condition of the nutritive processes, and in the treatment of anæmia, diseases involving the vaso-motor system of nerves, in cerebral hyperæmia, and in progressive muscular atrophy.

Remak and Fieber have both witnessed phenomena that occurred when the continuous current was used on patients

suffering with progressive muscular atrophy. Certain contractions, reflex in character, were observed, which they denominated diplegic. These occurred in muscles in the vicinity of ganglia. They are seen in the maxillary fossa the most dis

tinctly. These contractions are chronic in character, and occur also in cases of lead-paralysis. Althaus has observed them in hysteria as well.

GALVANIZATION OF THE PNEUMOGASTRIC.

What I have already said in my chapter upon electro-physiology will enable the reader to see why galvanism, when applied to this nerve, is efficacious in trophic diseases. The anatomical situation of the nerve, and its distribution to the organs of digestion, account for this most fully. The negative electrode (a small sponge) should be placed at the angle of the lower jaw, on the carotid; the positive pole is to be located over the point of origin of the sterno-cleido-mastoid. Althaus fixes the time of application at two minutes.

GALVANIZATION OF THE ORGANS OF SENSE.

FIG. 25.

FIG. 26.

For the electrization of the ear, we make use of the electrode depicted in Fig. 25. The patient is made to lie on his side, with his head in the same position, the affected ear upward. The electrode is then introduced, and the meatus filled with water; this electrode is then connected with the positive pole, and the negative pole (usually sponge-covered) is placed immediately behind the ear.

This is a most perfect way of bringing the force of the current to bear upon the paralyzed auditory nerve. It may be well to place the last electrode (the negative pole) over the opening of the Eustachian tube, or at an external point corresponding to the junction of the gustatory nerve with the chorda tympani. The séance should not last longer than three minutes. In galvanization of the tongue in cases of hemiplegia, the electrode shown in Fig. 26 may be employed. Here the application may be continuous for several minutes. It is well to make application to the paralyzed muscles, to preserve their antagonism.

When the galvanic current is applied to the eye, we may have recourse to the convenient little instrument, Fig. 28.

FIG. 27.

A. Facial Nerve at its emergence from the stylo-mastoid foramen.

B. Temporal branches.

D. Supra-maxillary.

E. Post-auricular branch of Facial.

F. Supra-orbital.

G. Infra-orbital.

This should be filled with water and applied over the orbital cavity. It has undoubted efficacy when there is paralysis of the muscles concerned in the movements of the eyeball; also in ptosis and other affections. When spongeelectrodes are used, they may be applied to the angle of the jaw, and over the supra-orbital nerve.

FIG. 28.

Galvanization of the rectum has been advised for muscular atony of that gut. The metallic.electrodes, Figs. 29 and 30, insulated to within a few inches of their ends, are to be used, and a moistened sponge must be applied against the abdominal parietes.

Galvanization of the urethra has been advocated by Mallez and Tripier, who have probably written more upon this subject than any other authors. I do not propose to dwell upon their results, but will reserve these for an

other chapter. Galvanization of the urethra has been advised for spermatorrhoea, impotency, and stricture. In the treatment of spermatorrhoea, the current should be constant, but, in impotency,

FIG. 31.

FIG. 29.

FIG. 80.

intermittent.

Special electrodes are used like

those employed in some of the uterine operations (Fig. 31).

GALVANIZATION OF THE NERVES AND MUSCLES.

In the use of galvanism for the production of therapeutical effects in the nerves and muscles, it is well to include the spinal cord in the circuit. We may place one electrode over the lumbar, dorsal, or cervical part of the cord, and the other to some muscle or nerve easily accessible. When, however, the cord is not included, one pole may be placed on a superficial nerve or muscle, and the other to some peripheral part. The effect is most satisfactorily produced when the cord is included.

When the paralysis is serious, the action then upon the central part (the point of nerve-origin) is excited much more vigorously than when a distant part is also subjected to a local stimulus. Of course, when the lesion is not central, but peripheral, the treatment must be directed to the involved part itself. When the vaso-motor nerves are the seat of disease, one pole should be placed upon the cervical ganglion, and the other to the affected parts.