TREATMEN.i^|yr* 
ULCERS BY ELECTRICITY. 
Y BY 
ALEX. MURRAY, M.D., L.R.C.S. EDIN., ETC. 
Having alluded incidentally to the local treatment of ulcers 
by electricity,* it may not be out of place to say a few words 
generally in regard to the mode in which it should be em- 
ployed. 
Before we begin the treatment, it is well to cleanse the 
ulcerated surface thoroughly with warm water and soap, and 
dry with a piece of old linen or soft sponge. We should then 
apply a disk of platinum, silver, or zinc connected with the 
positive pole of the battery, directly to the base and sides of the 
ulcer, closing the circuit by an electrode previously covered 
with clean linen and well moistened with warm water. The 
electrode should be applied to the edges and around the ulcer 
for five or six minutes. After this, we should use for a minute or 
two longer both poles labile around the sore, to the extent of 
an inch or more, in order to modify malnutrition and stimulate 
the enfeebled capillary circulation, as well as to electrolyze 
the callous and infiltrated tissues surrounding the ulcer, and 
to promote absorption of the exudations. 
Should a case of noma pudendi, cancroid, sloughing ulcer, 
etc., present itself, I use occasionally as an auxiliary with 
electricity, a saturated solution of chlorate of potassium, dilute 
nitric, sulphuric, or hydrochloric acid. I prefer, however, to 
use the dilute mineral acids, on account of their astringent and 
* Part of a paper on the Construction, Use, Mode of Application, etc., of 
the Galvanic Nipple-Shield. 2 
chemical properties. I cover the bottom of the ulcer with a 
little lint, cotton-wool, or granulated sponge, and then wet the 
sponge with ‘whatever agent the nature of the case may require, 
and apply the metal disk directly to the saturated material, 
and while I keep one electrode stationary for a few moments in 
the ulcer, I work the second conductor slowly around the 
diseased part. I maintain this mode of treatment daily for a 
few applications, or until the recuperative process is manifest in 
the ulcer. 
It is unnecessary for me to give here a detailed account of the 
electro-chemical changes which take place at each pole when 
applied to ulcers, especially when using the various remedial 
agents mentioned. It will be sufficient for my purpose to 
remark, that if I wish to use a powerful diffusive agent in a 
nascent state, such as the chloride of zinc, chlorine, oxygen, etc., 
1 have the immediate means at command. 
By this method of treatment, and in some special cases also, 
the advantages of both electricity and topical medication are com- 
bined, and are in direct application to the diseased part, and 
thus we are furnished with reasons to expect more decided and 
beneficial results than could be hoped for by a single remedy. 
I avoid generally, after local galvanization, all greasy applica- 
tions to ulcers, and employ as a dressing a little lint, dry or wet 
with the solution of chlorinated soda, pure or diluted with 
water. Occasionally, if the ulcer is small and well filled with 
good, even healthy granulations, I allow nature to take her 
course in forming a sound cicatrix. This is done by exposing 
the ulcer to the oxidizing influence of the air for a short time. 
When treating ulcers by the electrolytical method, speedy 
and better results can be obtained by applying the galvanic 
current as strong as can be comfortably borne, keeping the poles 
close to each other for five or six minutes in and around the 
ulcerated part, and by having a seance once or twice a day until 
there is a decided manifestation of a healing process visible, 
when every third or fourth day will be sufficient for a sitting. 
Should an exuberant growth of granulations spring up in the 
ulcer, an electrode of silver or platinum connected with the 
negative pole should be applied directly to the spongy mass, and 3 
the circuit closed on the adjacent parts, and then a strong bat- 
tery current should be employed, but not too powerful to 
cause pain, until the granulations present a smooth, shrunken, 
and seared appearance, as if they had been slightly cauterized 
with a hot iron. After this effect is produced the poles should 
be reversed, and the seance finished with the positive pole in the 
ulcer for two or three minutes longer. 
1 have noticed when treating ulcers, particularly open buboes, 
with the negative pole by means of a metallic conductor in the 
sore, that the effect of the action of the pole is somewhat similar 
to that produced by the local use of the peroxide of hydrogen. 
Fistula in ano, when free from any complication, can be 
successfully treated by introducing an electrode of platinum 
(a silver probe will answer) into the fistulous canal, and into 
the rectum a scoop of Avood or hard rubber. The circuit 
should be closed by the application of a well-moistened chamois- 
covered disk on the neighboring parts, and moved slowly around 
and over the fistulous canal in a labile maimer. The object 
of using the scoop when the fistula is complete, is to allow the 
free end of the metal electrode, when inserted in the sinus, to 
rest against it. By this means we can avoid causing unneces- 
sary irritation or pain in the rectum during the application. 
The rectal scoop is not required when the fistula is incomplete, 
with the opening external. The advantages of this simple 
and bloodless method of operating are, that it does not need 
any preparatory treatment, or cause hemorrhage, inflammation, 
nor absence from business. The fistula neither requires dress- 
ing, nor is constipation of the bowels necessary after the 
operation. One application of galvanism is generally sufficient 
to close the abnormal canal in a few days. 
