This sedative effect, whereof the hypnotic effect already spoken of is the supreme manifestation, must not be associated for a moment with any idea of depression, for here we have none such. In addition to what I have already said in endeavoring to account for the hypnotic influence of the baths, I refer the reader for further information to the admirable and lucid remarks on this subject by Beard and Rockwell.[8]
The galvanic bath shares with other galvanic applications made in the cranial and upper spinal region, the effect of producing the galvanic taste, as also the flashes when the current is interrupted, showing that the
CRANIAL NERVES
come within the sphere of its influence.
A further effect peculiar to the galvanic bath is a sense of
ITCHING,
felt chiefly in the lower extremities and about the neck, and proportioned to the intensity of the current. Rather pleasant when mild or medium currents are used, under the influence of strong currents it may become so intense as to create an irresistible desire on the part of the bather to scratch especially the legs.
A negative effect of the galvanic bath, even where very intense currents are used, is the
ABSOLUTE FREEDOM FROM PAIN
throughout the entire process. I wish this to be understood of course as holding good only when currents within the ordinary limits of intensity are employed. The strongest that I have used, and on which I base my statement, was that from 48 Stöhrer or 60 Hill cells. As stronger currents are not required for therapeutic purposes, what I have asserted remains practically true as applied within these limits.