"- " THE ELECTROPATHIC GUIDE: PHEPAKED WITH PAKTICULAR REFERENCE TO HOME PRACTICE; CONTAINING HINTS ON THE CAEE OF THE SICK, THE TREATMENT OF DISEASE, AND THE USE OF ELECTRICITY ; Jfall gtredwms for toathtg ofor 100 gt BY S. M. WE L L S, \\ MEDICAL ELECTRICIAN. THIRD EDITION. NEW YORK: AMERICAN NEWS COMPANY, 121 NASSAU STREET. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by S. M. WELLS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. EDWARD O. JENKINS, PRINTER AND STEREOTYPER, NO. 20 N. WILLUM ST., N. T. PKEFACE. IN offering this little book to the public, it is but just to say that it was originally designed for our pupils, and those who had attended our lectures, as it was through the earn- est and repeated solicitations of such that the work was undertaken, but before it was completed, so many calls were received for it from other sources that a few changes and additions were made, with the hope it would in some measure meet these demands also. These changes were made with particular reference to those who hare had little experience in the use of Electric- ity, or in the treatment of diseases, for though it is no easy or unimportant task to prepare a work in every way suited to the wants of the inexperienced and uninformed, so many of this class are at the -present time resorting to the use of Electricity, that we thought it was better for them to have even a little light than to work entirely in the dark. Then they have our sympathy, and we would benefit them if we could, as most of them have tried the various remedies em- ployed in the treatment of diseases without obtaining the desired relief, and in their great suffering turn to Electric- ity as the last resort and only hope. For the encouragement of such we* would say, work cau- (iii) IV PKEFACE. tiously, and you not only need not stumble, but may rejoice over happy results, for diseases frequently yield to Electri- cal treatment after various other remedies have failed to reach them. As many of those for whom the work was designed have not been favored with a medical education, and therefore are not familiar with medical terms, we have avoided all technicalities, and endeavored to give a plain statement of facts in as explicit and concise a manner as possible, and in a language so plain and simple that all who read may understand. We have, also, in consideration of the inexpe- rience of these, omitted some diseases which may be treated with success by experienced and skillful Electricians. With the hope that it will prove useful to others, as well as to those for whose benefit it has been prepared, and bring health and comfort to many a suffering one, the work is therefore submitted to the public. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES. The laws which govern Electricity . .' 11 The principles upon which Electricity is applied to the treat- ment of diseases 11 Wells' Battery 13 Electrical Instruments 16 Description of Battery and Instruments 16 CHAPTER II. ELECTRICAL TREATMENT. General rules for treating diseases with Electricity 18 Use of the Positive and Negative Poles 18 Primary and Secondary Currents 18 Diagnosis 19 CHAPTER III. METHOD OF APPLYING ELECTRICITY. General Treatment 21 Fevers . . 23 Debility and Tonic Treatment 24 Local Treatment 25 Strength of Current to be used 25 Time occupied in giving treatment 55 Sensitiveness of the different portions of the body to the Cur- rent 26 Treatment, how often repeated 26 Directions for using the Instruments 27 CHAPTER IV. ATMOSPHERIC ELECTRICITY. Hall's Glass Castors, for insulating bedsteads, etc 29 Shaping with the head towards the north 30 Effects of Atmospheric Electricity on the human organization. 30 CHAPTER V. TREATMENT. A I i^-csses 37 Ague in the Breast 37 (v) VI CONTENTS. Amnnrosis. (See Diseases of the Eye.) Anus, Prolapsus or Falling of .. .... 38 Anus, Induration of Apparent Death 89 Appetite, loss of b9 Aphonia. (See Loss of Voice.) Apoplexy 40 .Asthma 41 Back, Weak 41 Bruises and Sprains 41 Bowels, constipation of 42 ' inflammation of 42 " looseness of 48 Bladder, paralysis of , 43 " inflammation of 43 Brain 43 Burns and Scalds 44 Bronchitis 44 Catarrh, Acute 44 Canker 45 Cancer 45 Change of life 47 Circulation of the blood 47 Corns 47 Chilblains 47 Crick in the neck 48 " back 48 Consumption 48 Colds 52 Cold Feet 52 Cold in the Head 53 Contracted Muscles 51 Croup 54 Cramp 55 Cholera, Infantum 55 " Morbus : 55 " Asiatic ... 56 Cutaneous Diseases. (See Scrofula.) Deafnens 56 Debility 57 Dyspepsia 58 Diphtheria 58 Diarrhoea. (See Bowels.) Diabetes 59 Dropsy 59 Earache 59 Ears, running of 60 " swelling of 60 Enlarged glands 61 CONTENTS. Vll * Enlarged tonsils. (See Quinsy.) Epilepsy 61 Eyes 02 inflammation of C3 granulated and thickened lids 64 ulceration 65 obstruction of the lachrymal duct . . 65 cataract 65 opacity of film 65 Amaurosis 66 Faceache 67 Felons 67 Fevers 67 typhoid 68 " eruptive 68 Fever and Ague 69 Chills. 70 Flooding, or Menorrhagia ... 70 Falling of the Womb. (See Prolapsus of the Uterus.) General Treatment. (See Chapter III.) Goitre 70 Gravel 71 Hoarseness 71 Heart 71 Headache 73 sick 73 Hernia 73 Hip-Disease 74 Hysteria 74 Inflammation 74 Insanity 74 Indigestion '74 Indurations 75 Kidneys, inflammation of 75 " Bright's disease of the 75 Lfiucorrhoea 76 Liver, inflammation of .... 76 " torpid 76 " enlargement of 77 Lockjaw 77 Lungs, inflammation of 77 Loss of voice, or Aphonia 78 Measles 78 Menses, suppression of 78 painful 78 " retarded 79 " too copious . 79 Miscarriage. (See Flooding.) Mouth. (See Sore Mimth ) \T111 CONTENTS. Neuralgia 79 Nose-Bleed 79 \i >sc, swelling 79 Ozoena ... 80 Ovaries, inflammation of 80 Ovarian Tumor 80 Obstructions 80 Palsy, or Paralysis 81 Piles 82 Pleurisy 82 Polypus 82 Pregnancy 82 Quinsy and Sore Throat 83 Rheumatism, acute 84 chronic 85 Scrofula 8-> Sore Mouth 86 Sore Nipples 87 Sore Threat. (See Quinsy, Diphtheria and, Colds.) Sleeplessness 87 Spasms 87 Spine, curvature of 87 ' inflammation or irritation of 88 Spleen, inflammation or enlargement of 88 Sprains. (See Bruises.) Stammering 89 Stomach, inflammation of 89 St. Vitus' Dance 89 Sun-stroke 89 Tonic Treatment 90 Toothache 90 Tumors 91 Urine, retention of 91 Uterus, prolapsus of 93 " inflammation of 93 " ulccration of 93 " enlargement of and induration of 94 Vagina, inflammation of 94 Vomiting 94 Whites. (See Leucorrhaa.) Womb. (See Uterus.) Waterbrash 94 Whitlows 95 White Swelling 95 Wounds 95 Weak Sight 95 Weak Stomach 96 Weak Lungs 96 Worms. . 96 CHAPTER I. ELECTEICAL INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS FOB MEDICAL PURPOSES. As the laws which govern Electricity, and the principles upon which it should be applied to the treatment of disease, are universal, the instructions given in this work may be followed, (so far as the operator has the facilities for doing so,) whatever Electrical Machine or battery he employs, if it is reliable, and if the positive and negative poles of these batteries correspond with those of the battery here described, as most of them do, though there are exceptions. A description of, with directions for using Wells' Double Current Electropathic Instru- ment, which we have been using with excellent success for several years, will, I think, enable one to operate almost any battery in common use. This instrument is very powerful for its size, yet so simple in its structure that its action may 12 THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. be easily understood, and so arranged that it does not readily get out of repair. No acid is used in operating it ; the solution, being one of Sulphate of Copper, (or blue vitriol,) if it is spilt on the clothes or carpet, no harm is done. It possesses decided advantages over the sin- gle-current instruments, as both the currents are combined in one instrument, and can be brought to bear on the directors by merely moving a switch, or lever, without disconnect- ing the conducting wires. The primary current possesses sufficient pow- er to discuss all ordinary tumors, and to remove other extraneous growths. The secondary cur- rent is of sufficiently high intensity for all medi- cal purposes. This instrument is so constructed, that it can be operated with the box shut, there- by preventing the noise of the vibrating arma- ture to escape, and also keeping the instrument free from dust. THE ELECTROPATHIC GUIDE. 13 Fig. 1. PROF. WELLS' BATTERY. DIRECTIONS : 1. Connect the wires from the battery screws to the screws in the instrument, as represented in the cut. 2. The solution to be used in this battery is one of Sulphate of Copper, (blue vitriol,) con- 14 THE ELECTROPATHIC GUIDE. taining about two ounces of blue vitriol to a quart of water, as it takes about this quantity of water to fill the copper cup, which should be kept nearly full when in use. If a very light current is required, the solution can be reduced by adding more water. 3. The zinc cup or plates become coated in the battery, so that it is necessary to clean them when- ever they become thickly furred. This should be done by scraping them with a knife, (instead of washing or brushing them,) so as to expose again the bright surface of the zinc. 4. The bundle of wires in the helix is to resr- O ulate the current. It can be removed or intro- duced at pleasure, thus regulating the strength of the current. When entirely out, the current is very light ; as you insert it the strength is in- creased, and when it is nearly in, the instrument is in its full strength. This is called the regulator. 