The seance should not be longer than from eight to ten min- 
utes when insensibility is rendered by ether, etc. A strong bat- 
tery current shoidd be applied, using the negative pole in the 
sinus for five or six minutes, and then the poles should be reversed, 
and the positive employed in the fistula during the remainder 
of the sitting; or we may use an application as strong as can 
be comfortably borne for twenty minutes’ duration without the 
aid of an anaesthetic. 4 
Plated electrodes should not be used on moist or ulcerated 
surfaces when attached to the positive pole, unless we specially 
wish to form an oxide of the metal employed. With a nega- 
tive connection, however, there is no objection whatever to 
their use. 
As a rule, I would recommend generally the use of platinum 
or gold, and especially when we desire ozonization. When the 
positive pole is formed of any oxidizing metal, ozone is not 
formed, and the electrode is quickly oxidized. 
Dr. Altliaus has ascertained, when experimenting on the 
different animal tissues and fluids of the body by electrolysis, 
that oxygen, acids, and albumen are accumulated at the posi- 
tive pole, and hydrogen and alkalies at the negative pole. 
These agents give the key for further scientific research. 
Ozone is supposed to be an intensified or an allotropic 
modification of oxygen, and is one of the most powerful oxidiz- 
ing agents we possess ; it has a peculiar odor, which somewhat 
resembles weak chlorine. Antozone is also an active condition 
of oxygen ; it unites with water, and is strongly oxidizing in its 
action. Oxygen is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. Chlo- 
rine is a yellowisli-green gas of a peculiar suffocating odor. 
When treating a large indolent ulcer, situated on the lower 
extremity, by galvanism, with the positive pole in the sore, I 
could easily detect the odor of ozone as evolved. 
This fact induced me to subject to galvanization a piece of 
lean raw beef, with both poles placed about half an inch from 
each other. I employed plates of platinum, as this metal forms 
the best electrode for electrolytic purposes. 
At the anode positive pole) the ozone odor emitted was 
manifest in a marked degree to the sense of smell, while at the 
cathode a fleshy odor only was perceptible. 
I did not wdsh to trust altogether to the sense of smell ; but 
was anxious to ascertain its presence beyond a doubt by chemi- 
cal reagents. The following are the methods I employed when 
experimenting for ozone. I selected a portion of perfectly 
fresh beef, free from fat, for each test. Meat that had been 
kept on ice, or with the least tainted odor, should not be used; 
for though we may succeed with every reagent employed to- 5 
day, we could not perhaps with the same meat obtain a satisfac- 
tory result on the following day. 
I submitted a portion of a healthy placenta to galvanization. 
In a few moments the odor of ozone was perceptible in every 
part of my office, and at the same time I noticed that there was 
also a large quantity of hydrogen evolved at the negative pole, 
with occasional mimic explosions beneath the disk, scattering 
a bloody froth in all directions. The free elimination of both 
hydrogen and ozone in this instance was to me remarkable, and 
was in quantity about five or six times as much as I could obtain 
from a piece of beef of the same size. 
The large quantity of oxygen contained in the placenta is 
evidently intended for the special purpose of further oxygena- 
tion of the maternal blood while passing through the placenta 
to the infant. 
When ozone is specially prepared, and in its purity, we meet 
with no difficulties when testing. But with the methods I have 
adopted a few extraneous agents are developed at the same time 
with ozone by the electrolytic action of the positive pole. These 
substances would necessarily interfere more or less with the 
character of the tests employed; while the small quantity of 
ozone sometimes evolved would not be sufficient to characterize 
satisfactorily a few of the tests ; as, for instance, with indigo, a 
very weak solution should be employed. 
The instrument I used when experimenting was a zinc carbon 
battery of thirty-two cells, manufactured by the Galvano-Faradic 
Company. 
Method 1. 
After electrolyzation of the beef, and the removal of the 
metal conductors, I laid a piece of white bibulous paper, pre- 
viously impregnated with a solution of iodide of potassium, and 
then pressed the paper gently with porcelain buttons against 
the electrolyzed portions of the meat for a few moments, when 
a brown stain was produced on the paper, oxidizing the potas- 
sium and setting the iodine free. By this method of testing 6 
I found a few agents satisfactory, while others gave only a 
faint indication of ozone. 
Method II. 
Upon a glass plate I placed a piece of bibulous paper satu- 
rated with a reagent, and over the paper a thin slice or shaving 
of raw beef, lastly the platinum plates. I then employed a strong 
galvanic current for a few minutes., I expected by this method 
that as soon as the ozone was evolved, and from its diffusive 
character, a sufficient portion would at least penetrate the meat, 
and come in contact with the prepared test-paper. Most of the 
tests employed by this mode of experimenting gave satisfactory 
results. 
On a piece of raw beef I applied a strip of thick white blotting- 
paper (about one-third the width of the conductor), and over it 
the metal disks. 1 had my tests, etc., at hand, and as soon as the 
ozone odor was developed I removed the conductors and imme- 
diately brushed the surface of the paper, which had been allowed 
to remain on the meat, with a test solution. By this proceeding 
the blotting-paper was impregnated with ozone sufficient to 
characterize satisfactorily whatever test I chose to employ. 
