A Text-Book of Electro-Therapeutics and Electro-Surgery for the Use of Students and General Practitioners

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878 Excerpt: ...necessary in any given case, it is impossible to give more than general directions. If used for homoeopathic purposes, currents which are barely perceptible will suffice. If our object is to promote vigorous contractions, as in obstetric cases, etc., strong currents with rapid intermissions only are effectual, care being of course taken not to overfatigue the organ by too prolonged applications. In these cases it is better to make frequent short applications resting between, and imitate the natural uterine contractions as much as possible. Vagina.--Either current may be applied to the vaginal canal, by electrode (Fig. 19). Having selected the battery pole we intend to use, arm it with the electrode, lubricated with soap and water (not oil, for obvious reasons), and insert it as we would an ordinary cylindrical speculum, completing the circuit by a broad rheophore placed on the nates. The vagina is very sensitive to either form of electric current, especially along the urethra. Indeed, it is often well to have the upper part of the instrument, where it comes in contact with the urethra, insulated, so as to be able to act upon the rest of the vagina without the urethra being affected. In using the galvanic current, care should be used not to electrolyze the mucous membrane, which here as elsewhere is liable to happen through careless or ignorant manipulations. An electrode large enough to fill the canal, and so obliterate the rugae, is requisite; so it is necessary for the operator to have several sizes. Ovaries.--These organs are accessible to electrization by placing moistened sponge electrodes on the skin directly over them, one from either pole; but a better way is to use a bifurcated electrode (Fig. 20), armed with broad sponge-heads. One of these heads ...