| [CHAPTER I.] The Apparatus. | |
| PAGE | |
|---|---|
| a)—The tub. b)—The electrodes and connections. c)—Thewater. d)—Chemicals. e)—The batteries. | [7] |
| [CHAPTER II.] | |
| Mode of Administration | [19] |
| [CHAPTER III.] Physiological Effects. | |
| Characteristic differences between the electric bath andother methods of electrization—Effects on sleep; ongeneral sensation; on the change of matter; on thepulse and temperature; as a stimulant and tonic; ongeneral nutrition; on the digestive apparatus; on thesexual apparatus—Sedative influence—Affects cranialnerves—Cutaneous sensation—Its freedom from pain—Muscularcontractions—Effects on the mind | [31] |
| [CHAPTER IV.] General Therapeutic Effects and Uses. | |
| The electric bath as a diagnostic; as an equalizer of thecirculation; as a general counter-irritant; as a generalinvigorant and tonic—Its hypnotic and sedative influence—Itsimprovement of nutrition—As a prophylactic | [52] |
| [CHAPTER V.] Special Therapeutics and Clinical Record. | |
| General directions—Special diseases—Acute rheumatism—Subacuterheumatism—Chronic rheumatism—Casesof rheumatism—Chorea, with cases—Hysterical affections,with cases—Neurasthenia, with cases—Agrypnia,with cases—Anæmia, with case—Paralyses andPareses, with cases—Neuralgiæ, with cases—Articulareffusions, with case—Impotency, with cases—Constipation,with cases—Hydrargyrosis, with case—Locomotorataxia, with case—Cachexia, with case—Dyspepsia—Melancholia,with case—Inequalities of the circulation—Affectionsof the Sympathetic, with case—Miscellaneousconditions—Concluding remarks | [61] |
CHAPTER I.
THE APPARATUS.
To a proper comprehension of the succeeding chapters, it is necessary first of all to be familiar with the apparatus employed in carrying out electro-balneological treatment, and I therefore proceed to give a description of this.[1] It may conveniently be divided as follows, viz.
- a. The tub;
- b. The electrodes and connections;
- c. The water;
- d. Chemicals;
- e. The batteries.
(a) The Tub. This must be made of a non-conducting material. Of substances that will answer, I will mention: wood, porcelain, soapstone, vulcanized rubber, or glass. In choosing one of these materials, regard should be had to the facility of attaching the electrodes. In this respect wood deserves the preference over all the others mentioned. Where economy is to be studied, it has a further item in its favor.
The tubs, which I have now in use for nearly three years are made of wood, and I find them to answer very well. It must not be forgotten, however, that a wooden tub requires to be well painted on the inside, in order to prevent its becoming water-soaked, because in that event it would become a conductor of electricity, and interfere to some extent, with the administration of the electric current in the bath.
The shape and size of the tub may be the same as those of an ordinary bath tub. To suit individual cases however, its length may be made to vary. The only peculiarity in its construction is at the head. Here, instead of slanting, it is made square, and the slightly concave (from side to side) board against which the back of the bather is to rest, is fitted in afterwards. This is necessary, because it is very difficult to make a wooden tub with a slanting back water-tight. If the length of the tub from outside to outside is made to measure about five feet ten inches, the back-rest fitted in at a proper slant will bring the inside of the tub to about the right length for an average male adult. All around the upper edge of the tub runs a wooden coping, which must not be fastened down however until all the attachments for conducting the current are in situ. Along that portion of the top of the tub where required—and this will depend on the situation of the binding posts presently to be mentioned—and underneath the coping, runs a groove for the reception of the wires that are to connect the carbon electrodes on the inside of the tub with the binding posts on the outside. This groove is continued vertically along the inside of the back-rest and foot of the tub respectively, to communicate at either end with the bed for the reception of the carbon plates. These vertical grooves should at their lower end be a little over ¼ inch deep, in order to admit of the wires being introduced beneath the carbons.