In treating ulcers I have also applied the above method of 
testing. 
Method III. 
Method IV. 
I placed a piece of beef on the bottom of a small glass jar, 
and over it the metal disks, and securely covering the vessel, 
allowed only the wires of the conductors to be exposed outside, 
to form the connections with the battery. The test-papers were 
suspended from the inside of the cover, directly over the elec- 
trodes. This method gave very unsatisfactory results. 
“ Necessity is the mother of invention.” I may not have em- 
ployed the most scientific method of ascertaining the presence 
of this odoriferous agent; however, such as it is, I am convinced 
of one fact, that I have discovered that ozone is evolved by the 
electrolytic action of the positive pole when appfiied directly 
to ulcers. I feel assured in saying of this discovery that it will 
have a very important and practical bearing, and aid us also to 7 
arrive at a more definite and scientific basis, as to which pole 
we should employ directly in the treatment of diseases by elec- 
trolysis. I find no reference whatever regarding its use or 
mode of application in any work on electro-therapeutics which 
I have consulted. I am aware that ozone is derived by the ac- 
tion of the ordinary electrical machine, and evolved when we 
strike together the metal conductors of a galvanic battery in 
operation, by chemical action, etc. 
Ozone. 
Tests: 
Sensibly manifest to the 
sense of smell. 
Positive pole. 
Negative pole. 
1. Odor 
2. Iodide of potassium and starch.. 
Purplish shade of deep 
blue. 
Fleshy odor. 
No visible 
change. 
3. Iodide of potassium 
Brown color. 
No change. 
4. Tincture of guaiacum 
A beautiful shade of light 
greenish blue. 
Yellow, soon changes to 
a bright greenish blue. 
Orange yel- 
low. 
5. Ferrocyauide of potassium 
6 Litmus paper, slightly reddened. Bright red. Blue. 
7. Blue litmus Reddened. No change. 
8. Indigo Decolorized. No change. 
9. Silver leaf Oxidized. No change. 
No change. 
Galvanism, when employed in the treatment of ulcers, pos- 
sesses many important and decided advantages which are 
wanting in the usual local remedies daily in use. It is easily 
applied, and by no means a painful remedy. Its action is vari- 
ous, that is to say, it is electrolytic, catalytic, and thermal. 
The elements evolved by the decomposing power of the posi- 
tive pole, especially when the conductor is formed of an unoxi- 
dizable metal, and applied directly to the ulcer, possess the 
following properties: stimulant, antiseptic, disinfectant, de- 
odorizing, oxidizing, besides possessing the power of coagulat- 
ing blood and albumen, as well as promoting absorption of 
the abnormal secretions. 
It matters little in the surgical treatment of ulcers what the 
nature of the agent or agents may be, their action when devel- 
oped by electrolysis, or whether its beneficial effect are due 
more to the primary or secondary chemical results which occur 
in the ulcer during the application ; it is sufficient for our pur- 
pose when we have the practical fact, that ulcers heal rapidly 
after its application, generally in about one-sixth the time ordi- 
narily consumed by the usual methods of treatment. 8 
The flabby livid-colored granulations which are usually found 
in indolent ulcers, after one or two applications of galvanism, 
are soon changed to a healthy flesh or rose color. 
To this method of treatment I would give the name Gal- 
vano-ozonization, a term which fully characterizes its nature. 
I am sanguine enough to believe that we have no single 
remedy or mode of treatment with which I am acquainted dur- 
ing the thirty years I have been engaged in practice, which can 
be compared to the galvano-ozonic method when properly ap- 
plied to ulcers. The latter usually heal in one, two, or three 
weeks, when by other methods they frequently take as many 
months or more to accomplish. 
This form of application does not interfere with any other 
kind of treatment, local or constitutional, but, on the contrary, 
allows ns to use whatever means the case may require. 
Of the electrolytical treatment of malignant ulcers I cannot 
say as much as regards galvanization alone. My experience of 
this class of diseases is too limited to give a decided opinion. ()f 
one fact, however, I am certain, it will have a soothing effect, so 
as to relieve acute pain, and aid considerably whatever local 
or constitutional treatment may be employed. 13ut this is 
effected through the direct application of the positive pole. 
The negative pole in some special cases will occasionally cause 
the ulcerated surface to slough or spread. Nevertheless, we 
may use both poles in the ulcer at the same time, or the nega- 
tive first and the positive pole the last. 
The thermal effect of galvanism can be easily ascertained by 
submitting a piece of cooked fresh beef for a few minutes to a 
tolerably strong galvanic current, and after the removal of the 
metal conductors, the portions of the meat which had been 
electrolyzed will be found heated to such a degree as to be al- 
most impossible to hold in the hand, even for a few moments. 
The heat developed on raw beef is not so manifest, owing to 
the large quantity of moisture in the tissues. 
Localized faradization, when employed in the treatment of 
ulcers, affords very unsatisfactory results. This is no doubt due 
to the feeble electrolytic action of the induced current. 
239 East Tenth Street, New York, August, 1873.