3) “From 5 to 10 minutes faradization causes a reduction of the previously heightened temperature of the diseased joints to the normal standard, or even below this.”
4) “The subjective rheumatic pains which are augmented by pressure and motion, are diminished by faradization. This diminution is sometimes so considerable, that the joint, which prior to the faradization admitted of no movement, is able to execute passive and active movements with tolerable facility.”
5) “The rheumatic pains as well as the temperature of the affected joints remain diminished after the faradization for 3, 4 and even 5 hours; they then gradually return to the previous height. At the same time the duration of the paroxysms of pain becomes shortened, and the intensity of this diminished.”
6) “Although the rheumatic process takes a more rapid course under the influence of faradization, and incommodes the patient less, we have nevertheless made the observation in one case, that the tendency to recurrence is not diminished. The attacks however become more brief and milder.”
7) “From what has here been said it follows, that daily faradizations, lasting 5–10 minutes, diminish the severity of acute articular rheumatism, restore the perverted cutaneous sensibility, and cause a reduction of the temperature of the affected joints.”
8) “Several of those suffering from the pathological processes mentioned, received no medication in addition to the faradization, and yet made a tolerably rapid recovery.”
I might adduce further testimony of the value of electricity in recent cases of rheumatism, were it necessary to do so. The results in my own cases however have long since satisfied me of the utility in this respect of faradic not only, but also of mild constant currents. Accepting this as matter of fact, let us next inquire where and why we are to give general electrization—in other words, the electric bath—the preference over local applications.
Where the manifestations of the disease are limited to a single joint, or at best a very few joints, or where we have to do with a case of muscular rheumatism—to one group of muscles, local electrization, as symptomatic treatment, will answer. Where on the one hand however many joints, on the other the muscles of entire limbs, or even more, are involved, the advantages of a method by means of which we reach all the affected parts at once, thus effecting in, say ten minutes, that which where, for example, six joints are involved, would by the ordinary method require sixty minutes, are readily realized. There is, however, another reason why the baths are preferable in rheumatism to local applications. Rheumatism is a constitutional disease with local manifestations. The metastatic character of muscular rheumatism especially appears to indicate the greater importance of general as compared to local treatment. Pre-supposing, then, that electricity exercises the favorable influence on rheumatism which clinical results would appear to demonstrate, it follows that the electric bath, while it furnishes symptomatic (local) treatment equally well with local applications, does something more; it meets the indicatio morbi likewise. The warm bath no doubt contributes its due share in bringing about the favorable results obtained.—Where the disease then does not confine the patient to bed, the electric bath will be found a most valuable remedy.
The following directions will be found to answer best in the great majority of cases: The temperature of the water should range from 90° to 98° F; a mild constant current, descending, should be applied for ten minutes; this to be followed by a faradic current of as great an intensity as the patient can bear without the slightest degree of discomfort. In the application of the faradic current, the surface board (see [p. 12]) may advantageously be had recourse to for the purpose of more concentrated influence on affected parts, to each of which it may be applied for a few minutes; the entire faradization may last from ten to fifteen minutes. When coming from the bath, the patient should be received in a warm blanket, anything like a chill being carefully guarded against. In cases where the cutaneous secretion is of an abnormally acid character (which is often so marked as to become apparent through the sense of smell), bicarbonate of soda or potassa may be added to the bath. As appears from the foregoing, the entire duration of the bath is from twenty to twenty-five minutes. The baths should be taken daily until all urgent symptoms have disappeared; after this, every two or three days as required, until an entire cure is wrought.
As the results of this or similar treatment, conjoined with the requisite medicinal or other measures, I may state: