 3 
cess of resolution of tissues more remote, 
the exact explanation of which has not 
yet been arrived at. 
Electrolysis has been used in . almost 
every disease with which gynaecologists 
have to deal, but in some of these instan- 
ces it has been discarded in favor of other 
and better measures. In enlargement 
of the uterus, whether due to the pro- 
ducts of chronic inflammation, to a lack 
of involution, or to new formation of 
tissue other than malignant, electrolysis 
is today considered the treatment "par 
excellence," and operative measures are 
only resorted to after it has been given 
a thorough trial. In catarrhal con- 
ditions of the uterine canal, mild electro- 
lytic applications will generally bring 
about a return to a normal condition. 
In order to apply electrolysis, it is ne- 
cessary to have the following appara- 
tus: a good and sufficiently powerful 
battery. I have used a fifty cell Barrett 
battery, which has given me satisfaction 
in all cases, and has the advantage of 
being small, compact and portable; a 
water rheostat to regulate the strength 
of the current and enable one to turnon, 
increase or diminish the latter gradually 
without shocking the patient; a milia- 
meter to measure the strength of the 
current so as toknow just what amount 4 
of current is passing through the pa- 
tient; an intra uterine and an abdomi- 
nal electrode. The latter, as devised by 
Apostoli, consists of a round mould of 
potter's clay covered with cotton bat- 
ting or cloth. As this was rather heavy 
and inconvenient, a plate of metal, cov- 
ered with an ox bladder in such a man- 
ner as to be able to hold warm water, 
was devised. This, however, has the dis- 
advantage that the bladder will some- 
times thin out at one point and sudden- 
ly burst. If this happens when you are 
treating a patient, as it has a couple of 
times to me, you are placed in a not very 
enviable position. I now use a round, 
flexible tin plate, covered on one side with 
felt, which can be soaked with hot water 
and moulded to the shape of the abdo- 
men of the patient. Connecting cords 
must also be used to connect the various 
parts of the apparatus. In the combi- 
nation which I use, I have two Mackin- 
tosh cords, one end of each of which is 
ground down to fit the Barrett battery. 
With this apparatus, I have had no dif- 
ficulty in regulating the current and get- 
ting a weaker or stronger one, as the 
case may require. 
In the treatment of troubles of the 
mucous membranes, I have found the 
weaker currents of from 25 to 75 milli- 5 
amperes, to be of much greater value 
than the stronger ones. In cases of 
fibroids, the current used may run up as 
high as 150 to 200 milliamperes without 
injury to the patient, if care is taken in 
turning on this current gradually and 
not by sudden fits and starts. 
In general, the positive pole is to be 
used when there is too much tendency to 
hemorrhage, while in most other cases 
the negative pole is used, but even in 
this, I find equally good authorities dif- 
fer, they all, however, conceding to the 
positive pole the power of a hemostatic. 
Electrolysis is counter in dicatedin gen- 
eral in all acute inflammatory affections. 
Massey also warns against its use in 
papilloma of the broad ligament, and in 
ovarian tumors. 
The following are some of the cases 
which I have treated, the results in each 
of which will speak for themselves. 
Case 1.-Mrs. M., age 45 years, a 
tall, well built lady of excellent physique, 
called at my office March 13th, 1889, 
presenting the following history: On 
February 11th, 1889, during the time 
of her menstrual period, she was thrown 
out of her carriage, striking on her side 
when she fell. She immediately experi- 
enced a sharp pain in her right side, but 
a prominent surgeon who examined her 6 
at the time claimed that he found no 
bones broken, and that she had simply 
been badly shaken up and frightened. 
He prescribed medicines, but failed to 
give any permanent relief. On the con- 
trary, her pain grew worse, until, on the 
date above mentioned, when she called at 
my office. 
She had always enjoyed good health, 
except when four years ago (in 1885) a 
hard lump was removed from her left 
breast. With the exception of the peri- 
ods of gestation, and lactation of her 
four children, the youngest of which was 
then six years old. She had always 
menstruated regularly and without 
pain. Since the time of the accident she 
has not menstruated. 
I found on examination of the chest an 
oval lump of the size of a hen's egg in 
the anterior auxiliary line on the right 
side in the course of the eighth rib and 
corresponding to the seat of pain. It 
was evident to me that this rib had 
been broken, callus had formed, and the 
pressure of this had kept up and aggra- 
vated the pain. She complained of pain 
lower down in the abdomen, which I 
could not attribute to the fractured rib, 
and so I examined the pelvic organs. 