5. To get the primary current, move the switch, which connects with the screw-post, on the brass knob marked P. To get the secondary current, move it on the knob marked S. 6. If the Electro-Magnetic apparatus will not operate, see first if any spark is perceptible on THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. 15 rubbing the extremities of the wires from the battery together. If not, the battery is in fault. This may be owing to a sediment of copper in the bottom of the battery making a connection between the zinc and copper, or to the zinc being somewhere in metallic contact with the copper; or, it may be owing to the foulness of the zinc plates, or to the weakness of the solution, which, in that case, will have lost its color. If the fault is not in the battery, it must be in the vibrating armature, which is placed under the arch of brass. This must be adjusted so that the iron hammer is about the sixteenth of an inch from the face of the magnet ; then screw" the spiral spring down so as to touch the flat spring and tighten the screw by the lower nut, and there will be no difficulty in the instrument's operating. As there are many local and internal diseases which cannot be reached without the use of in- struments, a case of instruments accompanies each of Wells' Machines, (unless otherwise or- dered.) These instruments are got up very neatly and substantially, and are so simple in their structure as to require but little skill in using them ; while they are of great practical use, as there are many internal diseases which cannot be reached without them. 16 THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. Fig. 2. CASE OF INSTRUMENTS. This case of instruments contains an Insulated- Handle and Sponge, an Ear, Eye, Throat, Tongue, Womb, Vagina and Rectum Director, silver plated and glass. One instrument serves for the last two, (the Vagina and Rectum,) and is the largest silver instrument in the case. The Womb director, (which is the long glass instru- ment,) is to be attached to the conducting cord by means of a thumb-screw. All the other direc- tors are fitted to the Insulated Handle, and can be put on and taken off at pleasure. As but one of them is used at a time, they need only one THE ELECTROPATHIC GUIDE. 17 handle, which makes the set much cheaper than if each had a handle attached. The flat instrument is for the tongue ; the small pointed one for the ear, and other delicate purposes ; and the long one, with the ball on the end, for the throat and fauces. A bit of moist sponge, or cotton flannel, should be fastened on the end of the car and throat instrument when in use. The tongue instrument may also be covered with cotton flannel, or soft linen, if the tongue is sore, but is usually used without covering, as is also the vagina and rec- tum instrument. When in use the eye cup should be filled with pure, soft, tepid water. When the operator is treating a case which requires him to hold both poles, he should use the Insulated Handle and sponge in one hand, instead of both electrodes, as that will insulate him from the current. It must be remembered that the sponges should always be wet when in use, and thor- oughly cleansed after use. CHAPTER II. ELECTRICAL TREATMENT. The general rule for treating diseases with. Electricity is, that inflammations, fevers, bruises, sprains, expanded muscles, swellings and extra- neous growths should be treated with the positive pole ; and debility, chilliness, inaction, tendency to decomposition, and contracted muscles with the negative pole. In treating the first class of diseases, as far as -possible, arrange the poles so that the positive will be above the negative. In diseases which require treatment with the neg- ative pole, this rule cannot be observed. Example In inflammation of the eye, the neg- ative is held in the hand, and the positive at the eye; while in amaurosis or paralysis of the optic nerve the negative is held at the eye, and the positive on the spine. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CURRENT. The primary current is used more particularly (18) THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. 