' ^CTRaTHERAPEUTJ'CS. 
WOODWARD. TREATISES 
ON 
hElectroiTmerapeutics^ 
^C•^NIC5L♦CaSES^ 
OF 
Diphtheria? with *Treatment^ 
BY 
J. H. WOODWARD, M. D. 
»* v 
Prof, of Materia Medica and Therapeutics, Representing the Electic School of Medi- 
cine in the Medical Department of the Nebraska State University. 
SEWARD, NEBRASKA: 
BLADE BOOK AND JOB PRINTING HOUSE, 
1883. ^INTRODUCTIONS 
"Study books to get light, which illuminates the dark paths through the wilder- 
ness of untaught ways, so that whence the authors found knowledge, there, 
too, you may come in possession of like power." 
In preparing this treatise on general and special Electro-Therapeutics, 
I have endeavored to present some facts in electrical science which have 
been out of the reach of the general medical student. It has only been 
within the last decade that treatise of much value on electricity as a 
terapeutic agent have been presented to the medical profession, which 
now, engage the attention of some of the brightest intellects in the 
healing art. It has been my object to collate scattered facts here and 
there from authors of the past, and add to them the latest inquiries of 
authors of the present, with the results of my own experience, and ar- 
ranging them in such form as to clearly present the principles of electro- 
therapeutics as far as I have investigated the subject; the difficulty of 
rationally accounting for every electrical phenomena seen, will, I trust, 
be an excuse for all errors of omission and commission found in the 
pages of this book. 
It will be seen that our field of inquiry is large, embracing many of 
the facts in physiology, pathology and therapeutics. If I have so pre- 
sented these principles, as to awaken new interest in, and facilitate the 
study of electro-therapeutics, I will be abundantly rewarded for my 
labor. In the preparation of this work, several most excellent authors 
have been consulted, and, as the authors from whom much valuable mat- 
ter has been received, are not always quoted, I would call attention at 
this place, and acknowledge my indectedness to John Butler, M. D., J. 
B. Dodds, M. D., W. A. Tipton, M. D., Julius Althaus, M. D., J. M. Scud- 
der, M. D., John King, M. D., and Robert Bartholow, M. D. 
The Author. 
Copyrighted by 
J. H. WOODWARD, M. D. a TREATISE ON ELECTRO-THERAPEUTICS. 
As the Creator of the universe has endowed man with rea- 
son, and assigned him a noble and intelligent rank in the scale 
of intellectual and moral being-and as he has commanded 
him to use this faculty-so may I with justice remark, that he 
who cannot reason is a fool; he who dare not reason is a cow- 
ard ; he who will not reason is a bigot; but he who can and 
dare reason is a man. The realms of nature lie open in bound- 
less prospect above, beneath and around us. Order, harmony 
and beauty, are so perfectly woven together and blended 
throughout Nature, as to form the magnificent robe she wears, 
and with which she not only charms and even dazzles the eyes 
of the beholder, but conceals the overwhelming power and 
majesty of her person. As she moves, the most grand and 
awful impressions mark her footsteps on the globe's surface or 
center-in air or ocean. She smiles in the gentleness of the 
calm, and frowns in the fury of the storm. But whether 
silence reigns, earthquakes rumble, or thunders roll, she keeps 
her mighty course, unaffected by the revolution of ages. The 
truths that God has established inherent in nature, are not 
only infinitely diversified, but are at the same time immutable 
and eternal. No possible addition can be made to their num- 
ber, nor is it in the power of man to create or annihilate a 
single truth in the empire of nature. They exist independent 
of his belief or disbelief, and all he can do is to search them 4 
ELECTRICITY WHAT IS IT? 
out and bring them forth from darkness, into the light of day. 
Men of science have nothing to fear from new discoveries in 
the shoreless ocean of truth. The volumes of nature and 
revelation both claim the same perfect Author, who had every- 
thing open and naked to his omniscient inspection, and'exer- 
cised infinite wisdom in producing and establishing the order 
and harmony of the universe. We are floating in an immen- 
sity of space that knows no bounds, like the mote in the sun- 
beam. These ideas of creative power and wisdom force upon 
us those amazing conceptions of the oppressive grandeur of 
his works under which the mind labors and struggles in its 
contemplations, but is borne down, lost and bewildered in the 
immensity of the theme. Order, variety and beauty in end- 
less succession meet us on every hand. All this has been ac- 
complished by the Infinite mind through Electricity. This 
subtle fluid is not only the connecting link between mind and 
matter, but is the grand agent employed by the Creator to 
move and govern the universe. There must, in the very ar- 
rangement of things, be in the universe an Infinite Mind; that 
inherent motion is not an attribute common to all substances 
in nature. This globe as a body, has no inherent motion 
per se, but is moved by the positive and negative forces of 
electrical action, and all the operations of nature are carried 
on by the same power, whether it be the growth of vegetation 
or its decomposition, motions and changes in air and wafer, 
or the crumbling particles of the mountain rock. And yet it 
is certain that Electricity does not possess inherent motion as 
its attribute. Inherent motion belongs to one substance only, 
and that is mind. Let us for a moment turn our attention to 
a few of the most obvious substances in nature, and then 
glance at her absolute perfection as a whole. Let us carefully 
notice the gradation these substances occupy toward each 
other in relation to motion. I will begin at the heaviest mat- 
ter that may first suggest itself to my mind, and leisurely pass 
on, rising higher and still higher, through its various grades, 
up to that which is more and more rarified, subtle and light, 
till we arrive at that which must necessarily possess inherent ELECTRICITY WHAT IS IT? 
5 
motion and therefore living power. The heaviest of gross 
substances in existence is the most difficult to move, and 
hence must be at the greatest possible distance from motion. 
Though there are solid substances heavier than lead, yet I 
choose to begin at this, as the idea I wish to convey is all that 
is worthy of attention in the present argument. Lead, 
then, on account of the density of its particles, is difficult to 
move; were it the heaviest substance in Nature it would take 
its position farther distant from motion than any other sub- 
stance. Rock being more easily moved than lead, takes its 
relative position nearer to motion. In like manner earth is 
more easily moved than rock. Air is more easily moved than 
water. The gaseous fluids are more easily moved than air. 
Electricity is more easily moved than the gaseous fluids. It 
will now be perceived that as we mount the rounds of the 
ladder in the magnificent scale of material substances there is a 
gradual approximation toward motion. Each substance as we 
arise, being more rarefied and lighter than the one below it, is 
of course nearer to motion than its grosser neighbor. And it 
will be perceived by every enlightened mind, that we cannot 
continnually approximate motion, without at last reaching mo- 
tion or that substance to which motion belongs. We have 
now mounted from lead up to Electricity; and though, as we 
rose, we found each successive substance more easily moved 
than the one below it, still we have not as yet found a single 
material substance that possesses inherent motion as its attri- 
bute. Lead, rock, earth and water are moved by impulse. 
Air is moved by rarefaction, and electricity is moved .by the 
positive and negative forces. I am fully sensible that Elec- 
tricity is a fluid most inconceivably subtle, rarefied and fine. 
It is computed to take four million particles of our air to make 
a speck as large as the smallest visible grain of sand, and yet 
Electricity is more than seven hundred thousand times finer 
than air. It is almost unparticled matter and is not only in- 
visible, but so far as we can judge it is imponderable. It can- 
not be seen by our most powerful magnifying instruments. It 
cannot be weighed. A thousand empty Leyden jars, capable 6 
ELECTRICITY WHAT IS IT? 
of containing a gallon each, may be placed upon the nicest 
scale, and most accurately weighed. Then let these be filled 
with Electricity and so far as human sagacity can determine, 
they will weigh no more. Hence, to our perception a thou- 
sand gallons weigh nothing. The velocity with which Elec- 
tricity is propagated is greater than that of any other agent 
with which we are acquainted, light not excepted; for 
while light moves at the rate of one hundred and ninety-two 
million miles in a second, Electricity travels, according to 
Prof. Wheatstone, over a distance of two hundred and eighty- 
eight million miles in a second. This velocity, which is 
sufficient to make the circuit of the earth ten million times in 
a second, is so great that any artificial motion whjch can be 
produced appears to be at rest when compared with it. The 
following table, according to Prof. Althaus, M. D., shows the 
rate at which Electricity, Light, Earth in orbit round the sun, 
Cannon-ball, Greyhound and Race-horse are transmitted: 
Meters in the Second. 
Electricitv 464,000,000 
Light-- 300,000,000 
Earth in Or bit 30,000 
Cannon-ball - 552 
Greyhound.... 25 
Race-horse 25 
As Electricity, in regard to motion and imponderability 
stands upon the poise, being completely balanced by the posi- 
tive and negative forces, that equalize each other so it is easi- 
ly perceived, that if we mount one step higher we must come 
to that substance whose nature it is to move, and the result of 
that motion is thought and power. It is Infinite Mind. This 
Infinite Mind comes in contact with Electricity, gives to it 
motion, arms it with power, and, through this mighty unseen 
agent, moves the Universe, and carries on all the operations 
of Nature whether minute or grand. Mind is, therefore, the 
absolute perfection of all substances in being, and as it 
possesses self-motion as its grand attribute, so it is, in this re- 
spect, exactly the reverse of all other substances, which are, 
of themselves, motionless. Hence mind and its agent, Elec- 
tricity, are both imponderable and invisible. As deity wraps clouds and darkness round about him, and holds back the 
face of his throne, so many do not believe in his existence be- 
cause he is unseen, while all the visible objects of creation are 
to them so many realities. The very reverse of this is true. 
What is seen is not the reality, but is only the manifestation 
of the unseen, which is the reality. Let us look at this point 
for a moment. There is an apple tree, it is plainly seen, but 
is that tree the reality? No; but it is the result of an unseen 
cause, and that unseen cause is the reality. But what was it? 
I reply that it was not even the seed, but the life of that seed 
was the reality, and the unseen life possessed the embodied 
form of the tree. All its colors and shapes were there. By 
coming in contact with the soil and moisture, in a proper tem- 
perature of climate, it was enabled to throw out its own in- 
visible and living form. First, then, the life; next the seed in 
which it dwells; next the trunk of the tree appears, then its 
limbs and branches-its buds, leaves, blossoms and fruit 
again ending in living beauty. It began in life, and in seed or 
life it ended. It performed an electric circle. The tree then 
is nothing more than a visible outshoot-an ultimate of an 
invisible substance which is the reality. 
If we turn to man and investigate the secret stirrings of his 
nature we shall find that he is but an epitome of the Universe. 
The chemical properties of all the various substances in ex- 
istence, and in the most exact proportions, are congregated 
and concentrated in him, and form and constitute the very 
elements of his being. In the composition of his body are in- 
volved all the mineral and vegetable substances of the globe, 
even from the grossest matter, step by step, up to the most 
rarefied and fine. And lastly to finish this masterpiece of 
creation, the brain is invested with a living spirit. This in- 
comprehensible spirit, like an enthroned deity, presides over 
and governs through Electricity, as its agent, all the voluntary 
motions of this organized corporeal being, while its living 
presence, and its involuntary, self-moving powers cause all 
the involuntary functions of life to proceed in their destined 
course. Hence human beings and all animated existences are 
ELECTRICITY WHAT IS IT? 
7 8 
ELECTRICITY WHAT IT DOES. 
subject to the same grand electrical law that pervades the 
Universe, and moves the world under the superintendence ot 
the involuntary powers of the infinite spirit. On this princi- 
ple, it will be plainly perceived that as man is subjected to 
the same common law that pervades the Universe, so Elec- 
tricity is the connecting link between mind and matter. As it 
is co-eternal with spirit or mind, so it is the only substance in 
being that mind can directly touch, or through which it can 
manifest its powers. It is the servant of the mind to obey its 
will and execute its commands. It is through Electricity that 
the mind conveys its impressions and emotions to others, and 
through this same medium receives all its impressions from 
the external world. It is by Electricity that the mind con- 
tracts the muscles, raises the arm and performs all the volun- 
tary motions of this organized body. To bring this before the 
minds of my readers in the most plain and intelligible man- 
ner, I would first remark that the brain is the fountain of the 
nervous system, from whence it sends out its thousands of 
branches to every part of the body. Indeed the brain is but a 
congeries of nerves, and is the immediate residence of the 
living spirit. This spirit or mind is the cause of all motion. 
It wills the arm to rise and immediately the arm obeys the 
mandate. To establish the fact that Electricity is indeed the 
connecting link between mind and body, I would in the first 
place remark that mind cannot come in contact with gross 
matter. My mind can no more directly touch my hand, than 
it can the mountain rock. My mind cannot touch the bones 
of my arm, nor the sinews, the blood vessels, nor the blood 
that moves in them. In proof of this posilion let one hemis- 
phere of the brain receive a paralytic stroke; let the paralysis 
be complete, and one-half of the system will be rendered mo- 
tionless. In this case the mind may will with all its energies 
-may exert all its mental powers, yet the arm will not rise 
nor the foot stir. Yet the bones, sinews, muscles and blood 
vessels are all there, and the blood, as usual, continues to 
flow. Here, then, we have proof the most positive that mind 
can touch none of these ; for what the mind can touch it can move as easily as what the hand can physically touch it can 
move. Now then, it is equally certain my mind can touch 
some matter in my body, otherwise I could never raise my 
arm at all. The question then arises: What is that mysteri- 
ous substance which the mind can touch, as its prime agent by 
which it produces muscular motion? In the light our subject 
now stands, the answer is most simple. It is that very sub- 
stance which was disturbed and deficient in this paralysis, and 
that is the nervous fluid, which is animal Electricity. Mind is 
the only substance in the Universe that possesses inherent 
motion and living power as its primeval efficients. These 
two seem to be inseparable because there can be no manifes- 
tation of power except through motion. Hence mind is the 
first grand moving cause. It is the first link in the magnifi- 
cent chain of existing substances. This mind wills. This 
mental energy, as the creative force, is the second link and 
stirs the nervous force, which is Electricity, this is the third 
link. This Electricity causes the nerve to vibrate, this is the 
fourth link. The vibration of the nerve contracts the fibre of 
the muscle, this is the fifth link. The contraction of the 
muscle raises the bone or the arm, this is the sixth link, and 
the arm raises dead matter, this is the seventh link. So it is 
through a chain of seven links that mind comes in contact 
with dead matter. To be plain, it is mind that touches Elec- 
tricity, Electricity touches nerve, nerve touches muscle, 
muscle touches bone, and bone raises dead matter. It is 
therefore, through this concatenation or chain, link by link, 
that the mind gives motion to, and controls living or dead 
matter. Hence the proof is clear and positive that the mind 
can come in contact with and control the Electricity of the 
body, and collect this subtle agent with fearful power upon 
any substance with which it comes in contact. It is evident 
that the mind holds its residence in the brain, and that it is 
not diffused over the whole system. Were it so, then our 
hands and feet would think, and in case they were amputated 
we should lose part of our minds. If then the mind invested 
with royalty, is enthroned in the brain, and if the mind com- 
ELECTRICITY WHAT IT DOES. 
9 10 
mands the foot to move, or the hand to rise, then it must 
send forth from its presence an agent, as its prime minister, to 
execute this command. This prime minister is Electricity 
(nervous fluid as some called it, for a better understanding) 
which passes from the brain through the nerves as so many 
telegraph wires, to give motion to the extremities. On this 
principle how easy it is to understand the philosophy of palsy 
and all its allied diseases. The nerves as the grand conduc- 
tors of motive power, and the prime minister (Electricity) can- 
not pass the barrier that obstructs its path. I have now 
brought before you the connecting link between mind and 
matter, and through this have shown you the philosophy of 
the contraction of the human muscles through mental energy. 
Having in my mind established the truth, that Electricity, in 
the form of nervous fluid, is indeed the direct and immediate 
agent used by the mind to control material substances, the 
question now presents itself, If the mind continually throws 
off Electricity from the brain by its mental operations, and by 
muscular motion, then how is the supply kept up in the brain 
-through what source is it introduced into the system, and 
how conveyed to the brain ? I answer, through the respira- 
tory organs, and from thence into the blood. In order to 
have a better understandirig of this part of the subject it will 
be necessary for me to explain electrically the philosophy of 
the circulation of the blood. The cause of the circulation of 
the blood is one of the grandest themes that can be presented 
for human contemplation. While investigating this matter it 
will be clearly made to appear how Electricity is gathered 
from the surrounding elements, carried into the system and 
stored up in the brain to feed the mind with impressions. I 
desire it to be understood that I regard Electricity, galvanism, 
magnetism and nervous fluid one and the same thing. 
But before I proceed to notice the philosophy of the circu- 
lation of the blood, and the secretion of the nervous fluid. I 
will first make a few observations in relation to the nerves 
and blood vessels, so that I may be distinctly understood. I 
have already stated that the brain is the fountain of the ner- 
ELECTRO-PHYSIOLOGY. ELECTRO-PHYSIOLOGY. 
11 
yous system, and that both its hemispheres are made up of 
a congeries of nerves, they both pass to the cerebellum, and 
the spinal marrow, continued to the bottom of the trunk. In 
the spinal marrow, which is the grand conductor from the 
brain, is lodged the whole strength of the system. From this 
spinal marrow branch out thirty-two pairs of nerves embrac- 
ing the nerves of motion and those of sensation. From these 
branch out others, and others again from these; and so on 
till they are Spread out over the human system in a net work 
so infinitely fine that we cannot put down the point of a 
needle without feeling it, and we cannot feel unless we touch 
a nerve. In all these nerves there is no blood, (except in the 
neurilema covering these nerves). They contain the electric 
fluid, while the blood is confined to the veins and arteries. I 
am well aware that the blood vessels pass round among the 
convolutions of the brain, and through them the blood freely 
flows to give that mighty organ action, but in the nerves 
themselves there is no blood. They are the residence of the 
living mind, and its prime agent, the electric fluid. The air 
we breathe, as to its component parts is computed to consist 
of twenty-one parts of oxygen and seventy-nine parts nitro- 
gen. Electricity, as a universal agent, pervades the entire at- 
mosphere. We cannot turn the electric machine in any dry 
spot on earth without collecting it. Oxygen is that element 
which sustains flame and animal life. Neither can exist a 
moment without it, while nitrogen, on the contrary, just as 
suddenly extinguishes both. The atmosphere in this com- 
pound state is taken into the lungs. The oxygen and Elec- 
tricity, having a strong affinity for moisture, instantly rush to. 
the blood, while the nitrogen is disengaged and expired. The 
blood being oxydized and electrified, instantly assumes a 
bright cherry-red appearance, and by this energizing process 
has become purified and prepared for circulation. The lungs, 
and the blood they contain, are both rendered electrically 
positive, and we know that in electrical science two positives 
resist each other and fly apart. Hence the lungs resist the 
blood and force it into the left ventricle of the heart. The 12 
ELECTRO-PHYSIOLOGY. 
valve closes and the blood passes into the arteries. Hence 
arterial blood is of a bright cherry-red hue. It is by the posi- 
tive force of electric action, propelled through every possible 
ramification of the arterial system till all its thousands of 
minute capillary vessels are charged. Along these arteries 
and all their thousands of capillary branches are laid nerves 
of involuntary motion, but no nerves attend the veins. Why 
is this so? Why is it that nerves like so many telegraphic 
wires, are laid along the whole arterial system in all its 
minute ramifications, but that none are laid along the venous 
system? I press this question-Why do nerves attend the 
arteries, while none attend the veins? I answer, that nerves 
are laid along the arteries to receive the electric charge from 
the positive blood that rolls in them, which charge the blood 
received from the air inspired by the lungs. But as the 
venous blood is negative, it has no electricity to throw off, and 
hence needs no attendant nerves to receive a charge for that 
very electric charge, which the blood receives from each in- 
spiration at the lungs is thrown off into the nerves, as it rolls 
through its destined channels in crimson streams. At the 
capillaries of the arterial system the last item of the electric 
charge takes its departure from the positive blood, escapes 
into the attendant nerves, through them is instantly conduct- 
ed to the brain, and is there basined up for the use of the 
mind. The arterial blood, having thrown off its electricity as 
above described, assumes a dark-a purplish hue. It enters 
the capillaries of the veins, which are as numerous as those 
of the arteries. The blood is now negative, and as the lungs, 
by new inspirations, are kept in a positive state, so the venous 
blood returns through the right ventricle of the heart to the 
lungs, on the same principle that the negative and positive 
forces rush together. There it is again electrified and oxygen- 
ized, changed to a bright cherry-red color, is again rendered 
positive, and is thus purified and prepared once more for 
arterial circulation. We now clearly perceive that it is elec- 
trically the blood that circulates, and electrically it recedes from 
and returns to the lungs through the two ventricles of the heart. 13 
The heart does not circulate the blood at all. The heart is 
by this subtile force, Electricity, the supreme regulator of this 
sublime and constantly ebbing and flowing ocean of crim- 
son life with all its majestic rivers and frolicking streams, and 
determines with exactness how rapidly the whole shall flow. 
From what I have already offered, it will be clearly perceived 
by every philosophic mind, that the circulating system is in 
reality two distinct systems. The first is the arterial system 
that carries the positive blood, which is, as before stated, of a 
bright cherry-red color, and is ever flowing from the heart to 
the extremities. The second is the venous system, that 
carries the negative blood, which is of a purple color, and is 
ever flowing from the extremities to the heart. To these two 
circulating systems, the heart, with its two ventricles and 
valves, is exactly adapted so as to keep the positive and nega- 
tive blood apart, and to regulate the motion of both, and it 
will be perceived that the nervous system most perfectly cor- 
responds with what I have said of the circulating system. I 
mean that nerves of involuntry motion are laid along the ar- 
teries to receive the charge of Electricity from the positive 
blood that flows in them. These views of the circulation of 
the blood are strengthened by the fact that the blood contains 
a certain portion of iron ; and we well know that iron be- 
comes a magnet only by induction, and loses its magnetic 
power the moment the electric current passes from it. Hence 
the blood, through the agency of the iron it contains, can easi- 
ly assume a positive state at the instant it receives the electric 
charge from the air at the lungs. It can then pass into the 
arteries and throws off its electricity into the nerves and again 
assumes a negative state, as it enters the veins. I now con- 
sider Electro-Physiology philosophically and irresistably proved. 
The position which many assume, that the heart circulates 
the blood on the hydraulic or vacuum principle, is utterly un- 
founded in truth. The heart and lungs both receive their 
motions from the cerebellum, which is the fountain and origin 
of organic life and involuntary motion. Hence the involun- 
tary motion. Hence the involuntary nerves from the cere- 
ELECTRO-PHYSIOLOGY. 14 
bellum throb the heart and heave the lungs, and the electrici- 
ty contained in the air they inspire circulates the blood and 
supplies the brain with nervous fluid. For the proof that the 
involuntary nerves from the cerebellum throb the heart and 
heave the lungs, insert, for instance, a surgical knife between 
the joints of the vertebrae and cut off the spinal marrow below 
the lungs and heart-all the parts below this incision will be 
so completely paralyzed and voluntary motion and sensation 
so entirely destroyed that we have no power to move the 
limbs by any volition we may exert, nor have we any power to 
feel, though the paralyzed limbs should be broken with a 
hammer or burned with fire. Yet in these immovable and 
unfeeling parts the blood continues to circulate as usual 
through the veins and arteries. It is evident therefore that 
the blood is not made to flow by any power whatever invest- 
ed in the cerebellum, but, as before stated, by the positive 
and negative forces of that electricity contained in the air in- 
spired by the lungs. But let the spinal marrow be severed 
above the lungs and heart, and both will be instantly paralyzed 
and cease their motions, yet the last inspiration taken in by 
the lungs will cause the blood to circulate till it floods the 
right ventricle of the heart with venous blood, and empties 
the left ventricle of its arterial blood. The lungs merely act 
as a double force pump to bring in the surrounding atmos- 
phere, extract from it a proper supply of the vital principle to 
feed the bright and burning flame of life, and to reject and 
expire the dregs unfit for that end. This is perhaps as much 
as it is necessary to say in relation to Electro-Physiology, and 
now I shall turn to the philosophy of disease and shah be as 
brief as possible. It is generally supposed by medical men 
that there are innumerable causes for the various diseases in 
existence, and that one disease may have many causes to pro- 
duce it. But I contend that the immediate cause is the dis- 
turbing of the "vital force" of the body. There is in every 
human being a certain amount of Electricity. This is the 
most subtle and fine material in the body-is the power that 
moves the blood, and is the agent by which the mind, through 
ELECTRO-PHYSIOLOGY. ELECTRO-PATHOLOGY. 
15 
the nerves, contracts the muscles, and produces motion. And 
as all the convulsions and operations in nature and in man 
invariably begin in the invisible and finest substances in 
being, and end in the most gross, so Electricity, when equal- 
ized throughout the nervous system, the blood will also be 
equalized in its circulation, and the natural result is health. 
But when it is thrown out of balance the blood will in like 
manner be disturbed, and the natural result is disease, and 
the disease will be severe or mild in the same ratio as the vital 
force is more or less disturbed. The blood becomes impure 
through a disturbed circulation. It can be purified by no 
other means than the taking in at the lungs oxygen and elec- 
tricity, and the elimination of effete matter from the body only 
through the excretory organs. The blood in the body must 
every few minutes be passed through the lungs to be purified 
and preserved from putrefaction. If the circulation, in any 
part of the body be obstructed, or thrown out of balance so 
that the blood cannot pay its timely visit to the lungs, it must 
become extravasted and impure. If in any part of the body 
there is a complete obstruction, so that the blood is entirely 
retained, then inflammation, ulceration and suppuration ensue 
(necremia). 
I now turn directly to the subject and call your attention for 
a few moments to the Philosophy of Disease. The operations 
of the mind and the nervous system of man have been too 
much overlooked by medical men, who have paid great atten- 
tion to the blood and more gross and solid parts of the body. 