The fundus of the uterus seemed to pre- 
sent two distinct halves, the right one 7 
hard and nodular, somewhat of the 
shape and size of a kidney with the hilus 
turned upwards, and the convexity 
downwards and outwards. The left 
half of the body of the uterus was softer, 
more normal in consistence and size. 
There had been no history of amenor- 
rhoea, dysmenorrhoea, or menorrhagia, 
and the only symptom pointing toward 
any possible trouble in the uterus had 
been an indefinite dragging sensation in 
the pelvis. No discharge and nothing 
abnormal about cervix at this time. I 
prescribed an anodyne liniment, and 
some pills containing ergotin and nux 
vomica, following otherwise an expect- 
ant policy. 
March 27. I again examined patient, 
finding the left half of the womb larger 
than before and rather round. It felt 
like a rubber ball, and when compressed 
would immediately regain its former 
round shape upon relaxation of pressure. 
General health good. Right half of 
uterus same as before. 
April 8th. The left half of uterus still 
keeps on growing, distinctly gives He- 
gar's sign of pregnancy, that elastic re- 
bound of the uterus following compres- 
sion and relaxation. It is about of the 
size of a uterus two months pregnant. 
No menses have appeared since the time 8 
of the accident. Patient looks and feels 
well, with the exception of a slight nau- 
sea every morning. Balance of the day 
she feels 0. K. I informed her that I sus- 
pected she was pregnant, but she denied 
the possibility of such an occurrence. 
For the present,all active medication was 
discontinued. On meeting her husband 
the same day, he was still more emphatic 
as to the impossibility of pregnancy. 
April 15th. Condition still corresponds 
to assumption of diagnosis of pregnancy. 
Right half of uterus has not changed in 
size or shape since first examination. 
Left half round as a rubber ball, re- 
bounding upon relaxation of pressure. 
Morning sickness still continues. Gen- 
eral health otherwise good. Vagina soft 
succulent. No discharge from uterus. 
Cervix soft just as in pregnancy. On 
the day after this, Mr. M. told me that 
his wife had become reconciled to the di- 
agnosis of pregnancy and was feeling 
quite well, so that I need not call again 
until sent for. (This was April 16.) 
May 22nd. On being called again, I 
found a very marked change during the 
last five weeks. The patient did not feel 
so well as before, complained of back- 
ache and pain in the thighs especially 
when standing or walking around. 
The uterus had taken on a rapid growth, 9 
and was of the size of a large California 
orange. The body of the uterus was 
now of the consistence of cartilage, un- 
yielding, no longer gave the sensation of 
rebounding noticed earlier in the history 
of the case. Pregnancy was now out of 
the question. It was undoubtedly a 
fibroma or sarcoma. I suggested hyster- 
ectomy, and intended to turn her over 
to a surgeon who had done this opera- 
tion before, but the patient would not 
have any operation, so I called a con- 
sultant to settle on some definite course 
for the future. The latter agreed with 
me in the diagnosis, and the plan hither- 
to pursued, and suggested that I try 
electrolysis in this case. I suggested this 
to the patient, at the same time telling 
her that I had never treated a case in 
that way before, and would first have to 
obtain the necessary apparatus. With 
the understanding that it was to be a 
mere experiment, and that I was to be 
relieved of all responsibility, that she 
was to continue under treatment at 
least six weeks, unless her condition be- 
came such as to imperatively demand 
cessation of this course-with an under- 
standing as to all these points, I pur- 
chased the apparatus and set about 
treating her. The strength of current 
used ranged from 40 to 150 m. p., the 10 
length of time the application was con- 
tinued was four minutes, and the poles 
used were the negative intrauterine and 
positive abdominal. The applications 
were made about once in five days. 
Result. It was about the middle of 
June before I had procured the necessary 
apparatus and was ready to begin the 
treatment. By this time, pain in the 
flexors of the thighs, with shooting pains 
in the thighs, was complained of. After 
about three weeks'treatment, the tumor 
had apparently diminished in size some- 
what, the aches and pains had also be- 
come less frequent and persistent, and the 
patient felt greatly encouraged. The 
electrolytic treatment was continued 
about two months, but with the excep- 
tion of the above there was no change. 
