8.

Causes no scar, but a moist, red, soft condition.

When applied to the interior of the pelvis by means of a copper electrode the effects are as follows:

2. On local blood-vessels-vasomotor constrictor.

3. Result of electrolytic action-attraction of acid radicals of the disorganized tissue.

4.

On local tissue-hardening from coagulation of albumen. 5. On bacteria-destruction.

6. On fluids of tissue-propels toward opposite pole (cataphoric

action).

7. Effect of electrolysis on copper electrode-acid forms copper salts, which are driven into the tissues by cataphoresis.

2.

On local blood-vessels-dilatation.

3. Result of electrolytic action-attraction of alkaline radicals. On local tissues-softening and liquefaction from the effects

of the alkaline.

It would then seem that in the application of the Galvanic current polarity means everything, and that if the application of the positive pole were indicated, the negative would surely do harm. It is well to keep these points in mind, as success is largely dependent upon which pole is used for the active pole.

Another very important use of Galvanism, not obtainable under any other method of local treatment, is its cataphoric and electrolytic actions. With the former certain medicines are introduced into the pelvic tissues, while with the latter the salts of metals are introduced. By remembering that all anions, or electro-negative elements should be placed on the negative pole and all cathions, or electro-positive elements on the positive pole, we should have no difficulty in obtaining splendid cataphoric results where this principle is applicable.

The electrolytic action of Galvanism is of much greater importance to the gynecologist than its cataphoric action. This consists of the introduction of salts of metals into the body and is called metallic electrolysis. Oxygen combines with all the baser metals, forming oxides, and if one of these metals be used on the positive pole of a Galvanic current, the oxygen, which has an affinity for that pole, immediately combines with the electrode. If now, the electrolyte (the body in our case) contains sodium chloride, then the oxide of the mtal combines with the HCL set free, thus forming the oxychloride of the metal. The fluids of the body all contain sodium chloride, one of the factors necessary to obtain any of the oxychlorides of the baser metals, and when applying the positive galvanic current to any part of the body, and the electrode is of soluble metal, such as copper, zinc, iron, etc., we make an application of the oxychloride of such metal at the point where the electrode comes in contact with the body, which is carried still deeper into the tissues by cataphoric action.

So far, the application of the copper salts seems to be the most valuable. The oxychloride of copper is a powerful antiseptic, having eight times the microbicidal power of the current itself and is indicated in all pathological conditions dependent upon germ origin. As a germicide its action is not excelled by any other remedy. Oxychloride of zinc being a powerful escharotic, the use of this agent is almost limited to the application to the stump after excisions of malignant growths, recurrent cancers, etc. When using an iron or steel electrode on the positive pole we get all the styptic and tonic effects of the iron locally applied.

In regard to electrodes, the abdominal or indifferent electroge

should be as large as convenient. It is common knowledge that the skin offers great resistance to the passage of electricity. This resistance means the generation of considerable heat at the point where skin and electrode come in contact. When using large amperage the burning will be bitterly complained of by the patient, unless a large dispersing electrode is used. This, the tactful operator will try to avoid. The indifferent electrode should also be thoroughly soaked in salt. water before applying to the abdomen. Ordinary plain water offers: considerable more resistance to the passage of electricity than does. the sodium chloride solution.

When a base metal attached to the positive pole is applied to a mucous surface it invariably "sticks", due to its coagulating property. This can be avoided to a certain extent by gently rotating the electrode while the current is being applied, but if, in spite of this: precaution, it does happen to "stick", it will be necessary at the end of the seance to reverse the current for a few minutes in order to release the electrode.

་

When making intra-pelvic applications with a copper electrodethe writer always covers the metal part of the electrode with wet ab-sorbent cotton, thus avoiding the "sticking" of the metal, and finds: that the metallic salt is deposited in the tissues almost as well as when used without the cotton. Where practicable we believe it would bebetter to always cover the metal with wet absorbent cotton to prevent its "sticking", because when we reverse the polarity for that. purpose the active electrode is then attached to the negative pole, and all metals having an affinity for that pole, some of the oxychloride of copper will be taken from the tissue and re-deposited upon the electrode.