But it is evident that disease begins by a disturbance of the 
electricity in the cells of the central nervous system which 
preside over all the grosser parts of the body. From thence 
it is communicated to the blood, from the blood to the flesh, 
from the flesh to the bones, which are the last affected. It 
begins in the finest and ends in the grossest particles of the 
system (and not in the grossest which ends in the finest as 
usually taught by medical men). The unseen are the starting 
powers of disease. Though there is but one grand cause of 
disease-which is the electricity of the system thrown out of 16 
balance. Yet there are various things by which this may be 
done. Specific virus of any kind may be introduced into the 
blood primarily, which re-acts upon the nervous system, there- 
by deranging the equilibrium of its electrical forces. This 
equilibrium of the electrical forces may be disturbed also by 
mental and physical impressions. Thousands of our race 
have been swept from the light of life to the darkness of 
death by various diseases caused by mental impressions. 
Misfortune and distress have fallen upon many a father, a 
mother, and many a child. They have shut up in their 
bosoms all these mental woes and brooded over their misfor- 
tunes in secret, and concealed grief. Melancholy took posses- 
sion of the heart, the vital force was disturbed, the system 
was thrown out of balance, disease was engendered, and they 
went to their graves. A man accumulates a fortune of two 
hundred thousand dollars. He loses one-half ot it, and is 
hurled into distress ; he broods over his misfortune; the mind 
is in trouble; it shrinks back on itself; the electricity of the 
system, this servant of the mind, leaves the extremities and 
approaches the brain, the thorne of the master, the blood 
follows on ; the excitement becomes great, and he believes he 
shall die in an almshouse. He is a monomaniac. Suppose 
he now loses the other half of his fortune, and his mind will 
become involved in still greater distress ; this mental action 
calls an increased quantity of electricity, that is of nervous 
fluid, to the brain, and an equal amount of blood follows on. 
He is now entirely deranged, and his feet are incessantly cold, 
because the brain has robbed them of their due proportion 
of the vital force. Now, do you not perceive that if these 
forces are dispersed from the brain and the circulation 
equalized, that his reason will be restored? There is not 
too much of blood and electricity in the system, but there 
may be too much in any one department of the system. We 
will now suppose him once more in possession of his reason. 
Now bring him intelligence that his darling child is crushed 
to atoms. The mind suddenly shrinks back on itself; the 
electric or nervous fluid instantly darts to the brain, like a 
ELECTRO-PATHOLOGY. ELECTRO-PATHOLOGY. 
17 
faithful servant to see what distresses the master. The blood 
as suddenly follows the servant. The storm rages and a fit 
ensues. Let the news be more startling, and the congregated 
forces will in the same ratio be increased upon the brain to the 
rupturing of a blood vessel, and he drops a corpse. So we 
perceive that in all these instances there is only one cause of 
disease. The only difference we have witnessed in the effects 
produced, was a gradual increased action, occasioned by an 
increased power of the same cause, even from the slightest 
excitement, gradually up to that fearful point where it produc- 
ed instant death. I have thus far confined my remarks to 
effects produced upon the brain, by the electro-nervous fluid 
and blood, which were called there by the various emotions, 
passions, and sensations of the mind. But that these forces 
should invade the territory of the brain, and produce such 
results, depends however, upon the condition of the brain, as 
to its comparative physical strength with the other parts of the 
system. In this view of the subject, had the same misfortunes 
as to loss of property above stated, been visited upon this 
same individual when his brain was firm, a different disease 
would have been the result. Suppose that his brain had been 
strong physically, but that his lungs had been weak. Now let 
the same misfortune befall him. His mind again shrinks back 
on itself; the electro-nervous force, as before, starts for the 
brain but is not allowed to enter this palace of the soul's 
dwelling place, as it is in an electro-positive condition and it 
stops at the lungs, which being in an electro-negative condi- 
tion-the weakest and nearest post. The blood follows on in 
pursuit of the leader and takes up its abode with him. Infla- 
mation sets in, tubercles form, ulceration takes place, and death 
follows. It was consumption. But suppose that both the 
brain and lungs had been in an electro-positive condition; that 
the stomach had been by some trivial cause rendered electro- 
negatively. The electro-nervous fluid and blood, would, in 
this case have gone there and taken possession of that part. 
Inflammation, ulceration with morbid secretions would have 
ensued; the digestive organs weakened, and dyspepsia with all 18 
ELECTRO-PATHOLOGY. 
its horrors of horrors, would have been the result. If the 
liver had been the weaker spot, the same forces under the 
same circumstances would have congregated there, and pro- 
duced Hepatitis, or some other morbid condition of this organ. 
If the stomach and liver had both been strong, and the spine 
weak, it would have been a spinal complaint. If all these 
had been in an electro-positive state and the kidneys in a neg- 
ative one electrically-the, same forces would have produced 
a disease of the kidneys. And if all in the regions of the 
brain and trunk had been in an electro-positive condition, and 
a mere blow had been inflicted upon the hip, knee, or any 
part of the lower limbs, rendering the part negative, the elec- 
tro-nervous force and the attendant blood would have gone 
there and produced inflamation, suppuration and ulceration. 
So we see that the same cause may produce any of these 
diseases. As to the character of the disease, it merely takes 
its name from the organ or place in the body where it may 
locate itself. Hence diseases differ one from another only as 
the various diseased organs, their motions, secretions and func- 
tions may differ. But the producing cause of all these dis- 
eases is one and the same. It is the unequalized electro-ner- 
vous fluid of the body producing an electro-positive condition 
in one part of the body, while in another there is a negative 
condition. When this electro-nervous fluid is equalized 
throughout the system it is the cause of health, for it controls 
the blood and every particle and molecule of the body, and 
when thrown out of balance it is the cause of disease. Hence 
the minister of health and sickness, of life and death, is with- 
in us, and is one and the same principle. As electricity is the 
efficient cause of all convulsions, calms and storms in nature, 
and all the pleasing or awful phenomena that transpire in 
earth, air or ocean, or in the vegetable or mineral kingdom, so 
as man is but an epitome of the universe, it is electricity in 
the form of nervous fluid that produces all the commotions, 
calms and storms in his own system. The fact is, that the 
electro-nervous fluid when disturbed at the extremities (periph- 
eries) always retires inward, and locates itself upon the ELECTRO-PATHOLOGY. 
19 
weakest organ, the blood follows and disease is the result. A 
sudden exposure to a damp air, sitting upon a cold rock, lying 
upon the damp ground and suddenly falling asleep, or sitting 
with the back to a current of air while in a prespiration; any 
of these may at times disturb the electro-nervous force, and 
arouse this disease-causing power from its slumberings. Or 
the nervous force may be disturbed by eating or drinking too 
much of unwholesome or poisonous substances, or by eating 
or drinking too little of wholesome substances ; and all these 
act as correspondent diseases produced. The whole elec- 
tricity of the nerves, is about one hundred per cent. Fifty 
per cent is under the control of the involuntary powers of the 
mind, and belongs to the involuntary nerves. Now, if the 
whole fifty per cent of either of these forces, which when 
equalized, is health, should be suddenly collected upon any 
one organ, it would be destruction to that organ. Hence it 
will be understood that all diseases originating under mental 
impressions are produced by fifty per cent of voluntary 
nervous force. But those diseases, originating under physical 
impressions are produced by the fifty per cent of involuntary 
nervous forces, and over which the mind has no control. If 
either of these electro-nervous forces, to a certain amount, 
should be called to a muscle, it would be pain. If called to a 
still greater extent it would be inflammation, and if the 
whole fifty per cent were called there it would be inflamma- 
tion and the ultimate and absolute destruction of the muscle. 
There are three kinds of pain: First, a pain produced by 
negative electricity, which attracts the blood to the spot, and 
is ever attended with congestion and inflammation. Sec- 
ond, a pain produced by positive electricity, which repels the 
blood, and, though equally severe, is never attended with in- 
flammation. Third, a pain produced by the confused mix- 
ture of these two electrical forces, and consists of a burning 
itching or prickly sensation, and is often very distressing. I 
do not mean to say that a cure can be effected in all cases 
by equalizing the electro-nervous force if there be any organ- 
ic destruction of the parts of any vital organ of the body. 20 
ELECTRO-THERAPEUTICS. 
Consumption could not be cured if the lungs were ulcerated ; 
sight could not be restored if the optic nerve were destroyed. 
In these cases, even medical remedies, it must be granted, 
would be of no avail, because there is no foundation on which 
to build. In all I have said, or may say in regard to cures, I 
have reference only to curable cases. Nor do I mean to be 
understood that medicines should not be used as addenda to 
the administration of electricity in the cure of disease. It re- 
quires medicines to co-operate with it. As diseases are pro- 
duced through mental and physical impressions, so they are 
cured by these agencies. 
Medicines produce a physical impression on the system, 
but never heals a disease. If a disease was ever healed 
through medicines, it was healed by the same sanative power 
as though it had been done by an equal diffusion throughout 
the system of the electro-vital force. This is evident because 
the sanative power is in the individual, and not in the medi- 
cine. Medicines and salutary mental impressions only call 
the electro-vital nervous fluid to the right spot in the system, 
so as to enable it to do its work. Let me explain: You enter 
a garden and see a peach tree with its fruit not fully grown, 
but so heavily laden that one of its limbs is partially split 
from the trunk. The gardener is aware that if it be neglected 
till the fruit grows to maturity the limb will be entirely parted 
from the tree and die. He carefully raises the limb till the 
split closes and puts under it a prop to keep it to its place. 
He winds canvass around the wounded part, and over this he 
puts tar. Now there is certainly no healing principle in the 
prop; there is none in the canvass; nor is there any in the tar. 
The prop merely sustains the weight of the limb, and keeps 
the split together; the canvass is wound around it to prevent 
the tar from entering the split; and the tar was applied to 
protect the whole from the air, rains, and external elements; 
while the tree is left to the inherent operations of its own san- 
ative principles, it must heal itself. So the healing prin- 
ciple is in man as much as it is in the tree. The 
healing principle in the tree is the invisible electro-vegetative ELECTRO-THERAPEUTICS. 
21 
fluid. This moves and equalizes the sap, and the sap affects 
the wood. It is the electricity of the tree that does the work, 
and this electricity is under the control of its vegetable life. 
So the healing principle in man is the invisible electro-nervous 
fluid. This moves and equalizes the blood, and the blood 
affects the flesh. It is the electricity of the system under the 
control of the mind. Admitting it to be electricity, or what I 
call the electro-nervous fluid of the system, it is then easily 
seen that there is no healing principle in medicine, per se. It 
may now be asked, if medicine has no healing property in it 
then how can an emetic remove impurities from the stomach 
by vomiting the patient? In reply I would state that it had 
never done so-I mean that the emetic is not the vomiting 
principle. The vomiting principle is in the man. . It is the 
electricity of the system-the electro-nervous fluid of the 
brain-is the vomiting principle. Let us understand the phi- 
losophy of this : emetics, whether mineral or vegetable, possess 
those peculiar chemical properties that cause immense secre- 
tions. This effect is the whole secret of their power. It pro- 
duces secretions most freely from the glands of the stomach, 
from the mucous membrane ot the lungs, from the glands of 
the trachea and from the glands of the mouth and tongue. 
The parts being robbed of their moisture by this artificial 
action, the electricity of the nerves follows it, because elec- 
tricity has a strong affinity for moisture. When a sufficiency 
of electric force is drawn from the brain, and the blood, hav- 
ing in the same ratio followed it, the face becomes pale, and 
expansion and collapse of the stomach takes place, and vom- 
iting is the result. After all I have said of medicine and 
its operations, it may yet be supposed that it possesses some 
healing principle, and that the emetic does vomit the patient. 
Why, then, will it not vomit a deafiman? The answer is, 
because the vital force is gone, and the emetic is powerless. 
But why will it not vomit the man when he is worn out with 
disease, and near his end? I answer, because the vital force 
in the man, on which vomiting depends, is wasted, and as it 
does not exist in medicine, so the emetic, in its chemical and 22 
ELECTRO-PHYSICS. 
mechanical action, having no material to work upon or call to 
its aid, is powerless. I will pursue the subject a little farther 
and see whether the vomiting principle is in the medicine or 
in the patient. Suppose while eating strawberries and cream 
you tell a sensitive lady that she has taken into the stomach a 
worm or fly, she stops eating, and in a minute she vomits 
freely. How is this, when she has swallowed, in fact, neither 
worm nor fly? I answer, the vomiting principle is in the 
brain. She believed that she had taken into the stomach 
what was stated; she kept her attention steadily and most 
intently upon it, and the mind threw the electro-nervous force 
from the brain to the stomach, until there was a sufficient 
quantity to produce alternate relaxation and contraction of the 
muscular walls of the stomach, and cause vomiting. Now, 
the vomiting in this case, and in the case of the emetic, was 
occasioned by one and the same thing, and that is by the 
electro-nervous fluid. The only difference in the two cases is 
that the emetic called it from the brain by a physical impres- 
sion, and the mind forced it from the brain by a mental im- 
pression. I have been thus particular upon the action and 
operation of emetics, as this one hint is sufficient to lead any 
reflecting mind to a correct impression of the relation in 
which medicines stand to the human system. They are the 
mere props and supports of some weak part, to aid nature in 
restoring herself to health and vigor. 
Perhaps there is no department of medicine in which there 
is such strides being made in the way of research as in elec- 
tro-therapeutics. Electricity belongs properly to the edu- 
cated physician alone, and yet, there are drawn to it more 
charlatans and ignorance of the land than any other medici- 
nal agent known to the medical world. But we are glad to 
state that much has already been accomplished by the more 
enlightened members of the medical profession, and its power 
to relieve and cure disease is acknowledged by all progressive 
minds, and its foundations are too broad and fixed to be over- 
thrown by ignorant and non-progressive men in the medical 
profession. Electricity, generated by means of two metals ELECTRO-PHYSICS. 
23 
and some acid solution, which acts on these metals, is called 
chemical electricity. Only one of the metals is acted on by the 
acid. To illustrate, a strip of copper and zinc united by a 
wire and immersed in a weak acid solution, constitutes a gal- 
vanic battery. The zinc is the metal which generates the 
electricity, and the copper serves as a conductor. The elec- 
tricity flows from the zinc to the copper through the liquid, 
and from the copper to the zinc through the wire, thus mak- 
ing a complete circle." To sum up, multum in parvo, the 
result of the immersion of a plate of zinc and a plate of cop- 
per (connected by a wire) in a vessel of dilute sulphuric acid 
is : the water, HO2, is decomposed and gives off its hydrogen, 
the zinc is dissolved and unites with the oxygen of the water, 
forming ZnO, which oxide is redissolved by the acid ZnSO4, 
at the same time the galvanic current is set free. The zinc 
plate, or the metal acted upon is called the positive plate, and 
the copper or the metal not acted upon, the negative plate. 
The wire connected with the negative plate is called the posi- 
tive pole, because the current flows from that direction, and 
the wire from the positive plate is called the negative pole. 
Chemical electricity is most conveniently generated by the re- 
actions which take place between two metals and some acid 
solution. As a matter of economy, zinc is the metal selected 
to be acted upon by the acid, which generates the electric 
force, the other metals acting merely as conductors. Many 
new batteries have been devised, but all are based on the 
same general chemical principles, that chemical action is at- 
tended by the evolution of electricity. We give a few illus- 
trations of simple and compound galvanic circles, to aid the 
reader to understand the terms used. In the formation of the 
galvanic circle two metals are necessary, viz: copper and zinc 
plates placed in dilute acid and connected by a wire. Elec- 
tric action takes place on the surface of the zinc, covered by 
the liquid. Positive electricity is generated at the zinc plate, 
and flows through the liquid to the copper, from the copper 
through the wires to the zinc, thus a constant current is es- 
tablished over the wires. The terminal end of the wire lead- 24 
ELECTRO-PHYSIC'S. 
ing from the zinc plate is called the negative pole or electrode, 
and the one leading from the copper is called the positive 
electrode. When the wires are separated the circle is broken 
and the current ceases to flow. 
The compound galvanic circle or galvanic battery is com- 
posed of two or more simple cells or circles. They are so 
connected that the copper of one cup is joined to the zinc of 
the next, and so on through the whole series. 
This is the principle upon which all galvanic batteries are 
made which gives the simple galvanic current-the continuous 
current. 
FARADIC OR INDUCED CURRENTS. 
A current flowing from a battery cell, or cells made to 
traverse a wire which is coiled around and made to inclose a 
bar of soft iron causes a momentary current in the coil at each 
break of the circuit, infinitely more intense though less in 
quantity than that generated in the battery, and flowing in the 
opposite direction to that of the generating force, and if over 
this coil be wound another coil of finer wire, entirely insulated 
from the first, another current is caused to flow, at the break 
of the current, in an opposite direction, as that of the current 
from the first coil, and in the opposite direction to that of the 
battery, and so on, we may superimpose, coil over coil, and in 
each instance we induce a new current in the last added coil, 
infinitely more intense than the proceeding. Another effect of 
this experiment is, that the bar of soft iron, sometimes called 
the core, becomes magnetized during the continuance of the 
generating force, and loses its magnetism at each discontin- 
uance of the current. The magnetism varies in strength in 
the direct ratio of the turns of the wire around the core. In 
other words the longer the wire of the coil the more intensely 
magnetic the core becomes, and the more intense the cur- 
rent induced, although the resistence of a long coil is mani- 
festly greater than a short one. We must remember that we 
have an extra force generating the induced current, and that 
is the magnetism set free from the core, and, as I have ex- 
plained, the greater the magnetic force the more intense the BATTERIES. 
25 
current induced, but in order to make the magnetic force 
strong, the number of turns around the core must be many. 
So the resistance to the primary battery current becomes 
greater at every additional length of wire added to the coil, 
still the power added to the magnet more than makes up for 
it, for it is in reality to the core parting with electricity, when 
it is momentarily stored, that we are indebted for the current 
induced at the break of the circuit. These facts were dis- 
covered through the researches and experiments of Faraday, 
and after him, currents generated in this way are called fara- 
dic, and the use of this current, faradization. Much of what 
is useful in electrical science owes its origin to the facts just 
stated, and in therapeutics the induced current is used at 
least as often as the primary or galvanic. It is evident that 
upon the principles laid down, almost an endless variety of 
electro-magnetic machines might be constructed, differing from 
each other in quantity, intensity, density, magnetic force, etc. 
An induction machine must consist essentially of six parts : 
1. The primary source of power, i. e., the galvanic cell or 
cells, which must be reliable, sufficiently constant, and must 
generate a current suitable in quantity and intensity to the 
size and length of wire composing the primary coil. 
2. The poll or helix, which must be made in proportion to 
the quantity of the inducing current. The larger the wire the 
larger the quantity of current. 
3. The next or secondary coil, and over this may be wound 
other coils in the same manner. 
4. The core, made either of a bar of soft iron, or better 
still, of a bundle of soft iron wires. 
5. The graduator, generally a non-magnetic metalic tube of 
a sufficient size to enclose, but move freely upon the core. 
When this tube entirely covers the core the current induced 
in the coil is almost at zero, and as it is withdrawn, the mag- 
netism from the core is exercised upon the coils in propor- 
tion as the core is uncovered by the withdrawal of this tube, 
as only the exposed part of the magnet acts in inducing. 
6. The rheotome. This is generally an armature of soft. 26 
BATTERIES. 
iron attached to a spring and included in the circuit, and as 
the current is closed the core becomes magnetic, attracts the 
armature towards it, and away from its connection in the cir- 
cuit ; this act breaking the circuit, causes the momentary in- 
duced current to flow, but it also demagnetizes the core, and 
the spring asserts its power and draws the armature back into 
its connection in the circuit, and the core becomes magnetized 
once more, and so the armature is made to move backwards 
and forwards, making and breaking the current automatically. 
The frequency of the interruptions can be regulated with pre- 
cision by the mechanical arrangements attached to this arma- 
ture. 
These with the stand or case may be called the essentials of 
a faradic battery. I will describe a few batteries which 
appears to me the best apparatus that is now obtainable, so 
that from what I have already written the physician will find 
no difficulty in selecting one to suit any definite purpose he 
may have in view. 
The batteries to which I refer are manufactured by Jerome 
Kidder & Co., New York, and McIntosh Galvanic and Faradic 
Battery Co., Chicago, Ill. I have fully tested the genuineness 
of these instruments and have found them to be entirely re- 
liable in all respects and fully up to what is claimed for them. 
The following is a description of the McIntosh combined 
galvanic and faradic battery. This battery is constructed on 
an improved plan. The zinc and carbon plates are arranged 
in couples and securely clamped to hard rubber plates with 
thumb screws. Thus any of the couples can be removed by 
simply loosening a screw. The thumb screws are also used 
for binding posts. By this manner of connecting, the plates 
are brought nearer together than in any other battery, thus 
giving less internal resistance. The cells are made in sections 
of six and a drip cup composed of one solid piece of hard rub- 
ber. By this arrangement one section can be handled, emp- 
tied and cleaned as easily and quickly as one cell. It also 
prevents the liquid from running between the cells, as is the 
case when single cells are used, and danger of breaking as is 27 
the case with glass cells. The drip cup on the side of each 
section of'cells is to receive the zinc and carbon plates when 
removed from the cells. 
BATTERIES. 
r ig. 1 shows the hard rub- 
ber plate of a section (on the 
under surface of which is ce- 
mented a sheet of soft vul- 
canized rubber) and binding 
posts which project through 
the hard and soft rubber and 
screw into the brass piece 
holding the zinc and carbon 
couples. The faradic coil is 
secured on the upper surface 
of the hard rubber plate, and 
has polished hard rubber ends 
and cover. Fig. 2 shows a 
section of six cells and drip 
cup made of one piece ol 
hard vulcanized rubber. The 
drip cup is to receive the zinc 
and carbon couples when not 
in use. The rubber plate on 
which the couples are clamped 
projects over on one side 
enough to cover the cells 
when not in use. The rub- 
ber plate on which the couples are clamped projects over on 
one side enough to cover the cells when the zinc and carbon 
plates are reversed and placed in the drip cup. The under 
side of this projection is covered with soft rubber. When 
the cells are not in use this is clamped over them by means 
of thumb screws and spring bolts, the latter are fastened in 
the bottom of the box near the ends of each cell section 
and projecting above the hard rubber plates to receive the 
thumb screws. By this arrangement the hydrostat is made 
water tight. By the aid of a simple current selector any 
Fig. 2. 
Fig. 1. 28 
number of cells can be used. The faradic coil from which 
the induced current is obtained is securely fastened on one 
of the rubber covers. (See cut.) An extra cell of large size 
is connected to the combined battery, for the purpose of run- 
ning the faradic coil. This renders the battery more perfect 
than any yet offered to the profession. This extra cell gives 
sufficient power for the faradic current, and the operator is 
not obliged to connect and exhaust the current from the gal- 
vanic cells. If greater strength is ever needed in an emer- 
gency than the extra cell gives, the galvanic cell can be con- 
nected with the coil. (See directions.) This combined bat- 
tery gives greater quantity and intensity than any ever offered 
BATTERIES. 
to the profession. It weighs less, occupies less space, and is 
perfectly portable. A battery of twelve cells gives a galvanic 
current of sufficient intensity for a majority of cases the physi- 
cian may be called upon to treat. With eighteen to twenty- 
four cells, a physician has at his command all the strength and 
intensity he will ever require. I would call particular at- 
tention to the cable conducting cord. This cable cord is 
made with spiral copper wires, each surrounding a strong 
thread, and these are twisted in an insulated bundle. The 
tips are securely fastened to a bundle of wires which make 
Fig. 3-MCINTOSH PHYSICIAN'S FARABIC BATTERY. the connection perfect. This feature alone recommends the 
battery to the professsion. McIntosh & Go. furnish each bat- 
tery with or without a faradic coil. When combined with a 
faradic coil a physician has at his command two first class bat- 
teries-a galvanic, giving sufficient quantity and intensity for 
treating any disease, electrolysis, etc., and a faradic giving an 
induced current of sufficient strength and intensity to treat 
any disease where it is indicated. 
fig. 3-m'intosh physician's faradic battery. 
This battery is put up in a neat polished black walnut case, 
seven inches in height and weighs less than six pounds 
charged. All the metal work is nickle plated. It has a hard 
rubber cell and drip cup. First class induction coil, with 
polished hard rubber ends and cover. The coil, binding post 
and rheotome are placed on the upper surface of a polished 
hard rubber plate, the under surface of which is covered with 
soft rubber and also holds the zinc and carbons. When the 
elements are removed from the cells and placed in the drip 
cup, this plate is securely clamped over them, and makes them 
water tight. The connections of the coil with the zinc and 
carbons are permanent. To use this battery it is only neces- 
sary to loosen the thumb screws and raise the elements from 
the drip cup and place in the cell, and the battery will com- 
mence to work at once; connect one end of the connecting 
cords with the binding post and the others with the sponge 
electrode, and it is ready to use. It is very convenient for a 
physician's visiting battery, as it is light and perfectly portable, 
and gives sufficient strength to treat any ordinary case. Price, 
$18.00. 
FIG. 4 EIGHTEEN CELL COMBINED GALVANIC AND FARADIC BATTERY. 
In a polished black walnut case with first class faradic coil, 
polished hard rubber ends and cover, extra large cell to run 
the coil, sponge electrodes, and cable conducting cord. This 
is the most convenient battery for a physician to use, as it 
gives a very intense galvanic current and a faradic current of 
sufficient strength to treat any case. It weighs fifteen pounds 
and is perfectly portable. Price, $52.00. 
BATTERIES. 
29 30 
BATTERIES. 
Fig, 1-EIGHTEEN CELL COMBINED GALVANIC AND EARADIC BATTERY. 
FIG. 5 TWELVE CELL COMBINED GALVANIC AND FARADIC BATTERY 
This style of case and finish is the 
same as the eighteen cell combined 
galvanic and faradic battery, with first 
class faradic coil, polished hard rub- 
ber ends and cover, extra large cell 
to run the coil, electrodes and 
new cable conducting cords. 
This battery gives a gal- 
vanic and faradic current 
of sufficient strength to 
treat any ease. 
We have used this com- 
bined galvanic and faradic battery, and know it to be just what it is represented to be 
in every particular. We desire to recommend such batteries 
to the medical profession as are practical, simple and that will 
not disappoint the physician when his services are most needed 
to relieve suffering and cure disease. Price, $40-00- 
PHYSIOLOGICAL QUALITIES OF ELECTRICITY. 
31 
PHYSIOLOGICAL QUALITIES OF ELECTRICITY. 
"Currents of different qualities have not only different 
characters of sensation, and different effects on muscular 
irritability, as recognized by all who have carefully scrutinized 
in regard to these varied electrical phenomena, but also one 
quality even when so weak in power as not to produce any 
pain, but rather a pleasant sensation, will show flashes of light 
when properly applied, as with large surface of wet sponge 
over the closed eye. 
"Secondary currents produce light to the eye, that is, they 
exercise the function of the optic nerve without producing 
pain, only when the tension of the current is increased to a 
certain degree in ratio *vith the diminished quantity. 
"Another quality of current, even when the current is made 
strong enough to produce pain, will show no light to the eye, 
will not exercise the vital function of the optic nerve. 
"The preceeding facts show conclusively that electricity can 
be varied in quality so as to produce different effects on differ- 
ent vital functions. It must not seem strange to find elec- 
tricity produced in many different qualities to have varied 
effects. 
"There are other facts recognized as true, and which might 
seem stranger still, for it is well known to all chemists that 
the same proportion and kind of atoms may form substances 
so different in their nature as to be recognized as entirely 
different substances. For example, spirits of turpentine and 
oil of bergamot are identical in composition, being composed 
of ten atoms of carbon, and eight of hydrogen, and the differ- 
ence is recognized as merely that of the allotropic condition 32 
PHYSIOLOGICAL QUALITIES OF ELECTRICITY. 
and the arrangement of the atoms. Also light is recognized 
as the effect of vibrations or wave motions in the ether, which 
is everywhere, and the different colors result from the differ- 
ent length of these waves. (See Prof. Draper's chemistry.) 
And yet even the difference in the character of the vibrations, 
or wave lengths of the ether gives a difference in the chemical 
effects, for indeed, it is known to be chiefly the yellow ray 
which causes the absorption of the carbon from the carbonic 
acid gas in the atmosphere into the solid form of a tree by the 
influence of the sunlight falling upon its leaves. And it is the 
indigo ray which is chiefly concerned in causing hydrogen and 
chlorine to unite by passing light through a glass vessel con- 
taining the two gases. 
"Also sound results from vibrations in the atmosphere or 
other media, yet sounds may have differences in pitch, and 
also differences in qualities of tones having the same pitch. 
Its effects are what the spirit of man receives as jarring dis- 
cords, or sweet harmonies, and successions and qualities of 
tones that inspire the emotions of courage and hope, or pro- 
duce solemn and mournful feelings. 
"Considering the fact that mere variations or modifications 
in vibratory or wave motions produce differences in effect, we 
should not think it strange but should rather expect that the 
magnetic influence which excites the electricity in metalic 
helices, for by varying the helices, we vary the medium of vi- 
bratory or wave motions resulting from polarizations, whose 
phenomenon is electricity. 
"It is because the terms quantity and tension, as applied to 
electricity, do not express the real distinction in its qualities, 
that the terms are so generally misunderstood when thus 
used. The term intensity is often misused for power, but the 
difference is as plain as the difference between loudness and 
pitch in regard to sounds. A musical string conditioned for a 
given pitch does not change that pitch by a greater or less 
force of the blow causing it to vibrate-it simply changes its 
loudness. 
"And in regard to electricity, the magnetic force upon the ELECTRO-ALLOTROPIC PHYSIOLOGY. 
33 
helix determines the power or strength of the induced cur- 
rent, but the intensity or tension, that is, quantity, is deter- 
mined, not by the amount of magnetic force upon the helix, 
but by the construction of the helix itself." 
"The uses of different qualities of electricity to cure disease. 
-Exceedingly interesting as far as it can be understood, is 
the manner in which certain qualities of electricity advance 
vital processes, and so aid nature in the cure of disease. In 
examining this subject let us consider the great law of Allo- 
tropism, and (its allied term) Isomerism, the former expressing 
the difference between bodies identical in composition, and 
the latter predicating identity of composition between differ- 
ent substances. Thus, carbon occurs crystalized in octahe- 
drons and other related forms in a state of extreme hardness 
in the diamond, it occurs in hexagonal forms, and the little 
hardness in black lead, and again occurs in a third form, with 
entire softness in lampblack and charcoal. Oxygen exists in 
two allotropic states, in one it is ordinary oxygen, and in the 
other it is ozone, which is called active oxygen, as it more 
readily decomposes many substances. Iron exists in two 
allotropic states, in one of which it simulates the unoxydable 
character of gold or platinum, and in the other state it is com- 
mon iron, being very readily oxydable. Charcoal, plumbago 
and the diamond are only carbon existing in different allo- 
tropic states, causing them to differ as to their specific gravity, 
their conduction of heat and electricity, their power of ab- 
sorbing, reflecting and transmitting light, and also in their re- 
lations to oxygen, for there are varieties of charcoal which 
spontaneously take fire in the air, while the diamond can be 
burned only in pure oxygen. Influences change an element 
from one allotropic condition to another, and new chemical 
changes result therefrom. Sparks of electricity through the air 
change a portion of the oxygen to ozone. Oxygen set free 
from water by the galvanic battery is often in a similar state. 
The indigo ray by itself or existing in light changes chlorine 
from the passive to the active condition, as instanced by its 
causing chlorine and hydrogen to unite with an explosion. 34 
Contact with spongy platinum has the same effect on these 
mixed gases. Pure chlorine gas expanded by heat, condenses 
again on cooling, but expanded by blue and violet light, re- 
tains its expanded bulk permanently. The expansion is not 
more than one-tenth as great when submitted to red rays, 
which shows that it is not the heat of the ray, but the quality 
of the ray itself that causes the expansion. Iron, by a simple 
process, which any one can perform, assumes the nature of 
gold or platinum as far as its oxidable character is concerned, 
and can as readily be thrown back to the nature of common 
iron. Thus, two pieces of iron may be conditioned so as to 
compose the elements of a galvanic battery, one answering to 
the platinum and the other to the zinc. The basis of the 
physiological vital processes are the chemical affinities with 
their allotropic variations, without which there could be no 
contraction of muscle, no action of the brain, no mental wake- 
fulness, nor even could there be sleep, for sleep is a condition 
in which the vital process of recuperation takes place-a 
restoration by means of a particular relation of the chemical 
affinities governed by special allotropic conditions of the ele- 
ments of repair. When the mind has been very active there 
is increased elimination of the products of waste of brain ma- 
terial, principally the oxydized compounds of phosphorous. 
Also, when there has been great muscular activity, there is in- 
creased elimination of the products of muscular waste-urea, 
the oxydized componds of sulphur, carbon, etc. To repair 
the wearing constitution, digestion, which is a regulated chem- 
ical action, takes place within the organs designed for this 
process. But digestion could take place, in a certain degree, 
without the agency of the nervous system, yet it cannot be 
denied that certain nerves preside over that function, for it is 
well known that a genial condition of the mind aids digestion, 
while fear or a depressed state of the nervous system inter- 
feres with nutrition, circulation and digestion. With regard 
to muscular contraction, this law also applies. For though 
motor nerves preside over the contraction of the muscles, yet 
this power of contraction exists in muscular fibre ^causing it 
ELEC'TRO-ALLOTROPIG PHYSIOLOGY. to contract from other external stimuli, independent of and 
without regard to the presiding influence of nerves. In some 
of the lower animals, muscular fibre is distinct, not connected 
with nerves, as in the vorticelli and infusoriae. This inherent 
irritability of muscular fibre is designated by different terms, 
viz: vis vitea, tonic power, vis insitae, vis vitalis, etc. 
"This power of inherent responsive movement of muscular 
fibre, when acted upon by external stimuli, is a vital property 
which belongs to all living animals. Notwithstanding the in- 
herent irritability of muscular fibre, it is still more familiar to 
general knowledge that the nerves, also influenced by the will, 
have the power to cause these contractions. As regards 
mental processes, the will, through the nervous system, to a 
great extent determines how great shall be the action of the 
brain, and therefore, to a certain extent, decides when those 
elements, phosphorous and oxygen, shall possess the allotropic 
condition, giving them affinities which cause them to go into 
that manner of union which determines processes of reason- 
ing and calculation. Also, the will, through the nervous sys- 
tem, determines how great, and of what character shall be 
the action of the muscles and therefore, through the nervous 
system, decides when those elements-sulphur, carbon, hy- 
drogen, nitrogen-oxygen, existing in the organized muscle, 
shall be modified in their allotropic conditions to 'have such 
affinities that their consequent unions contract the muscles, 
yielding urea, creatine, extractives, etc., which, in their further 
changes are resolved to urea, sulphuric and carbonic acids, etc. 
"Now let us make further reference to the substance of the 
nerves of a living body. Blood must be supplied to the 
nerve as one condition of its activity, and human blood con- 
tains iron, which is a substance highly susceptible of allotropic 
changes. Also the medullary substance myaline, or the white 
schwan. which surrounds the central axis or band as previous- 
ly stated, is an albuminoid body, which contains carbon, hy- 
drogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, phosphorous. All these 
exist in different allotropic states. Carbon, as we have seen, 
has three noted differences. The gases in chemical combina- 
ELECTRO-ALLOTROPIC PHYSIOLOGY. 
35 36 
ELECTIVE USE OF ELECTRICITY. 
tions are fluids or solids. Oxygen and nitrogen are the ele- 
ments of nitric acid, and both sulphur and phosphorous exist 
in different allotropic conditions. Oxygen and hydrogen com- 
bined are water, which by admixture readily changes the 
specific gravities, and so varies susceptibilities to rapid or slow 
action. 
"According to R. D. Thompson, the brain contains a pecu- 
liar acid, which he calls cerebric acid, which contains nitrogen 
and phosphorous ; this is mixed with an albuminous substance, 
with an oily acid, the oleophosphoric acid with cholesterine, 
and finally with small quantities of oleine and margarine and 
oleic and margaric acids. Anhydrous oleic acid is hydrogen, 
carbon and oxygen, having the formula C26 H33 03. Anhy- 
drous margaric acid is carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, having 
the formula C34 H33 037. Thus we find that brain and 
nerve substance are composed of elements susceptible of an 
exceedingly great variety of combinations and allotropic ex- 
pressions, capable of being exercised in the various duties 
they have to perform." 
ELECTIVE USE OF CERTAIN RANGES IN THE QUALITIES OF ELECTRICITY. 
"The vibratory movements excited in the molecular par- 
ticles of metalic wires, or in the ether contained in them, 
which movements are called electricity, have differences in 
their physical effects according to the character of those vibra- 
tions, and they are proved to have different physiological 
effects, also vibratory or wave motions in particle of air or of 
ether, giving sound, heat, light and chemical effects, have vast 
differences in their physical and physiological effects, and by 
way of comparison, before going farther, let us consider these : 
Very different effects are produced by merely different charac- 
ters of vibratory or wave motions in the same medium. Long 
waves in the air produce sounds of a low pitch, and short 
waves sounds of a high pitch, and there are waves so short as 
to produce no effect on the human ear. 
"So in regard to the waves in the ether; one character of 
wave will produce heat and not light, another, light and not 
heat; different characters of waves produce the different colors as shown in the spectrum, and still a different character 
of the waves produces certain actinic effects, which are quite 
different from the effects produced by heat. And these differ- 
ent characters of ethereal wave motions are principally differ- 
ences in the rapidity and lengths of the same, the rays of heat 
being produced by waves slower, but of greater amplitude, 
then as the rapidity increases, and the amplitude diminishes, 
we have red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet and 
the actinic rays, which are also invisible. 
"The heat, the colored and the actinic rays, to a certain ex- 
tent, overlap one another in the spectrum ; also different kinds 
of refracting media give different degrees of refrangibility of 
the rays of heat compared to the other color rays-through a 
water prism it is found in the yellow; sulphuric acid it is 
found in the orange; plate glass it is found in the middle of 
the red; flint glass it is found beyond the red. A cell of 
alum intercepts the rays of heat, but allows the light to pass, 
while a cell of iodine dissolved in bisulphide of carbon inter- 
cepts the luminous, but allows the calorific rays to pass. The 
heat rays, if concentrated on a piece of platinum coated with 
platinum black, are accelerated so as to become visible; and 
likewise, rays passed through a solution of sulphate quina, 
and some other substances, are retarded so as to become 
visible-the visibility of the latter is called fluorescence. It is 
exhibited in an aqueous solution of horse chestnut bark, by 
many compounds of uranium ; a decoction of madder mixed 
with alum gives a yellow or orange yellow fluorescence. Light, 
heat and actinism are common to every ray, the difference 
being only proportional; a yellow medium gives most light 
and less actinism (power), while a blue medium gives more 
actinism (power) and less light. Light hinders the germina- 
tion of seeds ; actinism (power in the sun's rays) quickens 
germination. 
"Light effects decomposition of carbonic acid in growing 
plants, which absorb carbon and give off the oxygen. Light and 
actinism, independent of the calorific rays prevent the develop- 
ment of the reproductive organs of plants. The heat rays, 
ELECTIVE USE OF ELECTRICITY. 
37 38 
ELECTIVE USE OF ELECTRICITY. 
corresponding with the extreme red, facilitate the flowering of 
plants and the perfecting of their reproductive principles. 
Many bodies, under peculiar circumstances, are thrown into 
such a state of vibration that they admit light without per- 
ceptible heat, called phosphorescence. Decaying bodies, 
flowers of certain living plants, etc., exhibit this quality. 
Different rays of the spectrum differ as to their power of pro- 
ducing phosphorescence. Electric light produces phosphor- 
escence more actively than the solar rays. Very strange are 
all the foregoing varied effects when we consider that the 
calorific, luminous chemical and phosphorogenic rays are all 
substantially the same in their nature, being each and all pro- 
duced by movements of the ether, those movements differing 
principally in rapidity and degree. The functional activity, 
not only of muscles, but of nerves also, is influenced by cur- 
rents of electricity. And as a motor nerve electrically excited 
causes a muscle to contract, so also as is shown in standard 
works on physiology, regulated electrical excitation of the re- 
spective nerves presiding over the organs of digestion, secre- 
tions, circulation, etc., influences their functional activities. 
Now we should look also for electrical influence over the func- 
tional activities of other organs themselves without regard to 
presiding nerves, just as much as we look for electrical excita- 
tion to influence a muscle directly without regard to its pre- 
siding nerves. It seems that we must recognize this when we 
consider the fact that each element in the organism has its indi- 
vidual activity, which is evident from the comparison of 
vegetable and animal organizations. The independent devel- 
opment of tissues after the evolution of the germ, physiological 
dissections on the living animal, the mode in which poisons 
act, etc. A very important fact to consider is that the differ- 
ent organs of the body have their gradations as to suscepti- 
bilities to different qualities of electricity. An induced current 
on a coil of wire of a certain ratio as to length, thickness, 
number of convolutions, with certain other modifying condi- 
tions, electrically excited, will cause powerful muscular con- 
tractions, but will produce very little light to the eye. Now', ELECTIVE USE OF ELECTRICITY. 
39 
if we arrange another coil of wire so as to yield a current of 
much higher intensity and less quantity, this latter conditioned 
coil being excited in the same manner as in the former case, 
will have less effect on the irritability of muscular tissue, but 
will produce light to the eye, when the current is regulated to 
be so weak as not to produce pain, will, when properly used, 
have a more soothing effect upon the nerves-will better re- 
lieve nervous headache, and cause deeper inspirations by 
properly influencing the medulla oblongata and cevical spine, 
the negative, with large wetted sponge, being the preferable 
electrode on those regions. 
"Now, if another coil, conditioned for considerable greater 
quantity than the first mentioned, but far less intensity, rang- 
ing from A B to A C, in Kidder's improved apparatus, it will 
produce no light whatever to the eye, even when the current 
is strong enough to produce pain. It will not contract the 
muscles so powerfully-it will not so well soothe pains in the 
system, but by its influence, using the positive as the preferable 
pole, it will exercise a remarkable specific effect in restoring to 
their normal condition muscles that are sore from the effects 
of over use and strains and all allied conditions. In this re- 
spect a more special contrast in the differences of these quali- 
ties will be here presented. Placing the negative pole farther 
towards the extremities and using currents of sufficiently high 
intensity and low quantity, graded to the strong muscular 
contracting tendency, as in the current A D, Doctor Kidder's 
improved instrument, a strong power can make the muscles 
sore or lame. Now, using the current from A B or A C with 
light power, and using the positive pole upon the lamed 
muscles, the soreness and lameness will be almost immediate- 
ly cured, when otherwise it would not pass away for a con- 
siderable length of time. These results became known to Dr. 
Kidder first, by many trials upon himself. Inflammatory ex- 
citements, as burns, etc., will be better relieved by the nega- 
tive, using very large surface of sponge, or what is better, 
having the part in water with the negative electrode, and using 
especially currents of high intensity and low quantity as of the 40 
DR. KIDDER & GO.'s ELECTRO-MEDICAL APPARATUS. 
A E of the improved instrument. Further considering this 
subject, we may contrast the two general processes, which are 
the opposite of each other, that take place in the living body. 
One is nutrition of the tissues of the various organs, and the 
other is the functional activity of those organs, which wears 
away the tissues, and they again call for more nourishment, 
without the supply of which their activity would soon cease. 
The assimilation of nourishment in the tissues takes place 
more during the night, while the body is at rest. The rising 
up of the tissues takes place more during the day, when the 
body is active. 
"Now the relations of electricity to these two conditions ap- 
pear to be these: Electrical currents, especially of the in- 
duced order of high intensity and low quantity, act compara- 
tively more in producing functional activity of the various 
organs of the body, though somewhat different range of the 
ratio of quantity and intensity of the current is best adapted 
for the different organs, which is shown by the different ratio 
required to best excite the motor and the visual functions. 
But currents of comparatively lower intensity and a higher 
quantity are the better to produce the allotropic changes that 
bring wearied organs almost immediately to a rested condition. 
In the former case it is better to excite the various organs 
with the negative pole, having the positive more central, to- 
ward the medulla oblongata, while in the latter case it is 
better to use the current in the opposite direction."-Dr. 
Jerome Kidder. 
DR. KIDDER & CO.'S ELECTRO-MEDICAL APPARATUS. 
I shall now describe a few kinds of machines manufactured 
by this much renowned and reliable company-pioneers, as 
they are, in the manufactory of electro-medical apparatus- 
which entitles them to rank first in the confidence of electri- 
cians, when it is known that they only manufacture and send 
out good machines. 
By means of the switch, 5, the second coil can also be 41 
DR. KIDDER & CO.'s ELECTRO-MEDICAL APPARATUS. 
NO. 1-PHYSICIAN'S OFFICE ELECTRO-MEDICAL APPARATUS-Large size, 
having four coils and ten currents. 
thrown into the primary circuit at option. The current from 
any of the ten combinations is brought by the arms 3, 4, to 
the two front screw cups to which the conductors are attached. 
By moving the lever 6 to the right or left, the currents are 
momentarily reversed in their direction, and the pole that feels 
the strongest by changing when in the hands is always the 
negative. 
It is a polished walnut case with brass bound corners, and 
drawer underneath the helix. Size of case, 10J inches long, 
9 wide, 7| deep. The brass works are nickle plated. Price, 
including handles, $50.00. Veneered rosewood case, bound 
and ornamented with German silver. Price $57.00. 
No. 2, is a four coil apparatus, producing ten currents of elec- 
tricity of compact form with an upright stopper battery con- 
stantly ready for use many weeks without any attention. The 
coil box stands upright in one end of the case where it is 
hinged. By springs underneath the hinges that fasten the coil 
box to the case, the battery is connected to operate the coils 42 
DR. KIDDER & CO.'s ELECTRO-MEDICAL APPARATUS. 
when turned down to a horizontal position, as seen in the cut. 
If ever desired, the coil box can 
be detached, and connected with 
any other battery by the two 
screw cups on the back part. 
This machine is about 6 inches 
long, 3| wide, 6 inches deep, and 
has a metallic handle on the lid 
for carrying. It costs as much if 
not more to put 
the qualities of 
the ten currents 
in small machines 
as in large ones. 
This battery (No. 4) has three coils, and six variations of 
NO. 2-FOUR CELL APPARATUS-Price $27.00. 
NO. 4-OFFICE AND FAMILY MACHINE-Shown without lid. the qualities of the currents, and is operated by one open 
battery, which is for weeks and months constantly ready for 
use without changing the fluid, and a bottle accompanies, into 
which the fluid can be poured whenever desired. Price, with 
switch arranged to use the second coil in the primary circuit 
when desired, $20.00. Price without switch, $10.00. 
Dr. Jerome Kidder's 
electro-medical apparatus 
(No. 5, the lid not shown) 
has four differently con- 
ditioned coils, arranged to 
be used in various combi- 
nations producing ten dif- 
ferent qualities of electri- 
city. Patented in the 
United States, England 
and France. All the ad- 
vanced scientific practi- 
tioners use and recom- 
mend Dr. Kidder's im- 
proved apparatus, because of the genuine modifications of 
electricity developed on the differently conducted coils, and 
the means which command their perfect operation. Price, 
with hydrostat tip battery, $27.00; with open battery, $24.00. 
SPECIAL ELECTRO-THERAPEUTICS. 
43 
SPECIAL ELECTRO-THERAPEUTICS. 
All the manifestations seen in the organic and inorganic 
world are understood by scholars as being the result of force. 
The lines of which radiate in all directions, the difference of 
result is but the product of the same force acting through a 
different agency and differently conditioned. In the ultimate 
analysis we reach simplicity of cause and unity of force. But 
back of all this working energy of nature there exists an in- 
finite and all permeating power, which creates, directs and 44 
controls these mysterious phenomena which we look upon 
in awe and wonder as they exhibit themselves in nature. 
What electricity is per se is incomprehensible to us. We can 
only watch its activities through the realms of nature. But 
how ever subtle and incomprehensible it may be to us, we are 
well convinced that it is the important factor, essential to the 
growth, development and vitalizing principle upon which life 
depends. It is conceded by men of superior medical knowl- 
edge that there are many diseases which cannot be cured by 
medicine alone, but when administered with electricity are 
cured in a very short time. The more this is studied, the clearer 
will be seen the value of electricity as a therapeutic agent. 
The strength of the electrical current to be used in the 
treatment of disease is not definitely fixed by any electrician. 
If the required dose of drugs taken into the stomach is still 
in a state of uncertainty, is it anything to be wondered at that 
the dose of electricity necessary to be administered in any 
given case cannot with any positive degree of accuracy be al- 
ways determined ; at least no absolute rule for the guidance 
of the profession can be given, leaving that to be discovered 
by individual experience, remembering it is always better to 
give too small a dose than too large a one, and that the ques- 
tion of dose is not how much a patient will bear, but how 
little it will cure. The frequency and duration of treatment, 
I would also leave an open question. But in the cases here- 
after related the notes generally, (not invariably) contain a full 
account of these, from which we may glean a proximate idea 
as to how frequently it is necessary to repeat the dose and 
also the length of the sittings ordinarily required. By such 
careful study of each individual case is the only way by which 
we can ever hope to make electro-therapeutics an exact 
branch of medical science. 
Before I begin a classification of special diseases, their 
symptomatology and treatment, it behooves me to give the 
statements of some of the authors in the medical profession, 
whose opinions of medical topics are received as true through- 
out the civilized world. These men, when they discover a 
SPECIAL ELECTRO-THERAPEUTICS. SPECIAL ELECTRO-THERAPEUTICS. 
45 
fact in the arcana of nature speak boldly in its defense with- 
out fear or favor. The following defenders of truth in medi- 
cal science have come to the front, who are advocating the 
use of electricity as a medical agent for the cure of disease. 
Golding Bird says : "I feel most anxious to press the employ- 
ment of electricity upon the practising physician, and urging 
him to have recourse to it as a rational, but fallible remedy, 
and not regard it as one expected or capable of effecting im- 
possibilities (it is to be looked upon and used in a rational 
manner as we would administer other potent remedies). 
Neither should a cure of a disease for which it is applied be 
anticipated in a miraculously short space of time." 
Prof. Francis E. Anstie, M. D., London, England, says: "I 
am now fully able to speak with far greater assurance of the 
positive value of electricity as a therapeutic remedy. I shall 
make bold to say that nothing but the general ignorance of the 
facts can account for the extraordinary supineness of the 
mass of English physicians with regard to this question." 
Dr. Hammon, of New York, says: "Many of our American 
physicians know almost nothing of the great benefits to be 
gained by this agent, and have a groundless scepticism of all 
that is said in its favor, being ignorant of all its principles." 
Prof. Bartholow says : "In morbid states involving sensi- 
bility, the power to relieve is the property of the galvanic cur- 
rent." 
Dr. Curtis says: "There is no fact in therapeutics better 
verified than the power of a low tension galvanic current to 
relieve pain. Galvanism will relieve pain independently of its 
effect on the cause of pain. In fact most pain remedies act 
independently of the cause. It must be, however, that when 
pain, like sciatica, depends upon disease of the nerve itself 
that the galvanic current acts more or less by catalysis, upon 
the cause of the pain in the relief of the disease." 
