In sprains of the ankle, nothing compares to a hot foot-bath prolonged for hours, the object being to decrease the pain and swelling, thereby regaining the use of the limb.
The high degree of heat which can be borne by gradually increasing the temperature of the water by the addition of small quantities of scalding water, is extraordinary, and the favorable results obtained are in direct ratio to the height of the temperature.
Between these soakings, the part should be dressed with lead and opium wash, and rubbed with ichthyol ointment or camphor liniment.
Hot-water bottles or bags are also used locally for the relief of congestion and pain.
THE HIGH FREQUENCY CURRENT, OR VIOLET RAY
The Violet Ray or High Frequency Current is one which is in a rapid state of to-and-fro vibration and is applied through vacuum glass attachments or electrodes, which are excited to a beautiful violet color. The discharge may appear to the eye to be a single spark, but it is made up of a number of successive sparks, following each other with such extreme rapidity that they are said to oscillate (change directions) millions of times per second, a speed that the eye cannot note. The rapid oscillations have the effect of producing the following phenomena:
1. the high frequency current is unipolar, that is, does not require a complete circuit.
2. glass does not insulate the high frequency current as it does ordinary electricity.
3. the high frequency current generates enormous quantities of ozone during its flow.