Occasionally we hear of beginners in the use of electricity lubricating the electrodes with vaseline, fats or oils of various kinds; it. should be thoroughly understood that these substances do not permit readily the passage of electricity through them and so should never beused for this purpose. Personally we make use of a solution of Gum Tragacanth to which is added a little Glyco-thymoline to render it antiseptic.

Dosage and frequency of treatments are of as great importancein electrical therapy as in the application of the homeopathic principle. From experience we are convinced that mild currents frequently repeated are preferable to strong currents at longer intervals.. A gradual increase and a gradual decline is the ideal method of administration in any form of electrical therapy.

As a diagnostic aid Galvanism has proved itself of repeated value

within the pelvis as well as without. If a current of Galvanism either positive or negative pole, causes pain and that pain cannot be relieved 'by the secondary coil of a Faradic battery, there is always pus present in the tissues.

The next most important current in the hands of the gynecologist is Faradism. While its physics are somewhat more complex than the Galvanic, yet the rules governing its application are even more simple. This current is alternated and interrupted; flows in opposite directions; is noisy; gives shock and is generated by induction. It has high voltage and low amperage, and has no chemical action. In this form of electricity polarity is not of so great importance as compared with Galvanism. However, it is well to pay some attention to polarity, as it is found that the positive pole is sedative in its action, while the negative is stimulating and irritating to a slight degree.

The primary current is more useful in stimulating muscular contraction where sedation is not important. Where sedation is desired the secondary current is the more useful. Interruptions of high frequency produce sedation by mechanically tiring out the muscle or tissue under treatment, thus removing its irritability. Interruptions of low frequency tend to contract and relax muscular tissue, thus stimulating the nutrition and growth.

The faradic current is a general tonic in its nature, assisting metabolic action and eliminating waste products, but is more mechanical than medicinal. Its greater value is in the slower interruptions, and the improvement in faradic coils will not be in putting a great length of wire in the secondary coil.

Although not so extensively used, the high frequency current promises much in the treatment of pelvic diseases wherever congestion and stasis are present, with or without germ life. It is well to bear in mind that the high frequency current from a coil and static machine differ somewhat in their chemical heat and vibratory effects. The chemical effects are most marked with the coil current of greater amperage. The vibratory effect is far greater in frequency, intensity and vigor when derived from the static machine and may be easily regulated by varying the length of the spark gap, or the speed of the machine, or both, while with the coil it is apt to be constant.

The main difficulty in the application of this modality at the present time is in the securing of properly insulated electrodes. It is common knowledge that electricity spends its greatest force at the point of contact and unless properly insulated the electrodes in common use spend their greatest force at the vulva, while the uterus and its appendages receive very little if any beneficial effects.

Of the strictly static currents, the alternating potential, or Morton wave current, the positive insultation and head breezes have proven applicable in certain conditions. When applied locally the Morton wave current has the following chemical effect:

pain.

1. Local congestion, relieved with diminution of swelling and

Relaxation of acute muscular spasm not of central origin.

3.

4. Increased local metabolism and repair, if conditions are sluggish.

As an equalizer of nervous forces few currents can equal positive insulation and the head breezes. These currents tend to greatly modify the nervous conditions incident to the menopause, but in my judgment, electricity tends to lengthen somewhat this period of discomfort that nearly every woman undergoes.

Personally we have had no experience in the treatment of malignant growths of the pelvis by means of Roentgen rays, but from observation at the Illinois School of Electro-Therapeutics, and from the perusal of recent literature on the subject, we are convinced that this: agent may become of much value in the treatment of these practically hopeless cases.

As the time allotted to this paper does not permit of the clinical application of the above principles, I thank you for your attention and ask your kindly but candid criticism.

Collinwood, Ohio.

ANÆSTHETICS.

By T. H. George, M. S., M. D., Anæsthetist to the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College. The subject of anesthetics and anæsthesia is so broad that I shall not attempt an exhaustive thesis containing tables of statistics and history, but shall speak only of those methods of administration which appeal to me as being the best. In the case of Nitrous oxide gas, I shall go into details, because the medical profession would have "noneof it" until quite recently.

When giving an anesthetic I keep the following corollary ever in mind:

"Most anæsthetics act better when the initial administration is: deliberate, uniform and combined with unobstructed air respiration.'

The best method of administering chloroform is by the "full drop" method, which consists in the following acts:

An Esmarch inhaler covered with three thicknesses of gauze is