Dr. Wilson Phillips, of England, says: "That it has been 
demonstrated by actual experiment that the electrical current 
can be used as a substitute for nerve force. He severed the 
pneumogastric nerve of a rabbit after it had eaten some 46 
SPECIAL ELECTRO-THERAPEUTICS. 
parsley, and after the death of the animal the contents of the 
stomach were examined and found undigested. A similar ex- 
periment was made upon another rabbit, but a current of 
galvanism was passed along the nerve and continued for 
twenty-four hours, breathing continued as long as the current 
was kept up. The animal was killed, and the stomach ex- 
amined, the parsley was completely digested, proving beyond 
a doubt that electricity supplied nerve force." 
It seems to be conclusive that after presenting the state- 
ments of such eminent authority, that a mere novice in medi- 
cine would see the intrinsic value of electricity as a medicinal 
agent. When such men as Hammon, Bartholow, Anstie, 
Wilson Phillips, Rosinthal, Tipton, Duchenne, Butler and 
Rockwell, whose statements are identical upon any one point 
in medicine, they must be regarded as being true and founded 
in fact. INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. 
Inflammation forms the principal part of so many diseases 
that to determine its nature is an object of the first importance. 
Inflammation is known by phenomena peculiar to itself, viz: 
heat, pain, redness, swelling and loss of function. It may be 
observed that the nearer the seat of inflammation approaches 
to the brain, lungs and stomach, the more considerable is the 
fever, and greater the danger. Inflammations of the head, we 
shall find are the more dangerous the nearer they approach 
the brain ; and inflammations of the trunk the nearer they 
approach the lungs and stomach. Inflammation of the oesopha- 
gus, occasions a greater degree of fever and is more dangerous 
than inflammation of the fauces; and inflammation of the 
duodenum than inflammation of the colon. Inflammations 
of the extremities are less dangerous than those of either the 
head or trunk, etc. Wherever there is fixed pain with de- 
rangement of function, and fever, we have reason to believe 
that local inflammation is present, which we cannot doubt if 
the pulse is hard. The arterial blood vessels possessing trans- 
verse muscular fibres, the effect of unusual action must be, 
that they embrace their contents more forcibly, and conse- 
quently feel harder, and the difference between a strong pulse 
and a hard pulse seems to arise from the artery in the latter 
case never being wholly relaxed, while in the strong pulse, 48 
INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. 
however powerful the contractions may be during the systole, 
we have reason to believe that there is a complete relaxation 
in the diastole, the time at which it strikes the finger. In the 
case of the hard pulse, the end being to propel the blood into 
and through the debilitated capillaries of the inflamed part, 
the arteries in the neighborhood of these vessels, the better to 
effect this end, seem forcibly to embrace their contents, al- 
though in a less degree during the diastole; and at length the 
whole arterial system is affected in the same way, so that 
however debilitated the circulation becomes, while the in- 
flammation lasts the hardness of the pulse is still remarkable, 
and by this means we may detect inflammation when there is 
no other symptom to guide us. The foregoing symptoms not 
only leave no room to doubt the presence of inflammation, 
but also point out its seat. When we know the seat of the 
pain, as we know that of the different viscera, we conjecture 
which is affected ; but when we, at the same time, observe 
what function is affected the matter is generally placed be- 
yond a doubt. Thus, if the patient inform us that the pain is 
in the chest, we suspect the lungs to be the seat of the in- 
flammation, but if, at the same time he labors under cough 
difficulty of breathing and rust colored sputa, no other func- 
tion being more deranged than is usual, in the same degree of 
fever, we no longer hesitate in pronouncing the disease to be 
inflammation of the lungs. In like manner, when the patient 
tells us that the pain is in the region of the stomach, and he 
is distressed with thirst and incessant vomiting, we know he 
labors under inflammation of the stomach; and so on. 
But the manner in which we judge of the seat of the in- 
flammation is not always so simple as in these cases, for it 
often happens from the sympathy of parts, that although the 
inflammation is confined to one organ, the pain and even de- 
rangement of function extends to others. Thus, in inflamma- 
tion of the kidneys, pain is often felt in the stomach, and its 
functions are often as much deranged as those of the inflamed 
part. Nay, a pain is often felt in a distant part, while there is 
no pain whatever referred to the part affected. In inflamma- INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. 
49 
tion of the liver, for example, the pain is sometimes confined 
to the shoulder. It also sometimes happens that the function 
of neighboring parts are more obviously deranged than the 
part affected. The patient is often affected with dysponea 
and cough, or with vomiting, or with hiccup, when on dissec- 
tion it is found that the liver alone was the seat of inflamma- 
tion. In such cases it is often very difficult to precisely de- 
termine its seat; sometimes we shall find it is impossible, but 
fortunately it is not always necessary, and a person well ac- 
quainted with the symptoms of the inflammation will never 
find himself at a loss to determine the seat of the inflamma- 
tion with all the accuracy that is requisite in practice ; for al- 
though neither the pain nor leison of function is always ob- 
served in the part affected, yet both the one and the other are 
always the same or similar when the same part is affected, at 
least in the same degree, and in the affection of no other part 
does the same combination of symptoms occur. Thus, some 
difficulty of breathing, sickness at stomach, or hiccup, with 
pain in the right shoulder, and a hard and frequent pulse, as 
certainly denote inflammation of the liver as if the pain were 
referred to this organ. Inflammation terminates by resolu- 
tion, suppuration, or gangrene. The local symptoms indicat- 
ing the resolution of internal inflammation, are the gradual 
abatement of the pain, and the restoration of the function of 
the inflamed part. When suppuration takes place, the pain, 
for the most part, also abates. It is sometimes kept up by 
the distension which the collection of pus occasions. As in 
external inflammations, the throbbing often becomes more re- 
markable during suppuration, or supervenes where it had not 
previously been perceived. The patient also feels a sense of 
weight where the collection of matter is considerable, and if 
the part is not very deeply seated, fluctuation may be per- 
ceived through the integuments. The only local symptoms 
which indicates the termination of internal inflamation by 
gangrene, except the gangrene by destroying some consider- 
able vessel occasions hemorrhage, is the abatement of pain. 
When the pain and derangement of function are unusually 50 
INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. 
obstinate, we have reason to fear suppuration ; when unusu- 
ally violent, mortification. We shall find that our judgment 
in this respect is influenced by the nature of the part affected, 
some of the internal organs, the stomach and intestines for 
example, being more liable to gangrene; others, as the lungs 
and liver, to suppuration. But in ascertaining the tendency of 
internal inflammations, as well as the manner in which they 
are actually terminating, we trust more to the general than the 
local symptoms. When the fever is moderate, and yields 
readily to the means employed, we may hope for resolution. 
During this termination the fever abates with the local symp- 
toms, and with them disappears. When the febrile symptoms, 
though not very considerable, are obstinate, and either yield 
little to the remedies employed, or soon suffer a new exacer- 
bation, we have reason to fear suppuration, especially if the 
inflammation has its seat in those organs which are most liable 
to this termination. 
When suppuration begins, the pulse gradually loses its 
hardness, but continues more frequent than natural, and at 
the same time more or less of a cold stage is formed, the chills 
often continuing or recurring for many hours or even days, 
sometimes followed by hectic fever. It is enough here to ob- 
serve that it is a fever consisting of evening exacerbations, and 
morning sweats which never bring complete or permanent re- 
lief. If the abscess, instead of healing, continues to form 
matter, especially if the discharge is of an unavoidable kind, 
this fever continues till the patient gradually sinks under it. 
In this way internal suppurations may prove fatal, or they 
may destroy life more suddenly by destroying some of the 
vital organs, or laying open some of the larger blood vessels, 
or by the abscess bursting into the cavity of the lungs and oc- 
casioning suffocation. 
When in the inflammation, the febrile, as well as the local 
symptoms are unusually violent, and yield little to the means 
employed, we dread mortification, especially if the inflamma- 
tion has its seat in the parts most liable to this termination. 
As soon as gangrene takes place, the pulse loses its hardness, 51 
and becomes very feeble, frequent, and often irregular. The 
debility is extreme, and the surface bedewed with partial cold, 
clammy sweats. So sudden and complete in many cases is 
the relief from pain when mortification supervenes, that 
the patient, for a short time, often believes himself well. A 
person acquainted with the nature of his disease, however, 
knows that he has but a few hours to live, which is soon ap- 
parent by the rapidly increasing debility. "But such is the 
tranquility of this period, that many, being made aware of 
their situation, have made their wills, for unless the inflamma- 
tion has its seat in the brain it is unusual for coma or delirium 
to supervene." Mortification may take place without a cessa- 
tion of pain. When the mortification is confined to a small 
portion of the inflamed part, the pain may continue to the last. 
OF SOME OF THE GAUSES OF INFLAMMATION. 
AH parts of the body, if we except a very few, the cuticle, 
nails, hardest part of the teeth, and hair,'are subject to in- 
flammation. The strong, vigorous and plethoric are most 
liable to it. A peculiar strength and vigor of constitution in- 
deed seems independently of piethoria to dispose to this dis- 
ease. Too full a diet, particularly too free use of fermented 
liquors may be regarded as the chief predisposing cause of 
such diseases. All causes which check habitual discharges 
whether artificial or natural, excretion by the skin, and all 
causes which considerably increase the force of the circula- 
tion, predispose^ to inflammation, and if applied suddenly and 
to a great degree, may act as exciting causes. It is to be 
recollected that the effects of any temperature are not pro- 
portioned to its degree only, but to that, and the difference be- 
tween it and the previous temperature are apt to excite disease 
of an inflammatory character. We shall omit giving the treat- 
ment of inflammation, until we come to notice special diseases 
under this heading. 
INFLAMMATORY DISEASES PNEUMONIA. 
PNEUMONIA. 
Under this classification I shall give a view of Pleuro and 52 
INFLAMMATORY DISEASES-PNEUMONIA. 
Typhoid Pneumonia, as they appear quite frequently as modi- 
fied forms of simple pneumonia during its progress. Simple 
pneumonia is met with most frequently during the winter and 
spring months. In some localities it is a very common dis- 
ease, in others it is seldom met with. It is mosf rife in locali- 
ties exposed to north and east winds, as on the prairies of 
Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, and in the great west and 
southwest. 
Symptoms-In the majority of cases the disease is preceded 
for a day or two by uneasiness referred to the thorax, dullness 
and languor, occasional sighing and more or less chilly sensa- 
tions, alternating with hot flashes ; the breathing is quick and 
hurried, a hacking cough, the pulse more frequent than 
natural, and the temperature is increased. But in general, 
however, this disease makes its attack in a less ambiguous 
way. Usually a severe pain and cough with much difficulty 
of breathing, and a full, hard and frequent pulse are often the 
first symptoms. The difficulty of breathing, the most common 
symptom of pneumonia, is more short, frequent and difficult 
as the disease advances, numbering from 30 to 50 respirations 
per minute. 
"Upon auscultation we find that the vesicular murmur is 
replaced by the crepitant rhoncus, yet there is no bronchial 
sound, and no dullness on percussion. As the disease pro- 
gresses day by day, for three or four days, the crepitant rhon- 
cus disappears and is replaced by a mucous rhoncus. Per- 
cussion gives increasing dullness over that part of the lungs 
involved in the inflammation, which condition is that of red 
hepatization of the lungs." 
Such are in fact an enumeration of all the objective symp- 
toms of pneumonia, which are less complicated than those of 
many other diseases. The pain is either acute, obtuse or ab- 
sent-if of the first the pleura is involved in the inflammation 
and the violence of the pain preventing a full inspiration ren- 
dering the breathing short and quick, where the pain is dull 
or absent, it is oppressed and laborious accompanied with 
anxiety and a sense of weight about the precordia. The pain is greatest during inspiration, and generally greater when the 
patient is in some particular posture. Sometimes it is great- 
est when he lies on the side affected, sometimes the contrary. 
In many cases he is easiest on the back or breast, and very 
often the erect posture is necessary. The pain in different 
cases has its seat in all the different parts of the chest. It is a 
belief among the vulgar that the pain in pneumonia is always 
in the left side, and it is a common error not to regard the 
case as pneumonia unless the pain be in the side. But in this 
they are in error, for the pain, however, is very frequently 
felt under the sternum, the clavicle, the spine, or the scapula. 
The pain, like the difficulty of breathing, is most felt in par- 
ticular postures, which are different in different cases. In 
most cases it is fixed; sometimes it shoots in different direc- 
tions; sometimes it only shifts its place from the side to the 
clavicle, scapula, or spine, which has been regarded as a 
favorable symptom. The kind and degree of the pain is not 
less various than its seat. Sometimes it is exquisitely acute 
and during inspiration almost intolerable, only differing in its 
greater severity, from the neuralgic affection called "stitch in 
the side." When there is inflammation of the parenchyma of 
the lungs attended with such acute pain, the complication is 
known as 
INFLAMMATORY DISEASES PNEUMONIA. 
53 
PLEURO-PNEUMONIA. 
Of this, Prof. Scudder, M. D., says: "The symptoms of 
pleuro-pneumonia differ from pneumonia proper in little more 
than the development of pain, and consequent increased dif- 
ficulty of respiration." In other instances the pain is not felt 
at all, and the practitioner is left to discover the nature of the 
disease by other symptoms. Cough is a very constant, and 
when the pain is severe, a very distressing attendant on all in- 
flammations of the thoracic viscera. In some cases it is dry 
and constant hacking; in others, attended with an opaque 
mucus, the sputa is tenacious and globular and of a rusty 
tinge. When discharged into a vessel it runs together and 
becomes so tenacious that the vessel may be inverted without 
removing it. Authors consider the rusty sputa as pathogno- 54 
INFLAMMATORY DISEASES PNEUMONIA. 
monic of pneumonia. Although the cough may be dry at the 
commencement of the disease, it rarely continues so only for 
a few days, then the expectoration becomes more copious. It 
is an observation as old as Celsus that when there is no ex- 
pectoration in pneumonia the prognosis is bad. The matter 
spit up being greenish, of a dark brown color, or thin and acrid 
so as to excoriate the epiglotis, or sanious and fetid is very un- 
favorable. A bland, copious, free, white or yellowish expec- 
toration of a thick consistence is the most favorable. It has 
been an observation from the infancy of medicine, that much 
rattling in the lungs before the matter about to be expectorated 
is brought up is unfavorable. Upon the whole, the greater 
relief the expectoration brings, the better is the prognosis. If, 
on the other hand, the expectoration has been scanty, or ab- 
sent from the beginning, and still more if it fails during the 
progress of the disease, and what little is expectorated brings 
no relief, we dread suppuration, or gangrene. Suppuration is 
to be dreaded when the expectoration is scanty, or absent; 
gangrene, when the matter coughed up is livid and sanious. 
Such are the local symptoms of pneumonia; but no combina- 
tion of these constitutes pneumonia without the presence of 
fever. The fever often shows itself as early as any of the local 
symptoms, and the latter are never present for any consider- 
able length of time without being attended by the former. The 
range of temperature is never very high, being about one 
hundred and three, and rarely above one hundred and five 
degrees (105°), which continues at this until about the fifth or 
sixth day, and then it commences to decline until it reaches 
the plane of health on the ninth or tenth day. If we except 
the difficulty of breathing and cough we shall find no symp- 
tom of pneumonia so constant as a frequent, strong and hard 
pulse. The pulse, as in other inflammations, at the com- 
mencement, is usually frequent, strong and hard, arrest of se- 
cretion, skin dry and hot, appetite impaired, tongue coated 
white, thirst and restlessness. In short, all the symptoms of 
inflammation are superadded to the foregoing. Resolution is 
the only favorable termination of pneumonia, and is generally INFLAMMATORY DISEASES-PNEUMONIA. 
55 
attended with a copious expectoration. It appears a contra- 
diction in terms to say that the termination is by resolution 
when the matter expectorated is evidently purulent. It has 
long been taken for granted that the formation of pus is al- 
ways attended with the destruction of parts, so that the word 
implies not only the formation of pus but also the ulceration 
which frequently attends it. If we except a free expectora- 
tion, no evacuation more frequently attends the favorable ter- 
mination of pneumonia than a flow of sweat; any degree of 
general moisture appearing on the skin is favorable ; a sweat 
seldom fails to bring relief, and if it be universal and copious 
often carries off the disease-a sweat that brings no relief is 
to be considered as unfavorable. We have reason to suppose 
that suppuration will take place, if signs of resolution do not 
show themselves in five or six days. That suppuration has 
actually begun we know from frequent irregular shiverings 
following the symptoms enumerated without any manifest 
cause; from the pain being mitigated or removed, while the 
difficulty of breathing continues; from the pulse becoming 
fuller, softer, either slower or more frequent; from the cheeks 
and lips looking red, and from an increase of thirst and fever 
in the evening. Upon the whole, however, the ceasing of the 
pain, or the pain being changed into a sense of weight with- 
out any of the evacuations, which it was observed above, 
frequently attend resolution, while the cough, dysponea and 
fever still continue, the pulse losing its hardness and the fever 
assuming the form of hectic, leave no room to doubt the 
presence of an abscess in the lungs. When the abscess is 
large, and bursts into the substance of the lungs it often pro- 
duces immediate death. 
When the matter is discharged into the cavity of the chest 
the disease has been termed empyemia; the matter falls down 
upon the diaphram, when the patient is in the erect position, 
occasioning a sense of weight in the lower part of the chest. 
The difficulty of breathing, (now greatly increased by lying 
down, especially on the back), cough and hectic fever con- 
tinues, and gradually, exhausts the strength. In the empy- 56 
emia we may often perceive the fluctuation of the matter in 
the cavity of the thorax. When the abscess is small its 
bursting into the substance of the lungs does not occasion suf- 
focation, but purulent expectoration; and ulcer of the lungs is 
generally the consequence, and consumption succeeds, which 
ends in death. 
The termination of pneumonia in gangrene (which is very 
rare) is always immediately fatal. The tendency to gangrene 
is known from the unusual violence and obstinacy of the 
symptoms. When gangrene takes place the pain ceases with- 
out any of the salutary evacuations above mentioned; the 
countenance becomes pale, the pulse still more feeble and in- 
termitting, cold clammy sweats appear on different parts of 
the body, hiccup, loss of sight, and general stupor supervenes 
and the patient soon expires. The fatal terminations of 
pneumonia are generally preceded by an evident increase of 
the whole, or part of the symptoms. The cough is more dis- 
tressing; the matter expectorated mixed with blood, or 
brought up with greater difficulty, either owing to the bronchia 
being clogged by the quantity of viscid fluid poured into them, 
or the increasing debility. Upon the whole, the less difficult 
the breathing, the less severe the cough, the more copious and 
free the expectoration, and the greater relief it brings, the more 
regular and firm, and the less frequent and hard the pulse, 
and the less the strength is reduced, the better is the prognosis. 
INFLAMMATORY DISEASES PNEUMONIA. 
This disease has been known by various names, but at 
present it is known as winter fever or typhoid pneumonia. 
If pneumonia has been improperly treated, or the patient has 
been neglected by any means, or at the time of the attack he 
was feeble in health, the disease is likely to take on a typhoid 
type. In this the inflammation goes on, but is of a lower 
grade with exudation of plastic lymph into the capillary spaces 
and into the air cells. This is the stage of red hepatization 
and if it continues for a few days, the molecular integrity of 
the parenchyma of the lungs is interfered with to that extent 
that gray hepatization is developed. If this condition of the 
TYPHOID-PNEUMONIA. INFLAMMATORY DISEASES PNEUMONIA TREATMENT. 
57 
lungs is allowed to progress on unchecked, the exudation be- 
comes converted into pus, this is extravasted and in time an 
abscess forms. The pulse is feeble and frequent, heat of sur- 
face very little greater than natural, coldness of the extremities. 
The difficulty of breathing is so urgent where a large portion 
of the lungs is involved, that the patient has to have the head 
and shoulders raised, cough with wheezing, and rattling in 
the chest, with expectoration. Pain in the side, dullness on 
percussion, the crepitant rhoncus is absent, the sounds of the 
mucous rhoncus is unusually distinct, the bowels tender and 
tympanitic, with a tendency to diarrhea. The disease may be 
protracted for days, or weeks, and the patient may die with 
consumption. 
TREATMENT. 
In the first stage of pneumonia proper I have adopted 
the following course of treatment, which gives better results 
than any other with which I am acquainted. In subduing 
the inflammation, removing capillary stasis of blood in 
the lungs, and causing the disease to pass off by resolution. 
First by the administration of electricity. I use either the 
galvanic current of McIntosh's battery, or the A B current of 
Jerome Kidder's electro medical machine. The patient is to 
place his feet into a vessel containing warm salt water with 
the negative pole of the battery. The positive pole is to be 
passed over that part of the lungs in which the inflammation 
is located. These applications ought to be made every three 
or four hours, and continued for fifteen or twenty minutes at 
each sitting, until the disease seems to be yielding to the treat- 
ment given, after which one or two sittings of fifteen or twen- 
ty minutes each will suffice. After the disease has progressed 
for several days, and the patient becomes much exhausted, 
the poles should be reversed, viz: positive to the feet and 
negative over the lung inflamed. The following I administer 
to aid the electrical treatment to arrest the inflammatory pro- 
cess going on in the parenchyma of the lung. If there is a fre- 
quent, hard and full pulse with pleuritic pain, indicative of 58 
INFLAMMATORY DISEASES PNEUMONIA TREATMENT. 
pleuro pneumonia, the following I have found to be attended 
with good results : 
9.-Norwood's Tr. Veratrum 5SS- 
F. Ex. Bryonia gtts xvi. 
Aquea 3 ij. 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful every two hours until the pulse is re- 
duced in frequency and hardness. 
If the cough is very distressing: 
ty.-F. Ex. Ipecac gtts xx. 
F. Ex. Droseria gtts xx. 
Tr. Balm of Gilead Buds gss. 
Glycerine Ai- 
Aquea •- ^ss. 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful every two hours. 
A mush poultice may be advantageous at this stage of the disease, but 
as the disease goes on day by day and symptoms of asthenia show 
themselves, all poultices of every kind are positively contra-indicated. 
We come now to the most important stage of pneumonia. 
You will remember that veratrum is the remedy for the fre- 
quent, hard, and full pulse, indicating sthenic inflammation. 
But when veratrum has for any reason failed to abort the dis- 
ease during the first stage, or if you have been called too late to 
receive its full therapeutic power and you find dullness on per- 
cussion, bronchial respiration, extreme dysponea, rust colored 
tenacious sputa, which indicates the presence of red hepatiza- 
tion ; all sedatives of every kind should be discontinued, for 
already arterial ischemia and over distension of the veins have 
set in, a state of things which can only be increased by car- 
diac sedatives. In red hepatization of the lungs there are no 
remedies more direct to increase absorption and to relieve the 
engorged lung than sanguinaria and hydrochlorate ammonia. 
These remedies in small doses and frequently repeated, will 
relieve the dysponea, render the sputa more free and less 
viscid, which will ameliorate all the symptoms. 
9.-Nitrate Sanguinaria A gray. 
Aquea gij. 
Glycerine Ab 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful every two hours. 
9.-Hydrochlorate Ammonia grs xxiv. 
Aquea Ab- 
Syrup Prunus Virginica Aj. 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful every two hours alternating with the 
Sanguinaria; and as the symptoms commence to yield 
lengthen the time for giving the medicine. 
After the symptoms have yielded to the above remedies, INFLAMMATORY DISEASES PNEUMONIA TREATMENT. 
59 
and the patient is much prostrated, phosphorous in some 
form with tonics and nutrients are very important adjuncts in 
this condition, and the administration of sanguinaria and am- 
monia should be omitted. 
In the treatment of typhoid-pneumonia great care should 
be taken to avoid all harsh and active depletory measures. 
We should always remember our motto, " Vires vitalis sus- 
tenere" and use means that will not exhaust nor interfere with 
the vital force in its battle to remove disease and hold the 
physiological processes in tact. 
Electrical Treatment-The galvanic current of medium 
strength should be prescribed by applying the positive pole to 
the cervical region of the spinal column, and the negative pole 
over the stomach, and coxyx wet with warm salt water 
for twenty or thirty minutes two or three times a day. Should 
there be much dysponea, and pain in the lungs, the positive 
pole may be applied to the lungs and the negative to the feet 
for ten or fifteen minutes at each sitting. 
Medical Treatment-It is evident that there are two forces 
at work in typhoid-pneumonia, both at the same time-de- 
structive and sepsis. To meet and overcome these two forces 
requires two classes of medicinal agents, viz: constructives 
and antiseptics. The first, to build up and renew the tissues 
as rapidly as they are being devitalized. The second to de- 
stroy or modify sepsis of the blood, so that the building up 
process may go on without being impeded. 
The following compound has, in my hands, done all I could 
wish for: 
ty.-Comp. Tr. Cinchonia 3jjss- 
Syrup Prunus gss. 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful in a little sweetened water every two 
hours. 
