As a fitting precursor to the enumeration of the therapeutic properties of the remedy under consideration, it may be well to dwell for a moment on what is among its most prominent characteristics; I have reference to its great value as a
DIAGNOSTIC.
In explanation of this, I will state that in a very large number of cases of disease of an obscure nature, and where, to be candid, the electric bath was employed empirically, or, if you please, tentatively, it has served to point out the locus morbi. The number of cases in which I have made this observation, has been sufficiently large to establish beyond a doubt the fact, that as a rule the electric current makes itself more decidedly and often even painfully felt in any part where a morbid condition exists; whether this be of an inflammatory, neuralgic, rheumatic, traumatic, congestive or other nature, the result is the same. It appears to be somewhat analogous to the “tenderness on pressure” that we find present in many of these conditions. In anæsthesiæ even the current makes itself conspicuous by the absence of its normal effects. The value of this will at once be recognized in connection with a method of electric application which at one and the same time acts on every portion of the body. Local electrization is accompanied by like phenomena, when we happen to strike the right spot. The superiority of the bath as a means of diagnosis is found in the circumstance that here we must touch it.
The great importance of this feature of the electric bath will at once be realized by every physician of much experience, for there can be none such who has not frequently met with subacute or chronic conditions the etiology of which was more or less obscure.
One of the most important effects in its therapeutic application of the electric bath, is its superior excellency as an
EQUALIZER OF THE CIRCULATION;
so far as I know, it is more potent, constant and comprehensive in this respect than any other agent. Where an imperfect circulation of the blood is due to irremovable organic causes, the results obtained will of course be transient only. In all other cases, however, favorable results, more or less perfect according to the nature of the case, may be reliably looked for. Both currents act very well in this respect, though on the whole I look upon the galvanic as superior to the faradic current.
As a theory of this effect of the currents I would offer the following, viz: That the galvanic current acts by stimulating the vasomotor centres and peripheral nerves, by giving tone to the mucular coats of blood vessels, and by counter-irritation. That the faradic current stimulates the vasomotor centres little, if at all, does not influence the coats of vessels, except such as are close to the skin, but tonicizes these latter more effectually than the galvanic current; that it stimulates the peripheral nerves to some extent, though far inferior in this respect to the galvanic current; but that when employed of sufficient intensity it superadds to those mentioned a strictly mechanical action, which consists in forcing static blood from the capillary into the general circulation through the medium of muscular contractions.
As a