19 in treating unhealthy diseases, and extraneous growths, such as scrofula, cancers, ulcers, swell- ings, opacity of the eye, granulated eyelids, en- larged tonsils, enlarged joints, etc. And in these cases it should be used with the regulator^M^^F 1 nearly so, and with the full strength of the solu- tion. This current may also be employed in any case where the patient is too sensitive to bear the vibration of the secondary current ; though, in most cases of this kind, it should be used with the regulator partly, or entirely iasested &a the helix. If the current should then be too strong, (which is sometimes the case when used on the head,} the solution may be reduced by adding water. The secondary current is better adapted to nervous affections, and inflammatory diseases, and is. employed to arouse and give tone to the system. DIAGNOSIS. If, at any time, the operator is at a loss to know which pole to apply in giving treatment, he can be greatly assisted in making a correct decision, by testing the sensibility of the dis- eased parts to the current ; for it is a remarkable fact connected with the treatment by Electricity 20 THE ELECTKOPATHIC GUIDE. that it detects not only tlie organs, but the very portipns of the organs where the greatest amount of irritation exists, a knowledge which a pres- sure of the hand often fails to elicit. The following is the best method for making this examination of the internal organs. Attach the sponge, which belongs in the case, to the Insulated Handle, and connect them with the positive pole. Moisten the sponge, and the surface of the body under examination, then hold the sponge on the spine, opposite, or a little above the affected part, while the fingers of the hand in which the negative is held are passed with a firm, though not disagreeably hard, pres- sure, over the diseased organ. The portion where the inflammation or irritation exists, will be found to be more sensitive to the current than when in a normal condition. If not fully satis- fied in reference to the location of disease, a more general examination may be made. Wet the neck thoroughly, and hold the positive on the r part of the spine, while you examine the throat with the negative ; then lower the positive two or three inches, and examine the trachea and upper part of the lungs, and thus pass down over the entire body, keeping the positive on the spine, a little above the negative, in front. THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. 21 To examine the spine, place the negative at the base by seating the patient on it, or otherwise, and examine each vertebra, by pressing the fingers firmly on it. Diagnosis of the head should be left to experienced Electricians. The negative electrode, with a small sponge around it, may be employed instead of the fin- gers, in making the examination, though this method is not so reliable. The primary current is seldom found to be of sufficient intensity for diagnosing. As an unnat- ural sensitiveness of the parts to the current in- dicates treatment with the positive pole, so a want of sensitiveness indicates treatment with the negative pole. Note. The operator should hold the pos. in his hand while examining the spine. CHAPTER III. METHOD OF APPLYING ELECTKICITY. A general or local application may be made, as the case requires, or both, if necessary. Local diseases cannot be readily cured without a direct application to the diseased part, and there are many internal diseases which can be reached only by the use of instruments, as, in order to effect a cure, the current must be conveyed to, or directly through the diseased organ. This can be done without pain, and in most cases, without even unpleasant sensations attending the application. In giving treatment, the operator should be supplied with two good bathing sponges to wrap around the electrodes, or poles, of a proper size and shape to entirely envelop the metal, in or- der that it may not come in contact with the pa- tient, and a basin of tepid or cold water, which- ever is most agreeable to the patient, in which (22) sponges during treatment. Wet sponges are good conductors of Electricity, and prevent those unpleasant sensations which are so disagreeable to nervous, sensitive patients. They also remove the impurities from the skin. GENERAL TREATMENT. In a general application or, in what we shall call in the following pages, General Treatment the entire person, except tlie liead, is sponged with one pole, or electrode, while the other is either at the feet, the base of the spine, or in the mouth, as the case may require. It is, however, seldom advisable to give General Treatment with the positive at the feet. Examples. For a fever, put the feet in warm water, and place the negative pole, attached to the Insulated Handle and sponge, in the water with the feet, then sponge the entire person