Phosphorous in the form of syrup hypophosphites compound 
I have found to be a remedy par excellence. When the follow- 
ing indications present themselves for its use; feeble and fre- 
quent respirations, feeble and frequent pulse, doughy and 
opaque appearance of the skin, cold extremities, free flow of 
pale urine of low specific gravity, looseness and tympanitic 60 
GROUP. 
condition of the bowels. Fellow's or Silley's hypophosphites is 
the preparation I use, in teaspoonful doses every four hours to 
an adult, or the tincture of phosphorous in some cases is 
preferable in small doses. This is the great constructive agent 
when combined with proper food. Arnica is another reme- 
dy that is worthy of being noticed. Scudder says, "It is a 
specific stimulant to the spinal nervous system, and will be 
found useful where there is want of innervation from this, 
feeble respiratory power, difficulty of sleeping from impeded 
respiration, evidences of impaired spinal innervation. Re- 
cently it has been employed in the treatment of pneumonia 
with good results." Baptissa is the remedy where there is 
sepsis marked by fullness of mucous membranes, tongue and 
fauces, moist, pasty fur on tongue. We give hydrochloric 
acid when there is a deep red beefy tongue, and redness of 
the mucous surfaces with sordes on the teeth. Other reme- 
dies equally valuable will suggest themselves to the physician 
when conditions arise requiring their use; eucalyptus, bella- 
dona, arsenicum, and alcoholic stimulents. These remedies 
are to be selected and prescribed in such doses as the judg- 
ment of the physician may seem to understand the relation 
which they sustain as to the nature of the leisons for which 
they are administered. The diet should be sustaining and 
composed largely of heat producing articles of food, so as to 
supply elements of combustion. 
INFLAMMATORY AFFECTIONS OF THE LARYNX AND 
TRACHEA-CROUP. 
We may divide this disease into three forms, viz: Mucous, 
Pseudo-Membraneous and Spasmodic croup. The first form 
is the most common, embracing^earl^ three-fourths of the 
cases met with. In it the basic consists in an inflamma- 
tion of the mucous membrane lining the larynx, with an irri- 
tation of the intrinsic larnygeal muscles, causing partial steno- 
sis of the larynx, as a result of which the metalic, hoarse 
ringing cough, and whistling breathing are present. The ac- CROUP. 
61 
cumulation of mucus, as a product of inflammation of the 
mucous membrane of the larynx seems to be in excess, known 
by the muco-rhoncus heard on auscultation. There is dif- 
ficult breathing, slight febrile symptoms, pulse full and fre- 
quent, and arrest of secretion. Usually there is a remission 
in the morning, but all the symptoms are increased in severi- 
ty towards evening. The child throws back its head and 
grasps at the neck, as though to remove some foreign sub- 
stance from the throat. If these symptoms continue for a few 
hours or a few days, the blood becomes so highly charged 
with carbonic acid gas, that the patient dies from asphyxia. 
Pseudo-membranous croup is the most fatal disease that 
can afflict us during the period of childhood. In this we find 
that there are more important structures of the larynx involved 
than in the former ; which is found to consist in an inflamma- 
tion, both of the mucous membrane and deeper structures of 
the larynx, with an active irritation of the intrinsic laryngeal 
muscles as well; causing partial stenosis, and the exudation of 
fibrous material upon the mucous membrane of the larynx 
and trachea, which still lessens the calibre of the already con- 
tracted larynx. This is to be considered the basic leison of 
croup, and all other phenomena which may arise are but out- 
growth of this condition, and when we direct our remedies to 
the removal of the basic leison our patient recovers. 
All the prodromal symptoms become more ominous from 
hour to hour, and day to day. There is great difficulty in 
breathing, the panting child throws itself forcibly backwards, 
respiration ceases for a moment, the face is cyanotic, the hands 
are clenched convulsively but after a few seconds the air labori- 
ously enters the larynx with a whistling sound, and the patient 
seems a little easier, until a new attack begins. These attacks 
are probably due to spasm of the glottis produced as a re- 
flexed action from the inflSfhmation. In this stage the stridu- 
lous respiration is often heard in an adjoining room. The 
croupy cough becomes less frequent with the increased 
loss of voice. The restlessness is greatly augmented. The 
terrified eyes of the patient plead for help, and this condition 62 
GROUP TREATMENT. 
is interrupted only by short periods of slumber, during which 
the saw-like laryngeal whistling sound reaches its greatest in- 
tensity. In many, cases pseudo-membranous shreds and tubes 
are expelled, and this is to be regarded as a diagnostic sign of 
true croup. Great improvement for a time seems to follow 
after their expulsion. But no faith should be placed in such 
remissions, as these cases, with few exceptions, terminate un- 
favorably. The temperature of the body is not unusually 
high at any time. The pulse is full, strong and frequent. 
But as the disease progresses the originally strong pulse be- 
comes progressively weaker-often irregular and intermittent 
in the last stages, while the cyanosis increases in the same 
ratio as oxidation of the blood diminishes from the 
want of air into the lungs. The face, hands and feet are 
covered with cold perspiration. Finally, in consequence of 
deficient oxidation of the blood, and carbonic acid poisoning, 
the child becomes comatose, eyelids are half closed, respira- 
tions artificial, the stenotic sound becomes weaker, the lips 
and under the finger nails assume a deeper cyanotic hue, and 
the child dies in an asphyxiated state. 
Spasmodic croup is a milder form than either of the others. 
It is not attended with fever, or inflammation, but with irrita- 
tion of the mucous membrane of the larynx, sufficient to ex- 
cite muscular contraction of the larynx. This irritation may 
extend to the bronchial tubes. While the dysponea is prin- 
cipally owing to contraction of the laryngeal muscles, it may 
to a certain extent depend upon contraction of the bronchial 
tubes. This form of croup almost invariably terminates 
favorably. 
Medical Treatment-The objects we wish to accomplish in 
treatment are first, to relax the intrinsic laryngeal muscles 
which will remove the stenotic condition of the larynx, and 
give better respiration. Second, to lessen inflammatory ac- 
tion of the larynx and deplete the engorged blood vessels of 
the part, so as to prevent fibrinous exudations on the mucous 
membrane of the larynx. There is one thing we should re- 
member, in order to be successful practitioners, that isr every GROUP-TREATMENT. 
63 
disease has a basic leison, and we must know what it is, where 
it is, and how to remove it. So in croup ; it has a basic 
leison, which is an inflammation of the larynx, with irritation 
of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles, causing partial stenosis, 
which I have already referred to in a former part of this work. 
This condition is what we have to meet and remove with our 
remedies, that our patients may recover. The following will, 
if properly administered, accomplish all that may be hoped 
for by any class of remedies. But for this purpose they must 
be used in small and frequently repeated doses, so as to pro- 
duce relaxation and sedation of the part. If the inflamma- 
tion is of a sthenic character, and has involved the deeper 
structures of the larynx with full and strong pulse : 
ty.-Norwood's Tr. Veratrum gtts x. 
F. Ex. Aconite gtts v. 
F. Ex. Phytolacca - gtts xvi. 
Aquea gij. 
M. Sig.-Of this, a teaspoonful every one or two hours, 
which should be continued as long as the symptoms 
indicate a sthenic condition. 
Sanguinaria is a remedy that is extolled very highly in the 
treatment of croup. Dr. Payne, of Philadelphia, says of it: 
"The sanguinaria is one of the most valuable remedies known 
in the treatment of pseudo-membranous croup. It has proved 
as much of a specific for that disease as quinine has for ague. 
I have seen it used in a great number of cases and have never 
known a single failure. It should be made into an acetic 
syrup by adding ten grains of sanguinaria to four ounces of 
vinegar; steep, and add one ounce of sugar to form a syrup." 
Dr. Winterburn sayst "In these cases of croup, if the face is 
livid and swollen, the lips blue, and the dysponea extreme, 
sanguinaria will cure, but if the face is pale, the lips and ex- 
tremities cold, the pulse feeble, and the breathing, difficult al- 
though considerable, yet not intense, it will fail." The indica- 
tions for sanguinaria are a loose, rattling cough, which becomes 
dry, spasmodic and then croupous, and if sanguinaria be used 
the order is reversed, and from croupous it becomes first, 
merely spasmodic and then catarrhal. I have full confidence 
in this remedy in the treatment of pseudo-membranous croup 64 
ACUTE RHEUMATISM. 
when the indications show themselves for its use. I prescribe 
it in the following manner : 
IA-Acetous Syrup Sanguinaria (10 grains to 4 oz.) gij. 
F. Ex. Arum Tryphillum 5j- 
M. Sig.-Of this, a teaspoonful every hour, alternating with 
the other mixture. 
These remedies should be continued until the disease yields; 
the dose to be varied in size and frequency, as the case seems 
to require. During the progress of the disease, if the patient is 
threatened with immediate asphyxia from the accumulated 
mucus in the larynx, trachea and bronchia, an emetic should be 
promptly administered, but under no other circumstances is an 
emetic admissable, for repeated efforts at vomiting throw the 
larynx into action, cause increased determination of blood to the 
part, and an increased irritation of the intrinsic laryngeal 
muscles, and consequently greater stenosis of the larynx. 
Electrical Treatment.-Place the feet of the patient, with 
the negative pole, in a basin of warm salt and water. The posi- 
tive pole, the sponge of which, wet with the same, applied to 
the throat, back of neck, and along the spinal column, for half 
an hour, the current of medium strength. Repeat the applica- 
tion every three or four hours until the disease, with all its ac- 
companying symptoms, begins to yield, then less frequent. 
The feet and surface of the body should be kept warm, and 
the temperature of the room raised to 65° or 75° Fahr., which 
is to be maintained by day and night. Nitrate of Potash dis- 
solved in water so as to fill the room with vapor highly 
charged with oxygen, is very essential. 
ACUTE (INFLAMMATORY) RHEUMATISM. 
Acute rheumatism is usually ushered in with feverish dis- 
turbances, followed by the local attack of inflammation about 
one or more of the larger joints-the elbow, knee and ankle- 
which are very painful, and have a red inflamed appearance ; 
movements of the affected limb cause great pain ; the tongue is coated with a thick, white fur; the urine is high colored and 
very scanty ; the bowels usually constipated.* The fever often 
precedes the local inflammation one or two days ; sometimes 
they occur simultaneously, while in others the inflammation 
of the joints precedes the fever. Pain is a more constant 
symptom than swelling, and swelling than redness. The pain 
has many degrees of intensity, is generally intermittent, abates 
somewhat during the day, but is aggravated at night, and in 
all cases is increased by pressure, so that even the touch of 
the medical attendant or nurse, or the weight of the bed 
clothes can scarcely be borne. The skin is hot, but covered 
with a sour, offensive sweat and so highly acid as to redden 
litmus paper. Rheumatism often suddenly quits one joint to 
appear in another, and then in another, until in some cases 
nearly every joint in the body may be attacked- 
Electrical Treatment.-Dr. Tipton says: "First ascertain 
if the kidneys be morbidly positive; urine scanty and too 
highly colored, as is commonly the case. Begin with positive 
B D current over the kidneys, and direct the negative pole to 
the feet by placing them in a basin of warm salt water. Treat 
in this manner fifteen or twenty minutes." Let this be the 
commencement of treatment, until this condition of the kid- 
neys is removed ; then treat with positive pole over inflamed 
joints for fifteen or twenty minutes. By this mode of treat- 
ment I have had the pain and swelling to subside sooner than 
any other. A centrifugal action is necessary to be established 
by applying the positive pole to the nerve centers and the 
negative to the peripheries. In severe cases this treatment 
should be given twice a day until the patient is entirely relieved. 
Medical Treatment.-If called in the early stage of this dis- 
ease, the following may be given with great advantage: 
-F. Ex. Jaborandi gj. 
M. Sig.-Oue-half to one teaspoonful every one or two hours 
until perspiration is induced. 
The success attending the use of this remedy justifies the 
belief that it may, ere long, become one of the foremost in the 
treatment of this affection. After the patient has perspired 
ACUTE RHEUMATISM. 
65 66 
CHOLERA INFANTUM. 
freely from the use of the Jaborandi, the following may be 
substituted: 
W-F. Ex. Cimicifuga ' 5ij. 
F. Ex. Aconite gtts v. 
Aquea §ij. 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful every two hours. 
-Nitrate Pot 5j. 
Holland gin gij. 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful in water every two or three hours to 
eliminate the products of metamorphosis, by stimu- 
lating the organs of secretion and excretion. 
The following liniment may be applied locally, to subdue 
inflammation of the parts : 
ty.-Tr. Arnica giv. 
Spts. Camphor gj. 
F. Ex. Hamamelis §j. 
M. Sig.-Wet a flannel cloth and apply warm. 
If malaria is a factor in connection with the rheumatism, 
quinine is to be administered in sufficient quantity to arrest its 
influence and tone up the system. 
CHOLERA INFANTUM. 
(Inflammation, or high grade of irritation of the stomach and 
bowels). 
This is a disease peculiar to childhood, and occurs princi- 
pally during the second summer, as there is at this age a 
change from the fluid food obtained from the mother, to the 
ordinary food of man. If, to these conditions of the mucous 
membrane of the intestines, which constitute feculent and ca- 
tarrhal diarrhea, we add a derangement of the liver, and an 
erythematic inflammation of the stomach, passing sometimes 
into a state of congestion, we shall be able to form a pretty 
accurate conception of cholera infantum. 
Symptoms.-Although the intestinal actions, in the beginning, 
may only indicate a diarrhea, which gives the child but little 
uneasiness and is scarcely noticed by the mother. But 
presently the child manifests an intense desire to drink, which 
is no sooner taken than it is ejected from the stomach. When 
the attack is violent, the vomitings and purgings are attended CHOLERA INFANTUM. 
67 
with such spasmodic action as to resemble cholera morbus of 
the adult. The fever, which soon follows the first symptoms, 
is irregularly remittent, having its highest excerbations in the 
evening. "The skin is harsh, dry and constricted, and in 
some cases seems to be drawn upon the patient like parch- 
ment. There is great irritability of the nervous system, the 
patient being restless and uneasy, and never satisfied." The 
brain is in a high state of irritation as shown by the delirium, 
convulsions and frenzy which attend it. The eyes, by their 
fierce or languid expression, when awake, and half closed 
condition when asleep, are indicative of the same. The pulse 
is generally small, quick and feeble, or irritated and corded, 
but rarely full or strong. The thirst is intense. With all this, 
there is an unequal distribution of temperature, while the ex- 
tremities are cold, the body is very hot. "Emaciation pro- 
gresses in this affection with great rapidity, the complexion be- 
comes pallid, the flesh flabby, and such is the demand of the 
respiratory function that the fat becomes entirely absorbed, 
livid spots appear on the skin. The eyes and cheeks become 
sunken, the lips shriveled, the integuments corrugated except 
on the forehead, and nose pointed." The color of the dis- 
charge is variable, being green, yellow, white or brown, in- 
odorous or very offensive, but generally being acid in reaction. 
Sometimes the alvine irritability is such that the food passes 
undigested through the bowels. The frequency of the dis- 
charges vary; in some there are three or four during twenty- 
four hours, in others there are from fifteen to twenty during the 
same period of time. There are cases in which the vomiting, 
in connection with the above symptoms, continues to the close 
of life; but more generally it ceases, leaving a diarrhea to 
wear out the patient. In still more advanced stages of the 
disease, several other fearful symptoms show themselves; the 
abdomen becomes tumid or sunken; the mouth becomes 
moist and aptheous ; petachiea and a small, vesicular eruption 
appear on the breast; the skin becomes of a dull and dirty 
hue, and the conjunctive appears bloodshot. The circulation 
has become exceedingly languid, the patient very restless and 68 
plaintively moaning; coma comes on and terminates the suf- 
fering, but not always without symptoms of hydrocephalus. 
"The vesicular eruption on the breast, the discharge of living 
worms, and the thrusting of the fingers into the back part of 
the mouth, as though desirous of drawing something from the 
throat are regarded as invariably fatal symptoms, but the 
tenacity with which the infantile system clings to life, in this 
form of disease, most generally, is truly remarkable; the strug- 
gle seems to be one of time, and if the physician can stay, 
even to a small extent, the progress of the disease, to a more 
advanced season, the patient may recover, however improb- 
able it might appear from the exceedingly worn out condition 
of the patient." In duration, the disease varies from a few 
hours to weeks, and from weeks to months; and it may be 
truly said, "while there is life, there is hope." 
Medical Treatment.-The objects of treatment in the acute 
form of cholera infantum are to arrest the vomiting, to check 
the diarrhea and reconstruct that which has been torn down 
by these discharges. The following I have found to fulfill the 
first two objects of treatment with better results than any 
other with which I am familiar. These remedies control 
nausea, check alvine discharges and prevent morbid irrita- 
bility of the brain : 
B.-Bromide Pot Xj. 
F. Ex. Aconite gtts iv. 
F. Ex. Gelsemium $ssvel 3j- 
Aquea gij. 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful every one or two hours; being gov- 
erned by the degree of fever and restlessness that 
may exist. 
Should there be an extreme degree of fever with a corres- 
ponding amount of restlessness, dry skin, flushed face, con- 
tracted pupils, head hot, this prescription may be given every 
half hour for a few doses until these symptoms are brought 
under subjection. 
To have a soothing and restraining action on the stomach 
and bowels, and act in connection with the above, the follow- 
ing I have used with good success : 
CHOLERA INFANTUM. Bl-Subnitrate Bismuth Jj. 
Pepsin 5 ss- 
M.-Ch. No. xv. Sig.-One every three or four hours in a 
little peppermint water. 
If there is great thirst, nausea and vomiting, a cold infusion 
of the bark of the twigs of peach tree is very good to slake it 
and check vomiting. Small pieces of ice may be given for the 
same purpose, or in absence of the ice a little salt may be add- 
ed to the water, which will quiet the stomach when all other 
remedies seem to fail. The patient should be kept perfectly 
quiet and not be handled nor jostled about more than is prac- 
ticable. In the non-febrile form of cholera infantum attended 
with emaciation, tumid or sunken abdomen, skin dull and 
dirty, the circulation feeble, cool extremities with feeble capil- 
lary circulation : 
ty.-Elix. Calysa, Iron, Strich. and Pepsine, in half tea- 
spoonful doses every four hours. 
Alternating with the above, the following may be given, 
provided the stomach will tolerate it: 
I* -Scott's Emulsion Codliver Oil, in teaspoonful doses. 
Electrical Treatment.-Electricity will be found a remedy 
of superior power to all others, in the successful treatment of 
these cases. It seems to act like magic as it were, so potent 
is it to arrest nausea, and alvine discharges, in atonic condi- 
tions of the alimentory tract. It seems to diffuse new life into 
the emaciated and cadaveric like form, improving thereby all 
the physiological processes. Apply positive pole to the back 
of the neck and down along the spinal column to the coccyx ; 
the negative over the stomach, liver and bowels for fifteen to 
twenty minutes. The operator and assistant may take the 
sponges in their right hands and apply their left to the patient, 
which will modify the tension of the current. These treat- 
ments should be repeated every six, twelve or twenty-four 
hours. If there is a soft compressible pulse, a relaxed skin 
and cold extremities, then quinine by inunction may be ap- 
plied to the skin two or three times a day with good results. 
Much will depend upon the administration of food in these 
cases. Milk mixed with a little bicarb, soda or lime-water will 
CHOLERA INFANTUM. 
69 70 
INFLAMMATORY SORE EYES. 
be found to suit the majority of cases. Horlick's or Liebig's 
food will be found excellent where either can be taken. Con- 
valesence must be watched, and all improper food avoided. 
If the child does not take a sufficient amount of nourishment, 
and is much prostrated, brandy will come in good play here. 
INFLAMMATORY SORE EYES. 
Inflammation of the eyes usually comes on with a sensa- 
tion of dryness and smarting of the eyelids as if sand had got 
into them, and it is with difficulty that the patient gives up 
this idea, he is so strongly impressed with it; which is followed 
by heat, redness, pricking, and with darting pains. 
Electrical Treatment.-It is often astonishing, the rapidity 
with which the galvanic current will reduce the hyperemia 
and redness of the eye attendant upon this affection, relieving 
the pain, and in fact dispersing all the symptoms. The little 
engorged blood vessels can almost be seen to empty them- 
selves, and at the end of three or four sittings of fifteen or 
twenty minutes each, the diseased organ looks as healthy as 
the unaffected one, and remains so, seldom needing any other 
applications of the current. Inflammatory conditions of 
other parts may be successfully treated by the galvanic current 
-it is a very potent remedy to disperse all inflammatory con- 
ditions, either acute or chronic. Mode of applying the elec- 
trical current-If the disease be acute, take an eye electrode, 
fill it up to the neck with warm salt water, attach positive 
conducting cord to it, apply, having the eye open in the water. 
Place the negative pole on the spine at the upper dorsal ver- 
tebra. Treat each eye three to five minutes twice daily with 
mild current. If the disease be chronic apply the negative pole to the eyes and place the positive pole to the spine. Use 
a mild current as in the acute form. 
Medical Treatment.- 
ty.-Sulphate Zinc grs viii. 
Sulphate Morphia grs iv. 
F. Ex. Aconite gtts iv. 
Rose Water •. gij. 
M. Sig.-Wet a small compress of linen or old muslin, and 
keep applied to the eyes. 
Keep the bowels open by means of sulphate magnesia. 
The diet should be non-stimulating. 
DIPHTHERIA. 
71 
DIPHTHERIA. 
After a period of incubation varying from three to seven 
days, during which the patient suffers from general malaise 
and depression, ,with occasional chilliness, the disease an- 
nounces itself by a definite constitutional disturbance, there is 
a rise in the temperature and pulse rate-the former often 
reaching 104° F. within a few hours-an increased feeling of 
chilliness, loss of appetite, nausea, and in some instances 
vomiting or diarrhea. If the patient is an adult, he complains 
of pain in the loins, of headache and often of giddiness. His 
attention is, however, soon diverted from these general symp- 
toms to his throat, which, in a very short time, begins to feel 
hot and dry, and to cause pain in swallowing whilst the neck 
feels stiff, swollen and tender. In a child these subjective 
symptoms are to a great extent lost. The physician, called to 
a case such as is here described, will at once proceed to in- 
spect the patient's throat, and will probably find the tonsils, 
the pillars of the fauces, the uvula, and the back of the 
pharynx red and swollen. But the false membranes which 
are characteristic of the disease will very probably have not 
made their appearance. If they have not, a few hours will 
probably suffice to develop them. The second stage will then 
be present. On carefully watching the progress of the case, a 72 
viscid yellowish secretion will be seen gradually accumulating 
in the depressions on one or both tonsils. A little later the 
superficial layers of mucous membrane becomes infiltrated at 
certain points with a yellow substance, which raises them 
above the level of the surrounding normal tissue. The infil- 
trated patches, which are at first more or less translucent, 
soon become opaque, at the same time changing in color from 
yellow to a grayish white, extending at their periphery, and 
coalescing with similar adjacent patches. In this way a con- 
siderable surface of the fauces and pharynx becomes coated 
with false membrane, which, being constantly re-inforced by 
additions to its under surface, gradually assumes a leathery 
consistence and a lardaceous appearance. Strips of this mem- 
brane may now be torn off, and in some cases, with care, the 
whole of it may be removed in the form of a coat from the parts 
on which it is deposited. The mucous membrane beneath 
will be found robbed of its epithelium, of a vivid red color, 
and covered with numerous hemorrhagic points. Externally 
the neck is more or less swollen and brawny, whilst the 
parotid, submaxillary, and lymphatic glands are frequently en- 
larged, hard and tender. The temperature in most cases 
gradually subsides as the exudation extends, but sometimes 
it remains at a high point, and may even increase as the local 
process develops, but usually falls almost to normal by the 
third or fourth day. The patient still complains of difficulty 
in deglutition, and suffers from a constant "hawking" caused 
by his endeavors to get rid of the tenacious secretion which is 
poured out from the mucous membrane. Unless the mouth is 
repeatedly washed out with a disinfectant gargle the breath be- 
comes horribly offensive from the decomposition of the mor- 
bid secretions in the throat. The primary blood poisoning is 
shown by the extreme debility, the pulse being weak and 
compressible, and often either exceptionally rapid or very 
slow, while the first sound of the heart is muffled and devoid 
of tone, and by the albuminaria, which is almost a constant 
symptom in this disease, and which appears at a very early 
period. The urine itself is scanty and high colored, 
DIPHTHERIA. DIPHTHERIA. 
73 
containing an excess of urea and epithelial casts. It 
is at this period that the diphtheritic process, instead of limit- 
ing itself to the pharynx, may spread in the downward direc- 
tion, and attack the larynx, trachea and bronchia by continuity 
of structure. This extension, when it occurs, usually takes 
place within from three to five days of the invasion of the dis- 
ease, and is in most cases announced by unmistakable signs. 
The voice becomes hoarse, the breathing is more or less strid- 
ulous, and there is a constant dry and toneless cough. To 
these symptoms succeed those of embarrassed respiration ; 
distressing dysponea; gradually increasing cyanosis:; swelling 
of the face, and drowsiness, passing into fatal coma. The 
croupy cough, altered voice, and suffocation which are immi- 
nent from the first settles the nature of the disease beyond a 
doubt that we have a case of "diphtheritic croup"-the most 
fatal form of diphtheria known to the medical profession. 
The other extensions are of less importance, but are attended 
with great danger. The implication of the nasal cavity 
generally announces itself by the discharge of a fetid, dark 
colored watery fluid, which excoriates the margins of the 
nostrils and upper lip. This condition may remain till the pa- 
tient recovers or dies, or it may be followed by, the formation 
of false membrane on the schniderian membrane of the nose, 
and the discharge of fibrinous lumps through the anterior or 
posterior nares. It is sometimes accompanied by repeated and 
perhaps fatal epistaxis. Sometimes there is blocking up of 
the lachrymal duct, and consequent overflow of tears. Cases, 
indeed, occasionally occur in which the diphtheritic process 
extends by this route to the conjunctiva and a plastic exuda- 
tion takes place on that membrane. If the inflammation 
passes along the eustachian tube, complaint will be made of 
roaring noises in the ears; of darting pains and of deafness, 
which may be followed by perforation of the membrana 
tympani, and a discharge of a purulent fluid. The exudation 
of false membrane is an almost invariable phenomenon of 
diphtheria. There are only two classes of cases in which it 
may be absent, viz: those in which death from blood poison- 74 
ing occurs before the exudation has time to form, and those 
in which the local process is not severe enough to result in 
the formation of a definite membrane. False membranes 
may form in the course of the disease upon any part of the 
mucous surfaces which are exposed to the air. As a rule, 
they attach themselves to the more prominent parts. They 
extend from the pharynx to the epiglottis, and ary-epiglotic 
and vocal cords into the trachea, and may only be arrested in 
the small bronchi. They may spread upward into the nasal 
passages, covering the whole cavity and following the wind- 
ings of the turbinated bones. They may appear at the ori- 
fice of the nares and attack the excoriated skin around them. 