Toward the end of this time the pain in 
the thighs became more severe and per- 
sistent, the general health of the patient 
was rapidly failing, and a hard lump of 
the size of a hen's egg had formed at the 
sterno clavicular articulation of the right 
side. Her husband took her to Wiscon- 
sin, their former home, but stopped on 
the way at Chicago to consult Dr. N. S. 
Davis, who pronounced it to be a case of 
malignant tumor, and advised cessation 
of all active treatment. She should re- 
turn home and prepare to die, as she 11 
would not live longer than about three 
months. This advice had the effect which 
might be expected of it. She now began 
to fail rapidly, and died in December 
1889, just ten months after being thrown 
out of her carriage. The abdominal tu- 
mor at the time of her death was as 
large as an eight month pregnancy. I 
asked for the privilege of a post mortem, 
but this was denied me. 
This case is of great interest in sev- 
eral particulars: First. It shows the 
unreliability of Hegar's sign of preg- 
nancy. Second. The difficulties in the 
way of a proper diagnosis in the. ear- 
lier stages of this case were such 
that the error of assuming it to be 
a pregnancy was in a measure jus- 
tifiable. The cessation of menstrua- 
tion, the gradual enlargement of the 
uterus, the morning nausea, the absence 
of cachexia or glandular enlargements 
were symptoms which might mislead the 
best of us. Third. The question also 
arises as to whether, if this was a ma- 
lignant sarcoma from the start, the 
electrolysis had any influence in hast- 
ening or retarding its growth. 
Case 2-Mrs. H 43 years old, 
mother of eight children, the youngest 
of which is three years old, came to me 
Sep. 30, 1889, from the northern part of 12 
state, with the following history. She is 
of medium size, with healthy complexion, 
and claims to date her ailment back two 
years. For a year after the last child 
was born, she felt pretty well; but then 
she noticed that her menses were becom- 
ing somewhat more profuse at each 
period and the intervals shorter. Dur- 
ing the intervals a leucorrhoeal discharge 
kepton. Dysmenorrhoea was also com- 
plained of. The uterus was found to be 
enlarged so that the sound entered three 
inches. Also somewhat anteflexed and 
endometrium bled upon slightest touch 
of sound. Diagnosis, subinvolution with 
endometritis chronica. Treatment, in- 
ternal administration of ergotin and nux 
vomica, and locally twice a week the 
positive pole of Barrett's battery from 50 
to 100 m. p. After five treatments, 
menses reappeared almost without pain 
and were not so profuse. Patient re- 
turned home feeling improved, and prom- 
ising to return, but never did return nor 
write about her condition. 
Case 3-Mrs. K. H, 43 years old, a 
rather small, but well built lady, with 
healthy complexion and hair turning 
slightly gray, came to me December 31, 
1889. She has had four children, the 
last one some eighteen months ago, since 
which time she had been in good health, 
until about a year ago. 13 
She complains of pelvic pain, pain in 
the back and groin increased during 
menstruation. Menses regular, profuse 
and accompanied by expulsion of clots. 
She can feel a lump in the lower part of 
her abdomen which has alarmed her, 
and on account of which she came to 
Omaha to be treated. Menses have ap- 
peared reg larly, somewhat profuse and 
painful, but lasted only four or five days, 
with no discharge between times. 
Sound passes into uterus 3^ inches 
without any obstruction, and is not 
bloody when withdrawn. Uterus upon 
bimanual manipulation is found to be 
considerably enlarged, somewhat ante- 
verted, but not tender to pressure. 
The enlargement of the uterus seems to 
involve the anterior wall more espe- 
cially. Pressure in right ovarian region 
is somewhat painful. Vagina presents 
a normal appearance, no signs of con- 
gestion or cyanosis being perceptible. 
Cervix enlarged, somewhat hardened 
and thickened, rather paler thaji usual, 
and os normal in size and appearance. 
Diagnosis, subperitoneal fibroid. 
Treatment consisted in the application 
of the galvanic current, with negative 
pole in uterus, and positive on abdomen. 
This increasing the haemorrhage occa- 
sionally, the application of the positive 14 
pole intrauterine became necessary. This 
treatment was applied three times a 
week during the first month, twice a 
week during the second, and about five 
or six treatments were given during the 
third month, at the end of which time 
the uterus only measured two inches in 
depth, the menses were painless, normal 
in quantity, and lasted but two days. 
She now went home, after procuring an 
entire electrolytic outfit, and having her 
physician come to Omaha to learn 
how to continue the treatment. I 
heard from her from time to time 
through the mails, and she has remained 
in good health ever since. 