with the positive. If there is severe pain and heat in the head, it may be thoroughly wet, and also treated with a very light current. The Insula- ted Handle is used in this case, that the cord may be kept out of the water, as it will last much longer if kept dry. 24 THE ELECTEOPATIIIC GUIDE. GENERAL DEBILITY, OR TONIC TREATMENT. Wrap a wet sponge around the positive pole, and seat your patient upon it, or, if in bed, place it at the base of the spine, then sponge the entire person (head excepted) with the negative. If, in cases of debility, there is also a tendency to sore throat, or flow of blood to the head, with cold extremities, the positive pole may be at- tached to the throat or tongue instrument, and first placed in the mouth and held there by the patient, while the upper half of the body is sponged with the negative; then placed at the base of the spine, as before, while the lower half of the body is sponged with the nega- tive. In giving General Treatment, do not wet the entire person at once, as that would be apt to produce chilliness, especially in feeble pa- tients; but commence by sponging the neck and shoulders, then wipe dry and rub with the hand until warm, then take an arm and treat in the same manner, and so on, until the entire person has been treated. If the patient is inclined to chilliness, keep him covered with a blanket and place a bottle of warm water at his feet. THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. 25 LOCAL TREATMENT. In Local Treatment, the poles must be so ar- ^ ranged that the Electricity, which flows quite directly from one to the other, will pass through, or to the diseased part under treatment. Example In inflammation of the stomach, pass the positive over the stomach, while the negative is held on the spine opposite, and a little below the stomach. In this case the Insulated Handle and sponge should be held on the spine, instead of the electrode. STRENGTH OF CUEEENT TO BE USED, AND TIME OC- CUPIED IN GIVING TREATMENT. No exact rules can be given for the length of y time or strength of current to be employed- Both must be varied to meet the condition of the patient and the parts under treatment, as some persons are naturally more sensitive to the current than others, and, in all persons, certain parts of the body are more sensitive to it than others ; be- sides, disease either increases or diminishes tho sensibility. Draw the regulator out so as to com- mence witli a light current, and increase it grad- ually. Except in cases where there is inflamma- tion or soreness of the parts, the current should 2 26 THE ELECTROPATHIC GUIDE. * not be of sufficient strength to be painful or par- ticularly disagreeable to the patient. These cases are often sore to the touch, and must, therefore, be treated gently, though with a good current. In treating children the operator must be his own judge. A light current, of course, must be used, and a comparatively short treatment given. The current must also be varied on different parts of the body according to the sensitiveness. The head is extremely sensitive, and should be treated with great caution. It should be thor- oughly wet when treated, and seldom requires treatment with the negative pole. Many per- sons cannot bear the secondary current at all on the head, and not even the full strength of the primary current. The lungs, next to the head, are sensitive, and require a light current. Tfie mouth, also, is quite sensitive, though much more so in some persons than in others, while the spine, stomach, liver and bowels will bear a strong current, unless irritated or inflamed. The time occupied in giving General Treat- ment may vary from five to thirty minutes, and for local treatment, from five to twenty minutes. TREATMENT, HOW OFTEN REPEATED. In severe, acute attacks, the treatment may be THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. 2 7 repeated two or three times during twenty-four hours, if necessary. In chronic cases, a daily treatment for a week, or ten days, and then from three to five treatments a week, will be sufficient. Obstinate cases of long standing frequently re- quire a long course of treatment to effect a cure, and the symptoms are often aggravated, at first, by the treatment, though only for a short time. It is not best to get easily discouraged in cases of this kind, for, not unfrequently, those which seem to be hopeless are cured ; or, if not, they are greatly relieved. Should the symptoms be much aggravated, omit treatment for a few days. USE OE INSTRUMENTS. When treating with one pole in the mouth, it is always to be understood that either the throat or tongue instrument is to be employed. When any instrument is.used in giving treat- ment, it is always advisable to place the instru- ment before applying the other electrode. Com- mence with the regulator out, or nearly so, and increase the current by inserting it gradually into the helix. This is a good rule to be observed in all cases, as it will prevent severe shocks, not only to the patient, but also to the operator. 