They may extend up the lachrymal duct and show themselves 
upon the conjunctiva. In some rare cases they have been 
known to extend into the oesophagus, and they occasionally 
cover the tongue and mucous membrane of the lips. In both 
sexes it may attack the mucous membrane near the orifice of 
any of the internal passages. External wounds of any sort 
are liable to be covered by false membrane. In short, no 
part of the body which is at once open to the air and uncov- 
ered by a thick epidermis, is free from the liability of local in- 
fection and the consequent formation of false membrane. 
The fever in diphtheria may either be very marked or almost 
absent. In the severest and most malignant the temperature 
rising to 104° or 105° Fahr, and after two or three days fre- 
quently falls below the normal standard. There is never any 
tendency to extreme hyperpyrexia. In the usual run of cases 
it would appear that the variations of temperature follow a 
fairly definite course. One author states, "that there is a 
rather acute development of fever at the time of the attack, 
but that the febrile movements diminish on the second day to 
almost normal temperature" [which corresponds with my 
own observations.] Cutaneous eruptions are not uncommon 
in some epidemics, or even in sporadic cases of diphtheria, es- 
pecially among children. Their most common situations are 
the face, neck and chest; quite frequently they make their ap- 
pearance on the abdomen and thighs. A rash is most fre- 
DIPHTHERIA. DIPHTHERIA. 
75 
quently met with in the severest cases. The date of its ap- 
pearance is not definite, and its duration is very variable. 
Sometimes it disappears in a few hours, in other cases it per- 
sists for days. The rash of diphtheria generally more or 
less resembles the rash of scarlatina, and consists of minute 
red isolated spots, which disappears on pressure. It differs 
from scarlet fever in the fact that it is not followed by des- 
quamation. The cases in which diphtheria appears in an ex- 
ceptionally severe form may offer still greater difficulties in 
the way of differential diagnosis, than even mild cases. A 
patient is struck down by intense general blood poisoning and 
rapidly passes into what is named the "typhoid state." If in- 
spection of the fauces is neglected in such a case, the physi- 
cian may experience the greatest perplexity as to the nature 
of the disease. Even the fauces may appear healthy, and the 
case still be one of diphtheria, for the membrane may not as 
yet have had time to form, or may have formed beyond the 
range of sight. The dangers which are most to be dreaded 
at the outset of an attack are, on the one hand, extension of 
the disease to the larynx, and on the other the severe blood 
poisoning. In the former case the patient is exposed to immi- 
nent risk of death from asphyxia. In the latter a fatal result 
may occur from collapse, or the patient may rapidly sink with 
adynamic symptoms. At a later period a fatal result may be 
brought about by repeated attacks of syncope, by general 
prostration without manifest cause ; by constant and uncon- 
trolable vomiting, or from severe hemorrhages, or by inflam- 
matory complications, such as secondary pneumonia or acute 
nephritis. In the case of infants, death has resulted from 
inability to suck, owing to implication and consequent stop- 
page of the nasal passage. Death during convalescence most 
commonly results from paralysis of the heart or of the 
muscles of inspiration, or from intercurrent disease of the 
lungs or pleura or from general failure of nerve force and 
exhaustion. 
The most cursory study of the general pathology of diph- 
theria suffices to assure us that it is an acute general dis- 76 
ease with certain local manifestations. The primary septi- 
cemia is due in the first instance to the specific poison, but 
absorption from the decomposing lymph is no doubt also a 
cause of secondary infection. In all cases the attack is asso- 
ciated with some degree of constitutional disturbance, while, 
in the severest forms, there is extreme disorganization of the 
blood and consequent implication of nearly every tissue in 
the body. There is the frequent derangement of the renal 
function, the marked prostration of strength, the functional de- 
rangement of the heart, and at a later period, the extensive 
implication of the nervous and muscular systems. If the dis- 
ease terminates favorably, a marked improvement in all the 
symptoms takes place generally, at the end of the first, or at the 
beginning of the second week. The swelling and injection of 
the mucous membrane steadily subside, the exudation ceases 
to extend, and portions become successively loosened and 
thrown off. All the local discomfort rapidly disappears, and 
the general symptoms improve. The temperature and pulse 
rate fall to a normal standard and remain so ; the appetite re- 
turns; the urine becomes of natural color and quality; the 
skin resumes its functions, and, with the exception of a certain 
degree of muscular weakness, the patient feels quite well. He 
is not, however, as yet, quite out of danger; it is not at all an 
unfrequent event for a relapse to occur, with a fresh forma- 
tion of false membrane, and a return of all the most serious 
symptoms, or the heart's action may show signs of failure, and 
he may die of syncope. 
Pathology-Diphtheria belongs to the asthenic class of dis- 
eases, and is a specific and infectious disease, setting up in the 
blood a process of sepsis. This impairs the normal molecular 
integrity of the tissues by exhausting the sympathetic nervous 
system. There is a change in the electrical condition of the 
blood, with imperfect oxidation ; the blood is surcharged with 
carbonic acid and effete matter, in which there is increased 
sepsis with loss of muscular irritability and rapid tissue change. 
We notice an asthenic spreading inflammation of the mucous 
membrane of the tonsils, uvula and pharynx, attended with 
DIPHTHERIA. DIPHTHERIA. 
77 
patches of gray exudations on the inflamed parts. If these 
patches are removed, the surface beneath is seen to be red 
and bleeding, and in a few hours becomes covered with a 
fresh layer of exudation. Diphtheria varies much in its gen- 
eral character. Sometimes the general and local symptoms 
are trifling, attended with little fever, little soreness of the 
throat, slight dysphagia, no nervous symptoms, nor yet any 
albumen in the urine. In others the disease is very severe. 
The mucous membrane may be dusky red ; the dysphagia ex- 
treme ; the fever great, but of a low adynamic form, intense 
muscular weakness ; the urine loaded with lithates, albumen, 
granular and sometimes tubular casts. 
Treatment.-I had been, for the past four years, reading ev- 
erything that I could get in my possession on diphtheria, with 
the hope that I might come across something that would rob 
this fell destroyer of some of its terrors, and not until three 
years ago did I believe that anything new could be added to 
the list of our remedies. As a dernier resort I was led to 
reason in this way: That there are in the human system, 
manifested, three actions, viz: Vital, Electrical and Chemical. 
So in all asthenic diseases there is minus the positive electri- 
cal action, known by nervous and muscular prostration (de- 
oxidation of the blood). Viewing it from this standpoint, I 
was induced to test the action of electricity in connection with 
my usual prescriptions, and,'after administering it in a num- 
ber of cases and observing its power for good over morbid 
processes, I was constrained to exclaim "Eureka!" so certain 
was it in arresting the disease. Soon after I had thus tested 
this potent agent in a sufficient number of cases to establish 
the fact of its superior qualities as a medicinal agent, I wrote 
an article, which was published in the March number of the In- 
dependent Medical Investigator for 1880; being the first I ever 
saw in print, extolling it as having a superior power over the 
system as a vitalizer, causing it to rid itself of zymotic poison 
especially that of diphtheritic. Since that time I notice, 
through the medical literature of the day, that many promi- 
nent physicians have dared to come to the front in this direc- 78 
DIPHTHERIA. 
tion, and are using it in acute as well as in chronic diseases, 
with most excellent results. Electricity is a catalytic, stimu- 
lant and antispasmodic. Its power is to arrest and break up 
morbid processes by stimulating the cells of the central sym- 
pathetic nervous system, which action is carried to the peri- 
pheral nerves, carrying along the poison from the centers to 
the circumference, emptying them into the capillary blood 
vessels in the same manner that nature does in health. How 
does the system rid itself of uremic poison, other than by 
eliminating it through the depurators ? When there is sup- 
pression of urine with symptoms of "uremia" we administer 
such agents as will stimulate the depurative organs, whereby 
this accumulated poison in the tissues and blood maybe elimi- 
nated, and there is no other way by which this can be accom- 
plished, save in establishing a physiological action of the secre- 
tory and excretory organs. If the human organism thus rids 
itself of foreign subtances in these cases, will not the same 
principle apply to the elimination from the system of all poi- 
sons ? As nature's workings are in direct lines, she never 
goes "fooling round" and bending her operations to suit the 
theories of speculative minds. Where there is an active con- 
dition of the blood vessels (electro-positive) in any part of the 
body to which the positive electrode of a galvanic battery is 
applied, there is 'caused an anemic condition of these vessels ; 
for it is a law of electrical science 'that two positives repel each 
other. And since the blood-vessels of the part are in a posi- 
tive condition, we readily see the rationale how these engorged 
vessels have been depleted by the continuous galvanic current. 
The same analytical reasoning applies to parts of the body in 
an electro-negative condition. We thus change polarization 
of disease to that of health, by re-establishing an equilibrium 
of the electro-nervous fluid. 
Mode of Applying the Electrical Treatment.-In applying 
electricity in the form of the galvanic current, I direct the 
patient to have his feet placed in a vessel, containiiig warm 
salt water, with the negative electrode; then I moisten the 
sponge of the positive electrode and apply it to each side of the DIPHTHERIA. 
79 
throat, over the swollen glands for fifteen to twenty minutes, 
then to the cervical region of the spinal column from five to 
ten minutes. These treatments should in bad cases be given 
once in three or four hours, mild current only. Use the A B 
current of Kidder's battery, should it be preferred, in the same 
manner as in the others. This treatment is for adults and 
children from eight to fifteen years of age. For small children 
I usually apply the positive electrode to the glands of the 
throat, over the upper part of the chest and to the cervical re- 
gion of the spinal column, the negative to the dorsal and lum- 
bar regions of the spine. I have the little patient to take the 
electrode in the hand, and held there by an assistant, or apply 
it to the stomach, bowels and liver. These treatments should 
be repeated as ofterf as three or four times during the twenty- 
four hours. It should always be remembered that only mild 
currents are to be used on children-which should be con- 
tinued at each sitting twenty to thirty minutes, in order to get 
the full allotropic action of the current. It should also be re- 
membered that the positive electrode is to be applied to the 
parts where there is active inflammation, or congestion, and 
the negative electrode remotely, for this is the one that stimu- 
lates the absorbent vessels and causes poisons to be taken up 
as fast as the positive pole propels them into the capillaries at 
the peripheries. When adult patients are too much prostra- 
ted to have their feet immersed in warm salt water, give them 
treatment in the same manner that you would children. The 
A B current of Kidder's electro-medical apparatus is used in 
preference to either of the other currents as it is the most 
powerful catalytic of either of the others. McIntosh's com- 
bined galvanic and faradic battery, I have found to give entire 
satisfaction. 
I shall now present to my readers a few clinical cases of 
diphtheria, the history and treatment of which verify the 
statements which I made in a previous part of this work, as 
to the great vitalizing power of electricity over diseased pro- 
cesses, when used in connection with appropriate medicinal 
agents. Some may claim that these cases would have re- 80 
DIPHTHERIA. 
covered as speedily without the administration of electricity as 
with it; so they might, but the fact of other similar cases dy- 
ing by the score under the treatment of other physicians who 
did not use electricity in their practice; this I urge as a rea- 
son for the necessity of the administration of electricity in the 
successful treatment of this most fell destroyer, diphtheria. 
Case I. Miss U., aged fifteen years, was taken sick on the 
25th of January, with all the prodromal symptoms of diphthe- 
ria of the ataxic form; exudations on the pharynx, tonsils, 
uvula, with an extension up into the anterior and posterior 
nares, followed by considerable sloughing and hemorrhage. 
Electrical Treatment.-I directed the application of the 
electric current to be made. The positive electrode (the 
sponge of which wet in warm salt water) to be applied to the 
swollen glands of the throat; the negative to the feet, which 
were immersed in a basin containing warm salt water; the 
current continued from twenty to thirty minutes, and repeated 
every four to six hours, until she began to improve, then two 
or three times during the twenty-four hours. 
Medical Treatment.-The following was prescribed, to be 
used internally. 
-Quinine grs xv. 
Mur. Tr. Iron SM- 
Potassa Chloras --- $ss. 
Aquea Jj. 
Glycerine 3vi. 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful every two hours in water. 
9.-Hyposulphite Sodea 5ij. 
F. Ex. Phytolacca gtts xx. 
Aquea §j. 
Glycerine gj. 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful every two hours; alternating with 
the other. 
When the patient commenced to improve, the medicines 
were given each every three hours. Whisky ad libitum, egg 
nog, and milk punch were administered frequently. The pa- 
tient was sick for ten or twelve days, but fully recovered. 
Case II. Eunice H., aged 3 years, was taken sick Feb. 1, 
with diphtheritic croup-hoarse, metallic cough; stridulous 
breathing: high temperature ; pulse 135 per minute. Dr. L. 
was called first, and diagnosed the disease as being pseudo- DIPHTHERIA. 
81 
membranous croup. The doctor and relatives became 
alarmed, and they had me called as counsel. I examined the 
little fellow's throat, and never saw a more marked case of 
diphtheritic exudations, which entirely covered the pharynx, 
tonsils, uvula, and an extension of the exudation of an inch 
up into the arch of the buccal cavity ; also involving the larynx, 
giving rise to the croupy symptoms. I gave an unfavorable 
prognosis of the case to the doctor and friends, but I concluded 
to see what science and direct medication would do for the 
case. I reasoned in this way : That there is an asthenic in- 
flammatory process going on in the throat, with an exudation 
of cacoplastic lymph there, and that electricity is a stimulant 
and catalytic, and breaks up morbid processes by stimulating 
the cells of the systemic central nervous system, which influ- 
ence is carried to the peripheries, thereby equalizing the cir- 
culation, increasing absorption, and all the physiological pro- 
cesses, and that the nervous and muscular irritability at the 
point to which the positive pole is applied is lessened (anemia 
of the blood-vessels) and that nervous and muscular irritability 
at the negative is increased (hyperemia of the blood-vessels). 
Believing these to be true principles of the action of the elec- 
tric current, I directed that the patient's feet be placed in a 
basin containing warm salt water with the negative pole of the 
battery, and the positive pole (the sponge of which being wet 
in the salt water, to increase the conductility), to the swollen 
glands of the throat and over the upper part of the chest. 
These applications were repeated every four to six hours until 
the symptoms seemed to be yielding, then twice a day. 
Medical Treatment.-The internal treatment was as follows: 
9--Hyposulphite Sodea ST 
F. Ex. Jaborandi 3SS- 
F. Ex. Arum Tryphillum 5ij. 
F. E. Phytolacca --gtts xvi. 
Aquea and Glycerine quantum sufficit to fill a two 
ounce bottle. 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful every two hours. 
9.-F. Ex. Eucalyptus gss, 
F. Ex. Cinchonia co - gjss. 
M. Sig.-Of this a teaspoonful in a little simple syrup every 
four hours. 
Whisky was given quite often, and milk punch and egg nog 82 
DIPHTHERIA. 
in such quantities as the patient would take. I was retained, 
and called to see the little patient often. In from six to ten 
hours after my first visit, the patient commenced perspiring 
profusely ; the alarming symptoms began to give way; the 
pulse fell from 135 to 110 per minute; the hoarseness and 
croupy cough commenced growing less alarming, and he 
gradually convalesced, and within a few days he was well. 
Case III. Dr. C's son, aged four years. On the 4th of 
February I was called by the doctor to see his little son, who, 
after making a careful examination, I found in a very danger- 
ous condition, but told the doctor that I would put forth my 
best efforts to save his boy. 
Electrical Treatment.-I directed that the electric current 
be used in the same manner as in Case II. The sittings to be 
repeated every four to six hours, until the inflammation and 
croupy symptoms began to subside. 
Medical Treatment.- 
W-F. Ex. Jaborandi 388- 
Arum Tryphillum 5b • 
F. Ex. Aconite gtts v. 
Aquea 3b- 
Glycerine 3b- 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful every two hours. 
ty.-Tr. Iodine 3j. 
F. Ex. Phytolacca gtts xx. 
Glycerine 3.1- 
Water -_ 3j. 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful every two hours, alternately with the 
other. 
In a few hours after the patient commenced taking the treat- 
ment he began to sweat freely, and continued perspiring for 
several hours, when the alarming symptoms commenced dis- 
appearing, and in six or «ight days he was comparatively well. 
Case IV. Age sixteen years, was taken sick on the 24th of 
March, with symptoms of malignant diphtheria; rigors, head- 
ache, and vomiting; very fetid breath; exudations in the 
throat, which extended up into the posterior and anterior 
nares, followed by sloughing and hemorrhage. The fever was 
of the adynamic type; the pulse frequent and feeble; great 
prostration of strength : anorexia, etc. DIPHTHERIA. 
83 
Electrical Treatment.-In that the patient was too weak to 
sit up and have his feet placed in warm salt water. I had 
the positive pole applied to the throat, upper part of chest, 
both anteriorily and posteriorily ; while the negative pole was 
applied to the stomach, liver and bowels. These treatments 
were given two or three times a day, and continued for fifteen 
to twenty minutes at each sitting. 
Medical Treatment.- 
l^.-Hyposulphite Sodea 5ij. 
F. Ex. Baptissa gtts xvi. 
F. Ex. Phytolacca gtts xx. 
Glycerine 3j 
Water £j. 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful every two hours. 
Ik-Tr. Iodine 5j. 
Water ^ij. 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful every two hours, alternately with the 
other. 
Whisky, egg-nog and milk punch were administered as free- 
ly as the patient would take them. After a few days of this 
treatment he commenced to improve, and in two weeks was 
able to be up, but paralysis of the lower limbs followed the 
diphtheritic attack, which soon disappeared by the use of the 
faradic current, phos. and nux vom. pills. By the continuous 
use of these measures he has entirely recovered, and I attri- 
bute his recovery more to the rational use of, electricity than 
to all the other means that were used. But, doubtless, elec- 
tricity would not have been sufficient alone ; his case required 
medicines and food in connection with it as well. 
Case V. Alice D., aged four years, was taken sick Nov. 8, 
with rigors, headache and vomiting; very fetid breath; exu- 
dations in the throat, which extended up into the posterior 
and anterior nares, followed by sloughing ; the temperature 
high; great nervous and muscular prostration; pulse feeble 
and frequent. 
Electrical Treatment.-I directed that the electric current 
be used in the same manner as prescribed in Case IV. 
Medical Treatment.- 84 
USES OF ELECTRICITY IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY. 
ty.-Hyposulphite Sodea gjss. 
F. Ex. Baptissa gtts xvi. 
F. Ex. Phytolacca gtts xx. 
Glycerine ; gj. 
Water gj. 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful every two hours. 
Bl-Tr. Iodine 3j. 
Water gj. 
Glycerine gj. 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful every two hours; alternating with 
the other. 
Stimulants and nutritious food were given. 
This treatment was continued with slight variations for three 
or four days, at which time the patient commenced to improve 
slightly, and at the end of two weeks she had almost entirely 
recovered. 
Diseases of the generative organs has been a fruitful field as 
regards electrical treatment. This department of medical 
science has done much for electrology, and this in its turn has 
amply repaid the time and attention bestowed upon it. Of 
course in this work we shall only notice a few diseases and 
their treatment by electricity. 
UTERUS AND ITS APPENDAGES. 
"Besides its uses as a dynamic remedy, electricity is ser- 
viceable in many cases, on account of its chemical, mechanical, 
absorbent, and other physiological effects, for example, it is 
used in surgery to destroy, by its chemical action, morbid 
growths ; to promote the absorption of fluid accumulations ; 
to break up adhesions, and for many other purposes. In ob- 
stetrics it is used to produce vigorous contractions of the 
uterus, either with the design of hastening the expulsion of the 
foetus or placenta, or of checking a post-partum hemorrhage. 
It is often found useful in increasing the flow of milk or dis- 
USES OF ELECTRICITY IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY. USES OF ELECTRICITY IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY. 
85 
persing a mammary abscess, and in resuscitating a partially as- 
phyxiated foetus." 
We now, however, have to do with its uses in diseases of 
women. The conditions requiring the use of electricity in 
labor are: First. Inertia. The pains suddenly cease, after 
having been sufficient, or the pains are sufficient in frequency, 
but not strong enough. Second. A retained placenta. Third. 
Any case in which it is necessary to hasten the birth of the 
child. Fourth. Post-partum hemorrhage. It seems almost 
unnecessary to remark that in any of these conditions, where 
there is great mechanical resistance to the free passage of the 
child into the inferior strait of the pelvis; rigidity of the os 
uteri, or when the head of the child is too large or too un- 
yielding, electricity should not be used until all the impedi- 
ments to free exit of the child have been overcome. To 
illustrate a case : The patient, a multipara, has been in labor 
for several hours ; the pains have been regular in frequency 
and strength; the os uteri is fully dilated, or nearly so, it is at 
least dilatable ; the pains suddenly cease from some unascer- 
tainable cause; we have tried all the ordinarily indicated 
remedies, and failed. This is just the case for electricity, and 
I don't believe I extol it too highly by saying that in such a 
case it will never disappoint us. The patient should be 
placed on the back, and a cup-shaped electrode attached to 
one pole of an ordinary induction machine, which should be 
introduced into the vagina, placed in contact with the cervix, 
and held there by an assistant. The broad sponge electrode 
should now be moistened, held firmly on the abdomen at a 
point corresponding to the fundus uteri. The current may now 
be allowed to flow, commencing with a very weak current and 
gradually increasing the strength until strong bearing down 
pains are felt. After the pain has continued about as long as 
natural pain would under the circumstances, stop the current 
and allow a period of total repose, and thus imitate nature as 
nearly as possible, by producing contraction and intermission, 
until the close of the labor. Of course, if during that time the 
natural contractions spring up of themselves, we have no fur- 86 
ther necessity for continuing faradization. The same method 
may be used to hasten the expulsion of a retained placenta. 
The galvanic current is never indicated in these conditions. 
In post-partum hemorrhage, the placenta having been removed, 
the method of procedure should be somewhat different. A 
ball electrode (as large as the uterus will admit) should be in- 
troduced into the cavity of the uterus, to the fundus, the other 
electrode (of suitable shape) applied directly to the cervix, the 
faradic current is introduced so as to complete the circuit. It 
makes but little difference in which direction the current 
travels, but it should be of such a strength as to cause the or- 
gan to contract vigorously, until it feels like a hard ball when 
the hand is placed on the abdomen, then the current should 
be diminished gradually, but the electrodes should not be re- 
moved from their places until all signs of hemorrhage have 
ceased, so that in case of a repetition of the flow, the elec- 
tricity can at once be called into action without unnecessarily 
disturbing the patient. I know of no remedy that will con- 
trol post-partum flowing, that is at all comparable with the 
faradic current. The late Alexander Murray, of New York 
City, stated that he obtained good results both in cases of 
inertia previous to delivery, and in post-partum flooding, by 
the use of the faradic current transmitted through the uterus 
transversely, that is, one pole is placed on the sacrum and the 
other on the abdomen. 
USES OF ELECTRICITY IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY. 
The absence of the menstrual flow cannot be considered as 
a disease per se, but rather as one of the results of structural or 
functional derangement, viz : of amenorrhea caused by atrophy 
of the uterus and ovaries, or by chlorosis and pregnancy; of 
the amenorrhea caused by atrophy of the uterus, or of any of 
its appendages, cannot be restored either by electricity or any 
other treatment known to the profession. The amenorrhea of 
pregnancy needs no physician. Chlorosis, or green sickness, 
as it is called, is one of the most common causes of amen- 
orrhea, and one in which electrical treatment alone and un- 
aided gives brilliant results. All the best authorities are 
AMENORRHEA (ABSENT MENSTRUATION). USES OF ELECTRICITY IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY. 
87 
agreed on this point. Onimus gives an account of a chlorotic 
girl "who had not menstruated for five months, in whom the 
menses appeared after six electrical treatments." They or- 
dinarily take much longer, and the duration of the attendance 
necessary is almost always proportional to the existence of the 
disease. 
UTERINE HEMORRHAGE (MENORRHAGIA). 
When excessive flowing is the result of polypi, fibroid 
tumors or cancer, the removal of these will cause it to cease, 
but when it is owing to metritis, sub-involution, or displace- 
ment, it can be relieved with electricity, ergot, digitalis, iron, 
cannabis indica, quina and hammamelis. Dr. Butler reports 
the following case, which is so much in keeping with my own 
views that I give it a place : "A lady, aged thirty-two, came 
to me about three years ago to be treated. She was feeble, 
pale and emaciated, and had oedema of hands and feet. About 
two years ago she had her last child, and three or four months 
after that she commenced to menstruate with considerable 
pain, the flow lasting at first five or six days, and very pro- 
fuse, each menses was more copious and lasted longer than 
the preceding one, up to the time I saw her. A physical ex- 
amination revealed the following condition of things : paleness 
of vagina, retroversion of the uterus, which measured four and 
a half inches in length, internal measurement, was soft and 
spongy to the feel, but perfectly moveable. A pale, sanguino- 
lent discharge was oozing from the os. She had been under 
the treatment of a number of physicians, and had been scari- 
fied, cupped, leeched, blistered, and dosed secundum artem 
without benefit, but she seemed to think was made worse. I 
commenced treating her at once with a mild faradic current, 
internally applied, which I used daily. The result was, that 
during the first month of treatment she menstruated three 
times; during the second month twice; during third month 
twice, which lasted only five days ; three times during the 
next two months, at the end of which time the measurement 
of the uterus had decreased by one inch, and was firmer and 
less patulous. She continued steadily to improve and I re- 88 
duced the frequency of the applications gradually to once a 
week, continuing them for a year, at the end of which time 
the menses were nearly normal, that is to say, about every 
twenty-six or twenty-seven days, about the proper quantity, 
and occurred with very little pain. The measurement of the 
uterus was also about normal, so I discontinued the treatment 
perfectly satisfied with the result. She is now a healthy, ro- 
bust looking woman, some twenty-five pounds heavier than 
when she came under my care, and is about three months 
pregnant, all of which (except the last) I must attribute to the 
treatment, as the only remedy she used that had any bearing 
on her condition, was brotalus, which I prescribed for her 
when she was nine months under my charge, for a number of 
echymosed-looking spots on the skin, which, by the way, it 
cured very effectually." 
