FRANKLINISM.
Franklinism, sometimes of the utmost value, and far surpassing, in certain cases, any other form of electricity, has some inconveniences in its application, and has hitherto been little used but by specialists. Recent improvements in Franklinic instruments have, however, largely removed these inconveniences, and have placed at the general service of the profession a remedy of much good and still greater promise. The fundamental requisite in all Franklinic machines, consists in the rotation of a glass plate against a leathern or other rubber, and the accumulation of the resulting electricity upon a metallic receiver, insulated by a non-conducting support, usually of glass.
Franklinism
Discarding the primitive cylinder machine, now long since disused, we will firstly consider the plate machine in which the electricity arising from the friction of the rotating glass plate against the upper and lower cushions, is collected by two brass arms and distributed to the brass conductor, from which they branch out, and which is insulated by a glass support.
Fig. 1. Plate Electrical Machine and Glass-legged Stool.
The machine should be fixed upon a firm stand that it may be quite steady during rotation, and be screwed to a heavy painted deal table, as is shown in [Fig. 1].
Fig. 2. Winter’s Machine.
When very seldom used, and where expense is a consideration, very fair results may be obtained from a Winter’s machine with a plate of only 15 inches in diameter, and which is easily carried. In this instrument, [Fig. 2], the fact that the quantity of electricity which may be accumulated upon a conductor is dependent upon its size has been most ingeniously applied, the surface of the conductor being enormously increased by the insertion into a large wooden ring of a core of thick iron wire. Electricity accumulates upon the wire, and is prevented from escaping by the insulating wooden covering.
But in the daily or frequent use of Franklinism it is essential, equally for the comfort of the operator, as for the benefit of the patient, that the most efficient apparatus should be provided. The one delineated in [Fig. 3], and which I habitually use, is that known as Carrè’s, but I have modified it by having attached to it a second accumulator, or conductor (the first time, I am led to understand, that such an improvement has been added to any such machine). This arrangement admits of the patient receiving the charge of either positive or negative electricity—a condition said by some physicians to be of primary importance.
Fig. 3. Static Machine with Gas Engine and Insulating Stool.
There are other machines, but I do not propose to weary you with their descriptions.
When any Franklinic apparatus is in use its plate or plates should be evenly and uniformly rotated, and it is much better to have this done mechanically rather than by a man or maid-servant.
I use a “Bischoff’s” gas engine, shown to the right hand in [Fig. 3]. It consists of a cylinder, surmounted by a hollow column serving as a guide to the piston. From the extremity of this column there is a very long connecting rod which acts upon the crank of the shaft of the fly-wheel and driving-pulley. When the piston ascends it draws in during four-tenths of its course a mixture of air and gas from the pipes. A little before the piston has ascended half-way a gas jet ignites the mixture. There is a slight explosion without the least effect on the sides of the cylinder, but sufficiently strong to push the piston and cause it to complete its course. In consequence of this movement the piston is raised and acts on the connecting rod, forcing it upwards and half turning the fly-wheel. On account of the speed acquired, and of the impulse given, the fly-wheel continues its course by means of the crank and connecting rod, and sends the piston to the starting-point again. Then it ascends again, taking in a fresh charge of air and gas, motion being imparted anew to the driving shaft by every revolution of the engine.
An engine of 2-man power, with an altitude from the ground to the top of the column of 4 feet, and with a fly-wheel measuring 2 feet 6 inches in diameter, is amply sufficient for every purpose. It works evenly and without noise; it is absolutely free from danger, and it is placed instantly in or out of action by merely igniting or extinguishing a single gas jet. But it is remarkable that no one seems to have suggested—even before the gas-engine era—that a “fly-wheel” with a pulley would obviate the old difficulty of the unsatisfactory rotation of the Plate machine. Going into a hair-cutter’s shop I found the apparatus, figured to the left of [Fig. 4], standing in the shop to work the customary “hair brushing machinery” instead of its being, as is usual, fixed upon an upper floor. I obtained one, and fitted it in the manner shown, to a Carrè’s machine. The fly-wheel is so heavy that it can be rotated by the operator without the aid of an assistant, by his giving the handle an occasional “swing round.” Its momentum then keeps it revolving a sufficient number of times before the next “swing” is required, to enable him to leave it and attend to his patient. The manner in which the band from it is attached to a small wheel in rear of the Static machine is also shown in the Figure.
