machine is best administered with the patient on the insulated platform.

The illustrations, Figs. 11 and 12, represent this current taken directly from the static machine.

(1) The opposite poles are but slightly separated, so that there is a discharging spark-gap.

(2) The vacuum tube may have a leading-in wire or not. If it has a leading-in wire the rheophore connects it directly with the positive or negative side of the static machine. If there is no leading-in wire connect the tube to an insulated handle and by a rheophore to either the positive or nega

3

2

FIG. II.

I, Vacuum tube held by operator or patient. 2, Connecting wire. 3, Ground chain to water pipe.

tive pole of the machine, as indicated. If the condition to be treated is a simple inflammation connect to the positive side, but if an infective process the current from the negative pole producing the greater chemical and actinic action is required. The handle may be held by the patient or operator, or when applied to the vagina or rectum may be held in position by the X-ray tube holder.

(3) A ground chain should always connect the other pole of the machine with the damp earth.

The vacuum tubes are of many forms and shapes including the surface, vaginal, urethral, hemorrhoidal, nasal, rectal, anal, post-nasal electrodes, and a special electrode for the treatment of pyorrhoea alveolaris.

The action of the high potential currents applied in this manner is stimulating. It lessens hyperemia, relieves pain, contracts and vibrates tissue, is antiseptic and rubefacient, and is also employed in the treatment of fissures, ulcers, hemorrhoids, uterine congestion, lupus, and acne.

The illustration (Fig. 13) shows the method of making the connections for administering the high-potential current with the vacuum tube or other electrode in connection with a resonator.

(1) The opposite poles of the machine should be widely separated.

(2) Connect rheophores from the machine to the Leyden jars of the resonator.

(3) Ground one side of the coil of the resonator.

(4) Attach a solenoid to the other side of the resonator coil by a wire connection.

(5) Then attach a wire from the vacuum-tube handle or other electrode to a ring in the extreme end of the solenoid,

プ

FIG. 12. 1, Vacuum tube held by operator or patient. 2, Connecting wire. 3. Ground chain to water pipe.

which is employed to increase the potential or spark length of the discharge. Regulate the discharging spark between the poles of the resonator to the spark length desired.

The resulting discharge is rather stinging and hot in character, but can be more readily borne by patients than indirect sparks. It is useful particularly in skin affections.

The conductive discharges include the static induced, first discovered by Morton, the Morton wave-current, and the vacuum-tube current when applied in contact with the surface.

The static-induced current is connected as shown in Fig. 14. The connections are as follows:

(1) The poles of the machine are but slightly separated. (2) Two Leyden jars-small, medium, or large, or one of each of two sizes-are connected to the respective poles of the machine. By employing Leyden jars of different sizes it is possible to give more current to one part than another.

(3) Rheophores, or wires, attached to binding posts connect the electrodes, which may be of sponge, metal, or glass vacuum tubes, or one may be of metal and one a vacuum electrode, with the machine.

The current is opened or closed according to the manipulation of the regulator. It may be made a make-and-break cur

7

-000000000

FIG. 13. 1, Wires connecting the pole to the Leyden jars. 2, Ground chain to water pipe. 3, Spark-gap regulator for Leyden jars. 4, Wire connecting solenoid with coil. 5, Solenoid. 6, Wire from solenoid to handle for vacuum tube or to a ball electrode or carbon point. 7, Vacuum electrode.

rent by manipulation of the regulator,-it being closed when the metal bar is in contact with the metal beneath the opposite Leyden jars.

Cleaves' water rheostat or Morton's high-frequency apparatus or other transformers may be used to modify the current if desired.

The static-induced current is usually a disagreeable current on account of its intensity, but is especially useful in some painful neurotic conditions and when the weather is humid and but a very short discharging spark can be obtained, in which case it is applicable for local effects to cases treated ordinarily by the wave-current, but produces none of the tonic effects of that modality.

The wave-current is illustrated in Fig. 15. The connections are made as follows:

(1) The poles being close together should be gradually separated according to the patient's tolerance under existing conditions, after the machine is started.

(2) The negative side is grounded to a metallic connection to the earth.

(3) A metal electrode on the surface or in a cavity of a patient is connected by a wire to the opposite pole. These electrodes are made of a malleable composition metal except those for treating the cavities. They are made of different shapes, as for the spine, abdomen, shoulder, knee, etc.

+

FIG. 14.

1, Abdominal electrode. 2. Rectal electrode. A vacuum tube may be used instead. 3, Regulator connected with rod beneath apron the manipulation of which will make or break the current.

length of the spark-gap should be governed by the patient's tolerance.

This current is of marked value, and its application therapeutically is far-reaching.

It gives a marked vibratory treatment, producing intrinsic tissue activity and contraction. It lessens hyperemia, increases secretion and excretion, and has a general tonic effect.

It is applicable to numerous nervous conditions, all noninfectious inflammatory states, including sprains, rheumatoid arthritis, brachial neuritis, sciatica, lumbago, synovitis, and is successfully applied per rectum, for the relief of prostatitis, uterine congestion, dysmenorrhea, and amenorrhea, and is employed for its tonic effect in all adynamic conditions and convalescence.

The auto-conduction method is shown in Fig. 16, and is administered as follows, according to Snow:

(1) The poles of the machine are placed so that a spark discharges at the spark-gap.

(2) The patient lies on an auto-condensation couch or chair insulated by felt or other non-conducting material, beneath which is a metal plate 5 feet by 16 to 20 inches in width, and suspended above the patient is a half-section of a wire cage.

(3) The metal plate beneath the cushion is attached to the positive pole of the machine by a wire.

(4) The half-cage is connected by a ground chain to the gas pipe.

FIG. 15. 1, Metal electrode on patient. 2, Connecting wire. 3. Ground chain to water pipe.

(5) The negative pole of the machine is connected by a ground chain to the water pipe.

Its action is to increase metabolism. It is used in the treatment of obesity, gout, diabetes, anemia, chlorosis, and headaches, but is a poor substitute for the wave-current.

Auto-condensation is illustrated in Fig. 17, and is administered as follows:

(1) The poles of the machine are placed near enough to permit a discharging spark-gap.

(2) The patient lies upon an auto-condensation couch, which should be as insulated as possible, on which is a felt or rubber filled cushion under which is a metal plate 5 feet long by 16 to 20 inches in width. The patient's body must be equidistant from the edge of the couch in all parts, or a spark may pass from the metal plate to an exposed part.

(3) Place a metal electrode 6 by 8 inches on patient's abdomen or any selected region and connect the electrode with the positive pole of the static machine by a rheophore.

(4) Connect the metal plate beneath the cushion to the negative pole of the machine or connect the metal plate with a ground chain, in which case the negative pole of the machine should be connected to the earth by a second ground chain.

Another method of giving auto-condensation is as represented in Fig. 18.

(1) The balls of the poles are widely separated.

(2) Connect a rheophore from each pole of the static to the Leyden jar of the resonator.