USES OF ELECTRICITY IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY. 
How often is this condition accurately diagnosed, and in 
what proportion of cases are other affections of the pelvic 
viscera mistaken for? Have we any symptoms (positive) 
whereby we can always, with absolute certainty distinguished 
this disease from every other? Yes ; there are two symptoms, 
however, generally present, which, when they both exist, re- 
move any doubt regarding the true character of the difficulty. 
They are: First. Extreme tenderness of the ovary or ovaries 
when pressed upon by the double touch; this act also pro- 
ducing nausea, and even vomiting. Second. Dysmenorrhea 
which precedes the catamenia many days, and often continues 
after the flow has ceased. When we also find that there is 
pain over either ovary, or both, pain on every atempt to move 
the bowels, and tendency to hysteria, we may feel convinced 
that we have a case of ovaritis to deal with. When we have 
used in our prescriptions such remedies as cimicifuga, conium, 
hamamelis, iodine, bromide pot., and have failed, then we may 
think of electricity. Some cases rapidly improve under care- 
ful electrical treatment, others more slowly. As a rule it 
takes from two to three months' treatment to effect perma- 
nent good. The galvanic current is the only form of electricity 
CHRONIC OVARITIS- 89 
that should be used. The sensitive inflamed ovaries should 
not be faradized. As regards the absolute strength of current 
to use, I should say from five to ten cells of McIntosh's gal- 
vanic battery (or the A B current of Kidder's machine), is 
amply sufficient for most cases. The treatments must be 
frequently repeated, and it is well to commence immediately 
after the cessation of the menses, so as to have time to improve 
the patient as much as possible before the occurrence of the 
next menstrual period. Abscess of the ovary is not benefitted 
very materially by electrization. 
Mode of Applying the Electrical Current.-Attach positive 
pole to the vaginal electrode; introduce per vagina to the 
uterus; the negative pole at the coccyx and pass down over 
the lower extremeties, for fifteen or twenty minutes. Then 
withdraw vaginal electrode, and apply positive pole over the 
ovaries ten to twenty minutes. These applications should be 
repeated every day or second day, using mild galvanic current. 
USES OF ELECTRICITY IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY. 
DYSMENORRHEA. 
T. Gaillard Thomas, M. .D., divides this disease into five 
varieties, viz: Neuralgiac dysmnorrhea, Congestive dysmen- 
orrhea, Obstructive dysmenorrhea, Membranous dysmen- 
orrhea, Ovarian dysmenorrhea. In some of the vari- 
eties we can do much to relieve our patients with such 
remedies as belladona, viburnum opulus, cimicifuga, gel- 
semium pulsatilla, etc. But there are cases in which these 
remedies act only as palliatives, and electricity comes to our 
aid. The best mode of applying the current, so that it will do 
the greatest amount of good in the shortest time, is to use a 
sponge electrode of sufficient size to cover a large portion of 
the sacral region. This should be attached to the positive 
pole of a galvanic battery, and the other pole attached to a 
uterine electrode, and introduced up next to the os; the cur- 
rent should be thus passed for fifteen or twenty minutes, then 
the uterine electrode removed, and a sponge electrode attached 
to the conducting cord, and placed in alternation over each 
ovary for twenty to thirty minutes, moderate current. 
The following case of dysmenorrhea is reported by Dr. 90 
USES OF ELECTRICITY IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY. 
Neftel, of New York City: "Miss E., aged twenty-nine, has 
inherited a neuropathic constitution-her father having died 
from softening of the brain. She always suffered from dys- 
menorrhea, and though well nourished and looking tolerably 
healthy, was frequently subject to headaches, flushed very 
readily and often had fainting fits, especially during the men- 
strual pains. The dysmenorrhea was always accompanied 
with a sensation of cold in the head, and other vaso motor 
phenomena. Dr. Sims found anteflexion of the uterus, and 
proposed an operation (incision of the cervix), as nothing else 
could relieve her dysmenorrhea. She was afraid of an opera- 
tion, and therefore Dr. Sims kindly referred her to me, for a 
galvanic treatment. As all the usual remedies had been tried 
without benefit for so many years, I concluded to observe the 
effect of the galvanic treatment, unsupported by any other 
medication, in order to obtain and demonstrate the uncompli- 
cated result of the galvanic treatment of dysmenorrhea. In 
the progress of this case there was nothing of particular in- 
terest which would require any special notice. Under the in- 
fluence of daily galvanic treatments, the menstruation appeared 
with considerable pain, which, however, lasted only a few 
hours. The next menstruations were entirely painless. More- 
over, she was relieved from headaches, fainting fits, coldness 
of the extremities, and other morbid symptoms within the 
vaso motor sphere, and left New York, January 12, 1875, in a 
perfectly healthy condition, which still continues. Last fall, 
on her way from the Centennial Exhibition, she visited New 
York, and called on Dr. Sims, whom she informed that she 
is permanently cured of the dysmenorrhea, and other morbid 
symptoms, by the galvanic treatment." Dysmenorrhea caused 
by obstruction calls for a remedy that will overcome such ob- 
structions in the shortest possible time, with the least amount 
of suffering to the patient, and at the same time promises the 
most permanent cure. Let us for a moment consider what 
the most frequent causes of obstructions to the menstrual flow 
are: First of all in frequency, comes cicatrical strictures of the 
cervix from powerful escharotics; next flexions, producing closure of the cervical canal; then fibroids, causing a like 
condition; congenital narrow cervix, and spasmodic contrac- 
tion of the os internum." These different causes require the 
gynecologist to study every case closely as they come before 
him, that he may know definitely how to proceed with his 
treatment. 
CHOLERA. 
91 
As this disease has invaded some of the eastern countries 
and is marching westward, and will soon have crossed over 
to this continent to begin its work of terror and death, it 
behooves every lover of humanity to set about and investi- 
gate its cause and nature, and suggest a line of treatment, 
which will stay the progress of this great desolating malady. 
Therefore, in view of these facts, I shall endeavor to present 
the opinions and observations made by medical men who have 
investigated this subject the most thoroughly. That cholera 
depends upon atmospherical electrical changes and con- 
ditions is conceded by those who have made a scientific an- 
alysis of the subject. 
Dr. Andruand, in 1849, in Paris, during the cholera there, 
which shows a striking coincidence between the amount of 
atmospheric elecricity and the virulence of the epidemic, in 
a letter to the president of the French Academy of Medicine, 
dated June 10, 1849, says: "The electrical machine I have 
used for daily observations is rather powerful. In ordinary 
weather it gives, after two or three turns of the wheel, brilliant 
sparks of five or six centimeters. I have noticed since the in- 
vasion of the epidemic that I have not been able to produce on 
any one occasion the same effect. This was a strong pre- 
sumption that I was on the track of the important fact I was 
endeavoring to find. Nevertheless, I was not convinced, be- 
cause one might attribute the fact to the moisture of the air, 
or to the irregularities of the electric machine. Thus I waited 
with impatience, the arrival of fine weather, with heat, to 
CHOLERA. 92 
CHOLERA. 
continue my observations with more certainty. At last fine 
weather came, and to my astonishment the machine, though 
often consulted, was far from showing as it ought, an augmen- 
tation of electricity, but gave signs less and less sensible to 
such a degree, that during the days of the 4th, 5th and 6th of 
June, it was impossible to obtain anything but slight crackling 
without sparks. On the 7th, the machine remained quite 
dumb. This new decrease of the electrical fluid has perfectly 
accorded as is only too well known, with the renewed violence 
of the cholera. For my part, I was not more alarmed than 
astonished; my conviction was complete. I saw only the 
consequence of the fact already supposed. It may be im- 
agined with what anxiety I consulted the machine, the sad 
and faithful interpreter of a great calamity. At last, on the 
morning of the 8th, some feeble sparks reappeared, and from 
hour to hour electric intensity increased. I felt with joy that 
the vivifying fluid was returning in the atmosphere. Toward 
evening a storm announced at Paris that the electricity had 
re-entered its domain. To my eyes, it was the cholera dis- 
appearing with the cause which produced it. The machine, 
then, at the least touch, rendered with facility most lively 
sparks. And in six days following the 8th of June, the mor- 
tality fell regularly from 667 to 355." 
Prof. Newton, M. D., says : "In 1849, and on the day that 
the cholera was the most fatal in Cincinnati, he was confined 
to his chamber at the time ; that all the house flies about his 
house died on that day, undoubtedly of asphyxia for a want of 
oxygen in the atmosphere to support combustion. It has 
been observed by medical men that fat, or obese people are 
less liable than other persons to this disease, and the reason 
given is that they require less oxygen than persons who are 
more spare." 
Dr. Atkinson says: "I am desirous at the present time of 
calling the attention of the medical profession to a very inter- 
esting phenomenon, more or less present in the collapsed 
stage of cholera, which seems hitherto to have escaped the 
observation of medical men, viz: animal electricity or phos- CHOLERA. 
93 
phorescence of the human body. My attention was first at- 
tracted to the subject during a former visitation of that fear- 
ful disease. It was indeed singular to notice the visible quan- 
tity of electric fluid, which continually discharged itself on the 
approach of any conducting body to the surface of the skin of 
the patient laboring under the collapsed stage, more particu- 
larly if the patient had previously been envelopedin blankets ; 
streams of electricity, many of them averaging one and a half 
inches in length, could readily be educted by the knuckles of 
the hand, when directed to any part of the body, and these 
appeared in color, effect, crackling noise»and luminous in 
character, similar to that which we are all accustomed to ob- 
serve when touching a Leyden jar. I observed simultaneous- 
ly with the heat of the body passing off, the electricity was 
evolved also. Again, is not the whole of that which we call 
vital phenomena produced by certain modifications of electro- 
galvanic-magnetic matter and motions? And do we not find 
that these vital phenomena are continuously affected by the 
relative state of the surrounding electric medium? To what 
can we attribute the present fluctuating condition of the bar- 
ometer, if not to it? Chemistry has failed to point out any 
other material so ponderable as the cause of epidemic dis- 
ease." 
Prof. Bartholow, M. D., says, in all his autopsies made, he 
found considerable hyperemia and dilation of the vessels of 
the medulla oblongata. The constancy of this leison would 
seem to indicate a relationship between congestion of the 
medulla and cramp, which sets at rest the'fact that cholera is 
a leison of the nervous system, and not of the blood, per se, 
as many suppose. 
"To assist in the treatment of cholera, all are agreed that 
non-conducting substances on the surface of the skin aid es- 
sentially in the cure, and it should be further understood, dur- 
ing the disturbed state of the atmosphere, while the epidemic 
is raging, for the purpose of restraining the electricity in the 
system, we should wear woolen undergarments, gutta-percha 94 
CHOLERA. 
soles, so as to insulate, as much as possible, the body, to 
prevent the heat and electricity from passing off." 
"The air in the room should be ozonized by the use of per- 
manganate potassa and oxalic acid, equal parts, mixed and 
put on a plate or saucer, add a few drops of water, and carry 
the same around the room, leaving it under the bed of the 
patient. Repeat the ozonizing three or four times a day, hold- 
ing the dish at arm's length, and walking so as not to inhale 
the fumes, excepting after it is mixed with the air. Or, the air 
may be impregnated with bromine mixed with water."-Dr. 
Tipton. * 
Whatever may be the difference of opinions as to the cause 
and nature of cholera, its symptoms and consequent treat- 
ment, two points will be conceded by most thinking men: 
First. That it is of the utmost importance to keep up the 
power of the systemic nervous system, as well as the diges- 
tive, so that the watery portion of the blood is restrained from 
being poured out through relaxation of the bowels. Second. 
That in the treatment of this disease, that remedy is the most 
effective which is the most directly applicable, and the most 
independent of the disturbed digestive functions. In sending 
a current of electricity from the spine (nerve centers) to the 
abdomen (peripheries), we vitalize, or keep up the power of 
the systemic nervous system and stomach, and keeping in ac- 
tion all the functions, we prevent the diarrhea from taking on 
an alarming character. If we cure cholera we must treat the 
spinal and respiratory nerves in order to equalize the circula- 
tion, and oxidize the blood, keeping in mind the important 
nerve center, the solar plexus, by a direct action on the great 
splanchnic nerve. To use electricity with the best results, the 
direction of the currents should be understood. The negative 
pole increases excitability and reflex action. The positive 
pole diminishes them by relaxing muscular fibre. 
Electrical Treatment.-The patient should remain perfectly 
quiet on his back. In the early stage, if cramping accompany 
the vomiting and purging, apply the relaxing current (positive) 
to the muscles of the stomach and bowels, which are in spasm, and the contracting current (negative) to the cervical region of 
the spinal column. Treat in this stage of the disease some 
ten or fifteen minutes at a time, and repeat the applications 
every half hour or hour until the symptoms improve, then re- 
duce their frequency as the case seems to require. In the 
stage of collapse, place the positive pole at the coccyx, and 
pass the negative along the spinal column and over the trunk 
and arms for five or ten minutes, then remove the positive to 
the feet and use negative pole as above stated. These appli- 
cations should be made once in every half hour, hour, or two 
hours, as the urgency of the symptoms seem to require. The 
faradic current is only to be used. 
Query.-If electricity acts as a stimulant to the systemic 
nervous system, producing contraction of the relaxed uterus, 
thereby arresting post-partum hemorrhage, when the woman 
seems to be in a moribund condition, will not the same action 
be manifested when other similar conditions exist ? It seems 
to me that there is only one answer to this interrogation. 
The following medicines may be used in connection with 
the electrical treatment : 
ty.-Tr. Capsicum gss. 
Tr. Opium gas. 
Tr. Rhubarb gss. 
Tr. Camphorated spts , gss. 
Sodea Bicarb 3SS- 
M. Sig.-One half teaspoonful for an adult every one or two 
hours until relieved. For children, five to ten drops. 
R.-Tr. Prickley Ash Berries gj. 
Compound Cajeput Mixture 3j- 
M. Sig.-Teaspoonful in a little sweetened water every one 
or two hours, or oftener, if the case requires it. 
During the active stage of the disease, nothing but the sim- 
plest drinks are allowed, and even of such liquids only small 
quantities are admissible at a time. Keep the extremities 
wrapped in warm flannels, etc. 
CHOLERA. 
95 DISEASES OF NERVOUS SYSTEM. 
NEURALGIA. 
The word neuralgia is unfortunately made an equivalent 
oftentimes for any kind of pain, the pathology of which we 
happen to be ignorant. The pains of rheumatism, gout, 
syphylis, spinal irritation, myalgia, etc., are often mistaken for, 
and confounded with true neuralgia, even by those who know 
better. There is perhaps no term which describes the disease 
so well as that used by Hammond-Neural Hyperesthesia. It 
is indeed a hyperesthetic condition, sometimes involving the 
whole course of a nerve, from its origin to its ultimate rami- 
fications, in others only affecting a small portion, either of the 
trunk of the nerve, or one of the fibrillary terminations. "The 
pathological condition causing this hyperesthesia may be, 
atrophy of the posterior root of the spinal nerve in which the 
pain is felt."-Anstee. 
The essential characteristics of this condition are: First. 
Pain, in which intense acuteness is out of all proportion to 
the constitutional disturbance, is intermitting or remitting in 
character. Second. Severely tender points at different places 
along the affected nerve enters or emerges from a facia, bone 
or muscle, with often partial anesthesia between these 
points. The special symptoms varying acording to the 
location of the nerve and parts supplied by it. That trans- 
missions of a strong electric current produce a condition an- 
alagous to neuralgia, which has been observed by several 
authors. Duchenne speaking of faradization of the terminal branches of nerves, says: "Consecutive to the treatment, 
some of the patients experienced deep seated pains in the 
course of the nerves, the extremities of which had been ex- 
cited by the faradic current." 
In every work on therapeutics we find the treatment of 
neuralgia more dwelt upon than any other disease except par- 
alysis ; and it is in this affection that electricity, as a remedy, 
has earned most of its laurels. I will here give the statements 
of a number of eminent authorities. Anstie remarks : "The 
constant current, as I now estimate it, is a remedy for 
neuralgia unapproached in power by any other, save only blis- 
tering and hypodermic injections of morphia, and even the 
latter is often surpassed by it in permanence of effect; while 
it is also applicable in not a few cases where blistering would 
be useless. That in the milder cases of hyperesthesia all the 
different forms of electricity may be usefully employed, but 
in the severe forms of it only the continuous current (galvanic) 
affords relief." Hammond's opinion is: "Above all local 
means, not only for relieving the pain of any particular par- 
oxysm, but also for effecting a permanent cure, electricity 
stands first. I have employed it in every possible form, and 
am satisfied that the primary galvanic current is the preferable 
agent." Beard and Rockwell express their estimation of the 
remedy in the following language: "The success achieved by 
electrization in the treatment of neuralgia has been brilliant 
and remarkable." Erb says: "Electricity, and especially the 
galvanic current, has been found to yield the most gratifying 
results in the so called idiopathic neuralgia, in most of those 
cases which are due to a rheumatic or neuritic process, and 
which have become habitual, the results are sometimes as- 
tonishing, so quickly do they appear by the continuous cur- 
rent." "In other cases, however, it is necessary to persevere 
in this mode of treatment for a long time, and with great reg- 
ularity, before a cure is effected." Most of these authors, 
however, admit two great secrets of success. First. The 
whole of the trunk, or as much as possible of the affected 
nerve should be included in the circuit. Second. Regularity 
NEURALGIA. 
97 98 
NEURALGIA. 
of applications, which in all cases ought to be repeated daily. 
All the facts that we can possibly gather are, that a strong- 
current of electricity, transmitted through a nerve in any di- 
rection causes a condition similar to neuralgia, and a weak 
current will cure neuralgia when occurring idiopathically. "In 
my own practice," says Dr. Butler, "I have observed the fol- 
lowing : First. That whatever form of current is used, only 
the very mildest intensities are curative. Second. That a 
large percentage of cases are curable by strict attention to 
this rule. Third. That high intensities of either form of 
current produce serious aggravations. Fourth. That a cer- 
tain proportion of cases yield to the galvanic current, that 
cannot be cured by the faradic, and vice versa. Fifth. That it 
is impossible always to tell before hand, which form of electricity 
will cure any given case, any more than we can tell the reme- 
dies indicated in all pathological conditions. Sixth. That there 
are undoubtedly a small portion of cases that will yield to 
neither forms of current administered alone, that will rapidly 
improve under a judicious alternation of the forms. Seventh. 
That where the nerve is deeply seated, electro-puncture of 
the sheath, or even of the nerve itself, becomes necessary, as 
otherwise recomposition takes place in the more superficial 
structures, without the current reaching the nerve at all." T 
report the following case as reported byAlthaus: "The pa- 
tient, aged 74, at the time he came under treatment, had 
been a sufferer from neuralgia for twenty-nine years. In this 
case a host of external and internal remedies had been used 
without effect. M. Nelaton had refused to perform an opera- 
tion, and so had Prof. Bruns. The induced current had been 
used as an 'electric moxa,' but without producing any benefit. 
In July, 1867, Prof. Niemyer used the constant current, con- 
necting the positive pole with a moistened conductor and the 
negative with a wire brush. After twenty such applications 
the pain was gone, and only a slight increase of sensibility re- 
mained in the upper lip. Some months afterwards there was 
a relapse, but this yielded to galvanism." The same author 
mentions a case of facial neuralgia cured by the faradic cur- NEURALGIA. 
99 
rent, after bleeding, blistering, purging and dosing had entirely 
failed, all of whichi he says, was given a fair trial. Anstie re- 
lates a case treated by Dr. Russell Reynolds, of a lady who 
had been the victim, for twenty years, of an extremely severe 
neuralgia of the ophthalmic division of the fifth nerve, which 
attacked her daily, and had caused great injury to her health 
and nutrition, was not merely benefitted, but absolutely re- 
moved at any rate for a long period by a single application of 
the galvanic current. Dr. R. J. Curtis says: "There is no 
fact in therapeutics better verified than the power of a low 
tension galvanic current to relieve pain. A high tension cur- 
rent has less power in this direction, and still less if it is inter- 
rupted, while the high tension faradic current, most useful in 
anaesthesia, has very little power to relieve pain, and in some 
conditions will increase it." Galvanism will relieve pain inde- 
pendently of its effect on the cause of pain. In fact, most 
pain remedies operate independently of the cause. It must 
be, however, that when pain, like sciatica, depends upon the 
disease of the nerve itself that the galvanic acts more or less 
by catalysis, upon the cause of the pain in the relief of the 
disease. The method by which galvanism acts, or the changes 
of a physical, chemical, or so called vital character which are 
produced in the tissues in the relief of pain are probably un- 
derstood better than the same action of drugs. The first 
effect of the current is a physical one, and operates on the 
molecules of the tissues. These effects of galvanism are cata- 
lytic, and it is by this action that electricity is so potent in re- 
lieving pain in neuralgia." 
Mode of Administering the Electrical Current.-Treat the 
affected part, or parts with positive pole, placing negative pole 
upon some healthy point, a little lower down than the part in 
pain. These applications should be continued for twenty or 
thirty minutes, and be repeated two or three times during the 
twenty-four hours if it is a severe case. 
Medical Treatment.-The patient requires quinine, iron, 
aconite, phosphorous and nutriment. These remedies are to 
be selected and administered as the condition of the patient 100 
CEREBRAL PARALYSIS. 
requires-whether he be plethoric or anemic. The object of the 
physician should be to understand the condition of his patient, 
and then only use those remedies which have an elective 
affinity for, and a direct action on the part or parts diseased. 
I have resorted to the inhalation of chloroform where other 
remedies did not seem to give speedy relief, especially when 
the pain was so intolerable that the patient was threatened 
with convulsions. 
The following I have taken from Butler's work on electro- 
therapeutics. "Hemiplegia, the most common form of this 
difficulty is the result of cerebral hemorrhage, embolism, or 
other mechanical interference by which the integrity of the 
great nervous center is impaired. The more profound the 
leison, the more complete will be the paralysis; and where 
the whole corpus striatum is destroyed, the hemiplegia of the 
opposite side of the body will be complete, permanent and in- 
curable. But in case of the rupture of a small blood-vessel, 
where a small amount of blood is effused, just sufficient by its 
pressure to interfere seriously with the functions of this part 
of the brain, without destroying it, then we may have com- 
plete hemiplegia, but not incurable. The clot of blood even- 
tually becomes absorbed, but before that much desired result 
has had time to take place, the paralysis continues to grow 
worse, and even though the primary leison be entirely re- 
moved, the paralysis remains, and the patient is unable to use 
his limbs. If, in a case of this kind, we find that the muscles 
do not respond to the stimulant action of the faradic current, 
but does to the galvanic, it is just the case to cure by electricity." 
"Commence with daily galvanic treatments, with just suf- 
ficient electro motive force to cause perceptible contractions, 
and soon the improvement will be apparent. The patient will 
begin to move the limb, at first slightly, and afterwards better 
CEREBRAL PARALYSIS. 101 
and better. The faradic irritability now becomes restored, 
and as it does, we must substitute that current for the galvanic, 
until the cure is completed, which it will be in time, varying 
in length according to the extent of the leison and duration of 
the disease previous to commencing the treatment." 
"But we will suppose another case-instead of finding the 
muscles flabby and wasted, we find an amount of permanent 
contraction, and that the electric contractility to both forms 
of current is perfect, but the paralysis remains to the will the 
same, then electricity is not indicated and consequently will 
not cure, nor even ameliorate." "There is no use persisting in 
it; it will only harrass the patient. We cannot cure a fever 
with aconite when the symptoms call for gelsemium and vera- 
trurn, nor can we cure any disease with any remedy that is 
not indicated by the condition of the patient. Where great 
relaxation of muscular fibre is present it will not do to ad- 
minister lobelia, gelsemium and tartar emetic with the hope of 
seeing those muscles assume a condition of contractility, nor 
vice versa." The proper use of electricity requires much 
more thought and study than any other remedy, because it has 
a larger range of therapeutic action than any other. The 
electro-therapeutist should understand the pathology of dis- 
ease-the basic leison of diseased action, before it is possible 
for him to be a successful electro-therapeutist, and without 
this knowledge he is liable to make some fatal mistakes. The 
ownership of a scalpel does not make a surgeon, nor does the 
ownership of a set of electrical instruments make an eletrician 
-far from it-both must have acquired skill in their special 
departments, and skill, every one knows, is only acquired by 
special talent, special education and special experience. 
Mode of Applying Electricity.-Apply positive pole at base 
of the brain, on the healthy side ; negative pole over the dis- 
eased part of the brain, five to ten minutes-very mild cur- 
rent. These applications should be made every day until we 
see marks of improvement, then every second or third day. 
Medical Treatment.-Keep the bowels open by means of 
mild cathartics. Strich. and phos. may be given as a com- 
CEREBRAL PARALYSIS. 102 
PERIPHERAL PARALYSIS. 
pound, or separately, as the condition of the patient requires. 