Fig. 4. Fly-Wheel and Static Machine.
In [Fig. 3] the patient is being “charged” with positive electricity, or, as the electro-therapeutists of fifty years ago would have said, “he is taking an electro-positive bath,” by being insulated and connected through the metallic rod held in his hand with the accumulator upon which the positive electricity is stored, while the negative electricity is “run off” by a brass chain leading from the negative accumulator to the ground. If the process were reversed, the positive accumulator, being connected with the ground, and the patient with the negative one seen at the top of the machine, he would be taking “an electro-negative bath;” for we make him, as it were, a part of each accumulator as the case may be; its accumulated electricity passes to him and he becomes charged. If the air were perfectly dry he would continue (as he is insulated) in this charged condition, but owing to its contained moisture the electricity rapidly leaves him, and to maintain the charge it is necessary that the plate of the machine should be kept in constant rotation. Indeed, the escape of electricity is so rapid that to get the best action we must have a fire in the room, and before use well rub the plate, the insulating supports, the legs of the stool, and all the glass parts of the apparatus with a warm and dry piece of flannel. This is of importance, and however dry the day, should as a rule never be neglected.
By smearing the inside of the cushions of the machine with a little paste, composed of an alloy of mercury and tin (technically known as “amalgam”), mixed with a little tallow, the amount of electricity is much increased, but care should be taken not to smear the cushions with too much, which had better be bought ready prepared. A piece about the size of a small grape for each of the cushions will be enough, and no more need be added for two or three weeks. Always scrape off old amalgam before adding new. The cushions should be screwed sufficiently tight to slightly “grip” the plate, and if it is found that notwithstanding having rubbed the glass of the apparatus as above directed, the instrument is not supplying a sufficient quantity of electricity, remove the cushions and warm them thoroughly. It is impossible to be too careful that everything is warm, clean, and dry, for the great obstacle that exists against the extended use of Franklinism is found in this difficulty sometimes present, from neglect of the above precautions, in getting efficient action. But even on a foggy day the instrument, with proper care, may be made to act well. The operator should also remember that dust must be sedulously guarded against. A few drops of petroleum may be sprinkled upon the table, and their vapour condensing upon the machine will aid in protecting it against moisture.[5]
There will also be needed two or three lengths of brass chain, or of copper wire, and a stool about 4 feet by 2 feet, with four glass balls or legs. A stool of this size admits of a chair being placed upon it, as in [Fig. 3], and it will be also useful for certain applications of voltaism, which will be mentioned later on. Four glass jars are also needed with which to insulate an ordinary couch.
Fig. 5. Improved Dischargers and Connecting Rod.
Fig. 5a.
A chair, insulated by being screwed to a glass platform, as in [Fig. 5]a, running on castors, is an improvement upon the old-fashioned glass-legged stool.
Franklinization by Sparks.
In [Fig. 3], the electricity is escaping from all points of the skin, but if it is desired to localize somewhat this escape along the course of certain nerve branches, or otherwise, but to avoid shock, a brush may be slowly passed by the operator almost, but not quite, in contact with the skin. A series of rapid and successive reunions of the electricity with each bristle of the brush takes place, generating a current of cold air perceptible to the patient. I habitually use for this application an ordinary clothes-brush. If while in connection with the conductor any object (the knuckles will do) is brought sufficiently near to the patient for his contained electricity to overcome the resistance of the intervening stratum of air, he is “discharged” with a spark. This is Franklinization by sparks, and is accompanied by a certain slight amount of “shock.”
In [Fig. 5], improved “dischargers,” and a convenient metallic connecting rod are shown.
The ball terminations of the dischargers should vary in size, for within certain limits, the larger the ball the more intense the spark; with the pointed end the spark is very small; with the discharger terminating in many small metallic points still smaller, and with a similar discharger made of wood, a luminous glow alone results, and no spark.[6]
I shall discuss, in my third Lecture, the therapeutic values of Franklinism.