If the shoulders, arms or hands be affected, treat them on the same principles as are prescribed for the lower limbs; using the long cord with N. P. when the disease is below the elbows.
When the disease is in the hands or feet, or near to them, if the shoulders or hips be not involved, it is often necessary, after three or four treatments as above described, to reverse the poles for a few moments, giving an ascending current; but still using the long cord with N. P.
If the disease be located anywhere in the trunk, neck or head, treat the affected part with P. P., placing N. P. on some adjacent part of the spine, and usually at a point somewhat lower down than the disease.
For acute inflammatory rheumatism, treat once a day. The length of time for each treatment must depend on the location and extent of the affected part or parts. In this matter, the practitioner must decide for himself, or infer from the time prescribed in the treatment of other inflammatory affections.
RHEUMATISM. (Chronic.)
Use the A D current always in rheumatic affections. If there be no visible inflammation or swelling in the diseased parts, approach such parts in the same manner as in acute inflammatory rheumatism, except with reversed poles. The parts affected require to come under the N. P. rather than the P. P., and to be treated with considerable force. There are apparently exceptional cases, referred to on page [83], which see.
Where joints are being dislocated, treat the parts with N. P., quite mild force, so long as it can be done without exciting acute inflammation. If this should arise, it must be repressed with P. P.
Treat chronic rheumatism about three times a week.
DROPSY.
Use the A D current, moderate force. Give general tonic treatment; then place P. P. with the feet, in a vessel of warm water, or place the sponge-roll P. P. at the soles of the feet, and treat the affected parts a few minutes with N. P., to quicken the absorbents. If the disease be in the feet or lower limbs, use long cord with P. P. while treating them. Next place N. P. upon the lower part of the bladder, or, what is better, immediately below the pubic articulation, and treat over the kidneys three to five minutes with P. P. Repeat the treatments about three times a week.