The patient should remain quiet, keep the head cool and the 
extremities warm. 
PERIPHERAL PARALYSIS. 
Perhaps the most important of all the paralysis coming 
under this heading is that known as facial paralysis. The 
portio dura is the nerve affected and when it is caused by ex- 
posure to cold, or rheumatism, or removable pressure, after 
the emergence of the nerve from the stylo mastoid foramen, it is 
curable by electricity provided very extensive atrophy has not 
yet taken place, and galvanic contractility is not entirely lost. 
But on the contrary, when the leison is in the aquaductus 
fallopii, or stylo mastoid foramen, and cannot be removed, 
then electricity will not benefit. The longer the disease has 
existed the greater will be the atrophy, the less response to 
the galvanic current, and the longer the treatment necessary. 
I say the galvanic current, as the faradic reaction becomes lost 
so early in the progress of the affection, that it cannot be taken 
into any practical account. The following case of Dr. Butler's 
is so much in harmony with my own observations that I will 
presentit: "A gentleman, aged 41, commercial traveler by 
occupation, had caught cold, which was followed by a face 
ache, with considerable swelling. When the acute symptoms 
subsided, he found that he was unable to close his left eye; 
that when he smiled, the mouth and whole face was drawn 
towards the right side ; that his food lodged between the gums 
and the cheek of the left side; he could not speak out or 
whistle. The alae of the left side of the nose was depressed, 
or, to use the patient's language, the left side of the nose had 
grown smaller. Even under these circumstance he was not 
alarmed, and did not apply to any physician, thinking his con- 
dition was only the result of the swelling of the face, and PERIPHERAL PARALYSIS. 
103 
would soon wear off. After the paralysis had continued six 
weeks he was sent to me for treatment. 1 found the con- 
tractility entirely gone, and the galvanic nearly so, and, not- 
withstanding that the disease had existed comparatively but a 
short time, all the muscles were considerably atrophied. 1 
gave a favorable prognosis provided the patient would submit 
to daily treatments. I treated him for three months with mild 
applications of galvanism to the affected nerve, and to the 
affected muscles- separately. At the end of that time, the 
faradic contractility returned slightly, I then alternated the 
use of this with the galvanic, for a month longer, after which I 
instructed the patient in the use of -the faradic, and ordered 
him to make applications twice a day, and call every week. 
In April he could close the eye, draw the mouth somewhat to- 
wards the affected side; the alae of the nose resumed its for- 
mer appearance; the food discontinued to lodge outside the 
gums; he could spit without dribbling; but he could not 
frown, and when he smiled the mouth was still drawn towards 
the affected side, showing that paralysis of the corrugator 
supercillii still remained, and that the risorius and zygomatics 
of the diseased side were not as strong as their fellows. He, 
however, steadily improved, and little later I dismissed him 
cured. Two other cases of facial paralysis, under treatment 
at the same time, recovered, one in three weeks, and the 
other in about four months." Other paralysis caused by 
peripheral lesions are amenable to electrical treatment. A 
common form is paralysis of the muscles of the arm from 
pressure on the brachial plexus. I had one case occur in a 
man who had to temporarily use a crutch on account of a 
broken leg, yield to a few seances of faradism. It is impossi- 
ble in a work of this kind, to enter into the detail of the dif- 
ferent locations liable to be attacked by paralysis, and the dif- 
ferent causes that may produce it. It would necessarily fill a 
volume twice as large as this. As far as the electrical treat- 
ment is concerned, and that is what we are interested in at 
present, we will generally find that if the muscles are not corp- 
pletely destroyed by atrophy, that the electric contractility is 104 
not lost, and the primary leison is capable of removal; that 
the paralysis is curable by a suitable form of electrization, and 
even in some cases where the contractility is lost, much good 
may be done by patient and long continued perseverance 
with the galvanic current alternated by the faradic. Always 
remembering in forming a prognosis that the probable length 
of treatment necessary is always proportional to the length of 
time the disease has existed. It is well, also, to recollect that 
each muscle and nerve must be acted upon separately. Shoot- 
ing into the bush to kill the bird will not do ; we may make a 
hit, but we are more likely to make misses. We should bear 
the motor points well in mind, and the attachment and inser- 
tion of the muscles, as well as their relative positions. Do 
not fatigue the enervated parts by long and protracted seances. 
We should always bear in mind the maxim of Duchenne, 
"Electricity, if applied to a nerve or muscle for too long a time 
or in too full a dose, may increase, or even produce paralysis 
or neuralgia, instead of curing either." In all cases, electricity 
constitutes the, and sometimes the only plan of treatment. 
Either the faradic or galvanic current may be employed ac- 
cording as the muscles respond to one or the other; and also 
according as the nerve centers be in a hypersemic or amemic 
condition (positive or negative). The cause of the paralysis 
is to be known before we apply such a potent agent as elec- 
tricity with the hope of receiving its full curative action. 
Treatment is of but very little avail when the paralysis is due 
to an inter-cranial or inter-spinal affection. If there should 
be irritation upon which the paralysis depends, the galvanic 
current is the only one from which we may expect to receive 
any benefit. The positive pole applied to the nerve centers, 
and the negative to the peripheries. But if there is anemia of 
the cord, the faradic current should be administered, the nega- 
tive pole to the nerve centers, and the positive pole to the 
peripheries. These applications should be repeated every 
day until there is some improvement, after which two or three 
times a week. To assist the galvanic current, we would 
administer such remedies that would deplete the blood- 
PERIPHERAL PARALYSIS. vessels of the part. But if aenemia of the cord exist, to 
assist the faradic current we would administer phosphorous, 
nux vom. and iron, with nutritious diet. Salt water baths 
are most excellent to stimulate the peripheries, and thereby 
increase the nutritive processes. 
SPINAL PARALYSIS. 
105 
SPINAL PARALYSIS. 
A case of paralysis consequent upon hyperemia or anemia 
of the cord, concussion of the spine or any cause that tempo- 
rarily interferes with the functions of the cord, where atrophy 
of the muscles has not progressed to absolute destruction, and 
where the primary cause of the paralysis has been to some 
extent removed, or is removable, is one in which we would 
expect a favorable result from electrization of the muscles and 
spinal cord itself. In cases occurring from the same causes 
in which but little atrophy has taken place, and in which elec- 
tric contractility is tolerably perfect, galvanization of the spine 
will speedily restore to a healthy condition without having to 
touch the affected muscles at all. But in cases of fractures, 
caries of the spine, tumors pressing upon the cord, or any dis- 
ease that destroys the cord, we have a paralysis that we may 
look upon as permanent, although in such a case we may do 
much to relieve the sufferings of a patient temporarily by the 
proper use of electricity. We may relieve, or even for a time 
entirely check incontinence of urine by faridazation of the par- 
alyzed bladder, or involuntary stools by applications to rectum 
and anus. 
"In infantile spinal paralysis, which is generally due to in- 
flammatory softening of the anterior portion of the gray spinal 
substance, the result of exposure to cold, damp, etc., electricity 
stands unrivaled as a remedy. This form of paralysis is gen- 
erally ushered by a chill, a convulsion or slight febrile condi- 106 
tion with pain in the back at the seat of the primary leison. 
After a few days it is noticed that the child cannot stand or 
walk, and if the leison is high up in the spine, cannot use its 
hands. After this the disease rapidly progresses to atrophy 
unless checked by electricity and proper medication." 
RHEUMATIC PARALYSIS. 
RHEUMATIC PARALYSIS. 
Another large category of peripheral paralysis is that 
which is due to so-called rheumatic or atmospheric influence, 
and is known as rheumatic paralysis. The parts most com- 
monly attacked are the deltoid, trapezius and biceps, next 
the extension muscles of the forearm. It is usually unat- 
tended with pain or other sensory disturbances, and the 
duration of the disease generally varies according to the 
electrical reactions. 
Electrical Treatment.-Direct treatment with the faradic 
current to the affected muscles, even in old standing cases, 
repeated two or three times a week is the treatment given 
with entire success, that had resisted various kinds of meas- 
ures previous to their coming under the care of the electri- 
cian. 
Althaus expresses himself thus: "There is no kind of 
paralysis in which the therapeutical effects of faradization 
are so striking as in rheumatic paralysis, in which affection 
it cannot be replaced by any purely medicinal treatment. This 
applies to protracted and severe cases which have resisted a 
variety of energetic medicinal measures." 
FINIS. I ND EX 
Page. 
Acute (Inflammatory) Rheumatism 64 
Amenorrhea 86 
Arnica -- 60 
Basic Leison of Croup , 61 
Batteries J- 25 
Cerebral Paralysis 100 
Cholera -- 91 
Cholera Infantum 66 
Chronic Ovaritis 88 
Diphtheria 71 
Diseases of Nervous System 96 
Dysmenorrhea 89 
Electricity-What is It? 3 
Electricity, Galvanism, Magnetism and Nervous Fluid one and the 
same thing 10 
Electricity-What it Does 7 
Electro-Physiology 10 
Electro-Pathology - 14 
Electro-Therapeutics 20 
Electro-Physics 22 
Electro-Allotropic Physiology , 33 
Electricity-How it Removes Morbid Processes 78 
Elective Use of Electricity , 36 
Inflammatory Diseases 47 
Inflammatory Sore Eyes ' , 70 
Kidder's Electro-Medical Machines 40 
Medicine Never Heals a Disease, 20 
Mucous Croup 60 
Men of Great Ability who are Defenders of Electricity as a Medici- 
nal Agent 45 
Neuralgia 96 
Of Some of the Causes of Inflammation 51 
Peripheral Paralysis 102 
Phosphorous - 59 
Physiological Qualities of Electricity 31 
Pleuro-Pneumonia ___ 53 
Pneumonia 51 
Pseudo-Membraneous Croup 61 
Spasmodic Croup 62 
Special Electro-Therapeuties 43 
There is One Thing we Should Remember 62 
Typhoid Pneumonia 56 
Uses of Electricity in Obstetrics and Gynecology 84 
Uterine Hemorrhage 87 
Uterus and its Appendages 84 
Velocity of Electricity 6 SEWARD COUNTY BANK 
SEWARD, NEBRASKA. 
J. N. EDWARDS, D. K. SPACHT, 
President. Cashier. 
Does a general banking business. 
Loans made for Eastern parties. 
Collections promptly attended to. 
Location.-Seward Countj' Court House, Seward St. 
Address, 
BOX 40, 
SEWARD COUNTY. SEWARD, NEBRASKA. 
C. M. LEIGHTON & COMPHNY,~ 
■ LINCOLN, NEBRASKA. 
WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS, 
TIEALEBS IXT 
SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND APPLIANCES. 
Pure Wines and Liquors, bought Especially for Medical 
Purposes. 
OF ELEXIES. McIntosh galvanic and faradic battery co., 
MANUFACTURERS OF THE CELEBRATED 
McIntosh Combined Galvanic and Faradic Batteries 
Table, Office and Family Batteries, Electrodes, Electric Bath Apparatus, 
Statical Electric Machines, Stereopticons; Solar, Monocular 
and Binocular- Microscopes. 
Physicians or Hospitals wanting new Apparatus, will do well to favor us with 
correspondence and obtain estimate. Men of Scientific experience have 
charge of the manufacturing department. We employ the most 
skillful mechanics, and have the largest facilities in Amer- 
ica for manufacturing. 
We would call the Special Attention of the Medical Profession to our 
COMBINED GALVANIC AND FARADIC BATTERIES. 
STeries are recommended by the 
ty of both America and Europe, 
n adopted by the United States 
or use in Medical department of 
Navy. They are 
E FIRST AND ONLY 
BATTERIES EVER INVENTED 
SIGH GIVE BOTH THE 
LVANIC AND FARADIC 
CURRENT. 
TWO DISTINCT BATTERIES 
IN ONE CASE. 
NO PHYSICIAN CAN AFFORD 
TO BE WITHOUT ONE. 
This Celebrated Battery is constructed on an improved plan. The zincs and 
carbons are fastened to hard rubber plates in sections of six each; this manner 
of connecting brings the plates nearer together than any other battery, thus 
giving less internal resistance. The cells are composed of one piece of hard 
rubber, and are made'in sections of six each with a dip-cup, thus one section 
can be handled, emptied and cleaned as easily and quickly as one cell. The 
dip-cup Is to receive the elements when the battery is not in use. This is the 
only battery in which the zi^ic and carbon plates can be kept clean and always 
in order by simply rinsing them. 
An extra large cell (with a zinc and carbon element) is added to the combined 
batteries for the purpose of producing the Faradic current. This cell gives as 
much force as is ever needed, and avoids exhausting the current from the Gal- 
vanic cells. All the metal work is finely nickel-plated and highly polished, and 
every part is put together so that it can be easily replaced by the operator. Our 
batteries weigh less, occupy less space, than any other battery manufactured. 
Our Illustrated Catalogue, a handsome book giving full description of all our 
goods, and other valuable information, sent free on application. 
McIntosh galvanic and faradic battery company, 
192 & 194 JACKSON STREET, CHICAGO, ILL. PRRKE OMIS COMPANY 
I 
MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS, 
Manufacture a full line of standard pharmaceutical preparations, including 
those that are officinal in the United States and Foreign pharmacopoeias, and 
such as are not thus recognized but whose value is attested by the experience of 
the medical profession. These preparations comprise: 
Fluid Extracts, Sugar-Coated Pills, Gelatin-Coated Pills, Solid Ex- 
tracts, Abstracts (Powdered Extracts,) Pink Granules, Concentra- 
tions, Effervescing Salts, Medicated Lozenges, Roll Plas- 
ters, Spread Plasters, Glyceroles, German Tinctures, 
Elixirs, Wines, Syrups, Collodions, Ointments, Cerates. 
These preparations are made after the latest and most approved methods and 
are in every respect up to the recognized standards of pharmaceutical excell- 
ence and medicinal strength. 
SPECIALTIES. 
NORMAL LIQUIDS. By this name are known assayed fluid extracts. They 
comprise such drugs as have a distinct active principle in the form of an alka- 
loid or resinoid, and are guaranteed to be of uniform strength and not subject 
to variations in the strength of the crude drug. They are as definite and con- 
stant in their strength as morphine, quinine or other alkaloids, and are a desi- 
deratum in medicine. 
EMPTY CAPSULES. These capsules are made of the finest French gelatin, 
and challenge comparison in all those particulars which commend this un- 
equaled device for the exhibition of bitter and nauseous drugs. 
SOLUBLE ELASTIC AND HARD FILLED CAPSULES. The former of 
these are so soft and elastic that their walls may be approximated without rup- 
ture and yet regain their original shape when the pressure is removed. As a 
means of administering nauseous oils, balsams, etc., these capsules are unequal- 
ed. The list comprises the majority of such balsams and oils in use, and range 
in size from 10 minims to a half ounce. 
NEW REMEDIES. The enterprise of introducing to the profession drugs, 
particularly from the vegetable kingdom, which had escaped attention, may be 
said to have been inaugurated by Parke, Davis & Co. They were the first to con- 
duct such introduction after a system, and are, indeed, still the only house thus 
intelligently and systematically engaged. They are, by common consent, the 
headquarters for all matters pertaining to the newer materia medica. For full 
information on this subject send to them for literature. 
Parke, Davis & Co's. list of specialties comprises, in addition to the above, the 
following: 
Pepsin, Pancreatin, Cascara Cordial, Chlor-Anodyne, Nitrite of 
Amyl Pearls, Sanguis Bovinus Exsiccatus, Pressed Herbs, 
Dialyzed Iron, Compressed Troches. 
WARBURG'S TINCTURE, OZONIZED AROMATIC 
LIQ UID, 
SOLUTION CHLORIDE OF BROMINE 
COMPOUND, ETC. 
Laboratory and Main Office, 
XJETEaOIT, HICHIG-A1T, XX. S. uA.. 
New York Branch: 60 Maiden Lane and 21 Liberty St., NEW YORK, N. Y. ATCHISON, - - - - KANSAS. 
TOEBEBSC~ 
DRUGS* AND* SURGICAL 
INSTRUMENTS!- 
fine 
SENT UPON RECEIPT OF TWENTY-FIVE CENTS TO PAY POSTAGE. 
CoixesponoLence Solicited.. 
COMPLETE STOCK. BEST GOODS. LOWEST PRICES. 
Jk. EZ. TOTTEK, 
^DRUGGIST*AND*PMARMAeiST^ 
SEWARD, - - - - NEBRASKA. . 
xxr 
e©©0® ^©©eo $©0©° ®©0©o ' 
ALSO 
3/VA/V CvVvX cV/WoW^JvL 
FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES. Dr. JEROME KIDDER'S 
ELECTRO-MEDICAL APPARATUS. 
■ For which he has receiv- 
ed Fetters Patent for mark- 
ed and decided improve- 
ments which render them 
/JlBi ilf i superior to all and any other 
/« ' apparatus, and also Highest 
renunm A warded by 
/American Institute, for the 
/ l|! years 1872 to 1882 inclusive, 
/JflS§55&SBsSK^ and whenever and wherever 
■ifSS If 
. ® Gold Medal to distinguish 
VrRmNI H 18 l|^ll■Btep his apparatus as "of the first 
U- P'.i 1 i S3 \'h'; 'I .'■ bji order of importance." Awar- 
W »B W ded, also the Highest Prem- 
ium at the Centennial Ex- 
__ AAV'1 iU/'-T7'' 1 'L/ A' . hibition, 187G, and 2 Silver 
. Upp Medals at Cincinnati Indus- 
f '4SS5*®* trial Exposition in the fall 
of 1881 and 1882, also Silver 
Medal at Charleston, S. C., 
Exposition fall of 1882. Highest awards given for Electric Machines. 
)g^"Please note the following names of the apparatus for which the 
Gold Medal was awarded to Dr. Kidder in 1875, to distinguish them as 
of the first order of importance. 
Dr. KIDDER'S IMPROVED No. 1, 
Physician's Office Electro-Medical Apparatus. 
Dr. KIDDER'S IMPROVED No. 2, 
Physician's Visiting Machine, with turn down Helix. 
Dr. KIDDER'S IMPROVED No. 3, 
Physician's Visiting Machine, another form. 
Dr. KIDDER'S IMPROVED No. 4, 
Office and Family Machine. 
Dr. KIDDER'S IMPROVED No. 5, 
Tip Battery, Ten Current Machine. (See Cut.) 
toj 
The latter discontinuing the action by tipping the jar, the solution falling 
away from the elements. This is the Ne plus ultra and the most perfect and con- 
venient Electro-Medical Apparatus ever made, and is the invention of Dr. Je- 
rome Kidder. 
Also Galvanic Batteries from 12 to 86 cells, various prices. Galvano Caustic 
Batteries, and an Improved Pocket Induction Apparatus. 
All other parties claiming highest premium for above mentioned are Fraud- 
ulent, being made to deceive the public. 
To distinguish these genuine send for Illustrated Catalogue. 
Address, 
JEROME KIDDER MANUFACTURING CO., 
826 Broadway, NEW YORK. ALOE, BERNSTEIN & CO./ 
IMPORTERS OF MANUFACTURERS OF 
Surgical, Electrical and Optica 
-1 INSTRUMENTS H 
300 North 4th Street, - St. Louis, Missouri. 
1!^ 
IITai • 
HIMJ® 
WKf||J« 
ALOE & BERNSTEIN'S IMPROVED PHYSICIAN'S BATTERY, 
$25.00. 
We have the largest stock of any House in the West or South. 
Our Batteries are used by the Leading Profession in the Western 
Country. 
O^SEXD FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE.^ KIDDER'S EXTRA APPLIANCES. 
{ 
J. / 
' V 1 1 
wrigy 
No. 1.-Improved Sponge Holder. 
i t 
rQ . £ q 
" X J 2 
r q JX ® 2- 
M $ w 
/j W 'O S 
1$ A <D A' u* W® 
| M S M ® II E S 
§ w M £ 11 s« 
J < § W ■ M - 
7 I ? » s W §■» 
5 I I a | O 
uHhL 
UI ®1' 
No. 7.-Uterine Electrode. 
No. 8.-Vagina] Electrode. r™ / S t 
! f 
No. 9.-Universal Handle. _ 
n >< I onT 
<11 1 ! 
No. 10.-Eustachean Ear Electrode. 
©S ■ Ml 
1 1 ' 
- I No. 13. 
w/ • ^''!U-L^=^™==.-__- 
No. 12. 
No. 11. 
Nos. 11, 12, 13.-Various forms of Holders of Needles for Electrolysis. 
The batteries and appliances for electro-therapeutic purposes, advertised in 
this work, iurnished at manufacturers prices, on receipt of price, or may be or- 
dered C. O. D. Address, T. H. "WOOZ2 w^xax), z^r. X)., 
Sewasd, XT eToxetslnab. CHARLES BAND, M. D,, 
CRETE, - - NEBRKSM. 
Wholesale and Retail Druggist, 
UEALEB TXT 
DRUGS, MEDICINES, SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS 1 APPLIANCES, 
Which will be furnished at wholesale prices as low as can be bought at the 
wholesale houses in the east, with freight added. 
Pure Wines and Liquors bought especially for Medical Purposes. 
Prescriptions Carefully Compounded Day or Night. 
Feeling grateful for such a liberal patronage in the past, I would ask a con- 
tinuance of the same in the future. 
«sCHSRLESlBKND«MtD>- 
PHYS1CIAN & SURGEON. 
A REGULAR GRADUATE OF TWO MEDICAL COLLEGES, 
Has been in the practice of Medicine twenty-six years, during that time he has 
successfully treated thousands of cases, and by his success and skill in 
these cases has won for himself a National reputation as a Medical 
man. He treats all Chronic Diseases, especially 
DISEASES WFtWOMENONDGCHILDRENH 
Curable cases guaranteed; where doubt exists it is frankly stated. Dr. Band 
will visit any part of the State in consultation. 
OFFICE IN BAND'S OPERA HOUSE, 
dSTST'E, -------- 1TEBSASKA. aOBMOK9! I©©® 
FOE 
INFANTS, DYSPEPTICS AND INVALIDS. 
Made according to Liebeg's Formula. 
THE ONLY PERFECT SUBSTITUTE FOR MOTHER'S MILK. 
Contains no Starch, requires no cooking. 
For sale by Druggists everywhere. 
Price, 8 oz. 40 Cents; 18 oz. 75 Cents. 
Sample can sent FREE to any Physician. 
Address HORLICK'S FOOD CO., Racine, Wis. 
ESTABLISKEID 1876. 
. «CYRUS*CMPIN^ 
PIANOS, ORGANS, SHEET MUSIC, STRINGS, 
AND EVERY VARIETY OF 
MUSICAL MERCHANDISE 
ALSO HEADQUARTERS FOR ALL KINDS OF 
^SEWING MACHINES AND FINDINGS^ 
Including the Light Running "DOMESTIC," and SINGER. 
Agent for the celebrated Paganini Model Violin. Sent to any address C. O. D. 
subject to approval, with complete outfit, including wood case, Brazil wood bow, 
etc., for S15.00. / 
Corresporxa.ence Solicitea.. , „ 
Office and Salesroom North Side of Square, 
itebkaska. THE 
■ ECLECTIC tMEDOI> 
J © U* H U @9 
PUBLISHED AT INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, 
Prof. A. J. SMITH, M. D., 
351 soTriia: ZDZErj-^-sxr-^iEaiE steeet. 
One of the most progressive Journals in the land. De- 
voted entirely to the wants of the practitioner throughout the 
country. 
Fearless and Independent. 
A medium through which Physicians of all schools may 
have an interchange of thought. 
Price $1.50 per Year. Send for Sample Copy. 
The Journal will be sent one year with Dr. Woodward's 
Electro-Therapeutics 
EOH $3.00. ECLECTIC medical department 
OF THE 
^University of Nebrsskr^ 
- LINCOLN, NEB. 
ABOARD OF REGENTS^ 
HON. C. A. HOLMES, - Tecumseh 
HON. N. R. PERSINGER, - - - Central City 
HON. J. L. GANNETT, - Omaha 
HON. C. H. GERE, - - - Lincoln 
HON. L. B. FIFIELD, - - - - Fairmont 
HON. H. C. MERRITT, - - - O'Neil City 
OFFICERS OF THE BOARD. 
HON. CHAS. A. HOLMES, - - - President 
J. S. DALES, Esq., - Secretary FACULTY. 
W. S. LATTA, M.D., Dean, 
Professor of the Principles and Practice of Medicine. 
J. H. WOODWARD, M.D., 
Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics. 
IRA VAN CAMP, M.D., 
Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children. 
A. J. SHAW, M.D., 
Professor of Gynaecology. 
J. H. WOODWARD, M.D., 
Professor of Electro- Therapeutics. 
H. H. NICHOLSON, A.M., 
Professor of Chemistry. 
HON. O. P. MASON, 
Professor of Medical Jurisprudence. 
A. R. MITCHELL, M.D.,* 
Professor of Anatomy {Descriptive and Surgical.} 
H. B. LOWREY, A.M., M.D.,* 
Professor of Physiology. 
PAUL GROSSMAN, M.D.,* 
Professor of Surgery and Surgical Pathology. 
L. B. GRADDY, M.D.,* 
Professor of Diseases of the Eye and Ear. 
N. J. BEACHLY, M.D.,* 
Demonstrator of Anatomy. 
* Those marked with a star belong to the regular Allopathic school. The Board 
of Regents regarded it as unnecessary to appoint professors from the different 
schools to fill the chairs of Anatomy, Physiology, and Surgery, because of the 
uniformity of teachings in these branches; hence all the medical students are 
required to attend the same lectures. If, however, for any reason these lectures 
shall be deemed inadequate, adjunct professors will be appointed to supply the 
deficiency.