On April 6th, 1891, she came to 
Omaha again to inquire as to whether 
the treatment might not be discon- 
tinued now that she was tactically 
cured. I found uterus still measuring 
but 214 inches, and normal in shape and 
position and advised discontinuing the 
treatment for awhile. I have not heard 
since from her, and judge from this that 
she has remained well. 
Case 4-Mrs. H., of Omaha, Neb., age 
31 years, mother of boy who is six years 
old. Ever since birth of that child she 
has suffered from dysmenorrhoea and 
nervous headaches preceding the onset 
of the menstrual flow. The pains 15 
would cease as soon as the flow was 
well established, but for two days pre- 
vious to this she was almost helpless, 
and found herself compelled to stay in 
bed. In December, 1889, she applied to 
me for treatment. I found uterus ante- 
verted, measuring 3 inches, with a cer- 
vical endometritis. There was a lacera- 
tion of the cervix with slight ectropum 
of lips. I treated her by the old 
method of applying iodine and glycer- 
ine by means of a probe wrapped with 
cotton to the cervical canal, and boro- 
glyceride tampon. After three months' 
treatment by this method, I could only 
see slight improvement. The dysmen- 
orrhoea and nervous headaches still oc- 
curred, though not quite so bad as be- 
fore. On March 7th, 1890, I thought I 
would abandon this method of treat- 
ment and try the application of electro- 
lysis. Acccordingly, I made negative 
cauterization of the cervical canal with 
a current of the strength of about 75 
m.p. and duration of about five minutes. 
Patient returned in about a week, re- 
porting that menses had set in three days 
after last treatment, without pain or 
headache. Treatment was discontinued, 
but patient has been entirely free from 
pain at her menstrual periods since. 
This result, following one application of 
electrolysis, is certainly remarkable. 16 
Case 5-Mrs. D., 28 years old, came 
to me for treatment of an endocervicitis 
with uterus bound down in a strongly 
anterverted position and slightly lacer- 
ated, as three years previous she had had 
a miscarriage, following which she was 
sick in bed for 16 weeks with a pelvic 
cellulitis. In January, 1888, I attended 
her in confinement with her first child. 
The first stage of labor was delayed con- 
siderably by irregular dilation of the 
os. This in turn was due to old inflam- 
matory deposits, which held the junction 
of body and- cervix bound down at cer- 
tain points and prevented the regular 
dilation of the canal. During the 
year 1889,1 treated her several times for 
cervical catarrh by the old method of 
local medicinal applications to the endo- 
cervix. I always found the uterus firm- 
ly bound down in an anteverted .posi- 
tion. The treament would benefit her 
for a while, but then again the old 
trouble would return. Thus it went, un- 
til January 27, 1890, when I decided to 
try the application of electrolysis. A 
mild current of 40 m. p. was applied to 
the cervical canal for a period of four 
minutes. These applications were re- 
peated at intervals of from 3 to 5 days, 
with the exception of the menstrual 
period, during which time and for forty- 17 
eight hours afterwards no application 
was made. The last application was 
made March 28th, 1890. On April 5th, 
patient reported that she had missed 
her regular monthly period, and thought 
pregnancy had set in. I found the uterus 
now freely movable, forward and back- 
ward, as well as upward and downward, 
and, as the cervical catarrh seemed to 
have stopped, the treatment was now 
discontinued. In the early part of May,' 
1890, she returned to me, complaining 
of nausea and vomiting occuring every 
morning. I found uterus enlarged and 
with a thick glassy discharge issuing from 
the cervix. The cervical catarrh had re- 
turned, and I thought it safe to try the 
application of electricity on the local 
diseased mucous membrane, in order to 
determine how far this was to blame 
for the vomiting. After two applica- 
tions, the vomiting was greatly amelior- 
ated, and the local condition improved. 
Treatment from this time was discon- 
tinued, and patient passed through a 
perfectly normal pregnancy, which ter- 
minated in a normal labor, January 3d, 
1891. The only complication during 
this labor was a very severe post par- 
tem hemorrhage, due to atony of the 
uterus and probably also too great 
haste in the delivery of the placenta. 18 
The puerperuim was perfectly normal, 
and both mother and child are now in 
the enjoyment of the best of health. 
Case 6-Mrs. J. H. H., troubled with 
cervical catarrh, relieved by one applica- 
tion of electrolysis on September 29, 
1890. Has reported herself free from 
trouble as late as April, 1891.