28 THE ELECTROPATHIC GUIDE. The Vagina and Rectum Director should be well lubricated with linseed or olive oil when in use. The knob at the end of the Womb Insulator can be unscrewed and taken off, and the rod inside removed, if necessary, in order to cleanse it. Great care should be taken to cleanse the in- struments and sponges after use. If a patient wishes to treat himself, in a case where it is not convenient to use the Insulated Handle, India rubber gloves may be worn to insulate the hands. CHAPTER IV/ ATMOSPHEEIC ELECTKICITY. We would recommend Hall's Glass Castors, for Insulating Bedsteads, etc., to invalids who are confined to their beds by chronic diseases, and to persons who suffer from languor and exhaus- tion on rising in the morning. Sleep should be refreshing. It should be " tired nature's sweet restorer," and, if it is not, there must be a cause. This cause is, without doubt, in very many cases, the constant escaping of the electrical currents from the body to the ground, which takes place more rapidly while in a recumbent position, and during sleep, than at other times. These castors prevent the currents of Electricity from passing off from the body to the ground, by insulating the bedstead. They are made of pressed glass, about three and one- half inches in diameter, and one and a half inches thick, with a cavity to allow the feet of (29) 30 THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. the bedstead to rest in. By being smooth on the bottom, they will slide on the carpet much better than the metallic castors. They are also much used as a protection from lightning. In order to insulate the bedstead it must be removed from the wall, so that it will not come in con- tact with anything but the castors. We would also advise sleeping with the head toward the north, (in this hemisphere,) and the feet toward the south, in order that the strong currents of Electricity, which are constantly flow- ing from the poles towards the equator, may pass in the same direction as those in the body, which flow from the brain downward and out- ward, as the action of these strong opposite cur- rents has a tendency to break up the equilibrium of the natural currents in the body, thus produc- ing wakefulness, restlessness, and even great nervous derangement in persons of delicate, sen- sitive organizations, and in those where the sys- tem is already diseased. That the human ...system is decidedly aifected by atmospheric Electricity, we have unmistaka- ble proofs. Why is it that periodical headaches return at the same hour day after day ? Why do certain diseases prevail during certain condi- tions of the atmosphere ? And why is it that THE ELECTROPATHIC GUIDE. 31 the rheumatic patient so unmistakably foretells the approaching storm, while one that is suf- erinff from severe bronchial irritation becomes O aware of a " change in the wind " even at mid- night, while enveloped in the warm coverings of a comfortable bed in his own closed apart- ment ? Says Dr. Garratt : " The human organ- ism is decidedly affected by atmospheric Elec- tricity, from the slighter changes in the electric state of the air, as well as by bolts of lightning. Healthy individuals even feel the exhilaration of a serene and positive atmosphere, as also an increased heaviness and oppression at the oppo- site state of the air. If the weather be stormy, and the air is surcharged either positively or neg- atively, or is suddenly changed from one to the other state, then do we find the neuralgic, the rheumatic, and all invalids feel pains and de- pressions. When the lower strata of the air, which is near the surface of the earth, obtains also in the higher strata for awhile, as before a storm, and sometimes just after, then it is that the rheumatisms ache and the neuralgias give their ugly twinges ; the frail feel a peculiar fa- tigue and are irritable, or are perhaps drowsy. In the extremely sick, the dyspnoea of emphy- sema and of heart diseases are worse ; complica- THE ELECTKOPATHIC GUIDE. ted chronic rheumatism is awakened ; paroxysms of fever anticipate their accustomed hour; in severe acute cases the symptoms become doubly alarming ; while in fatal cases, death arrives earlier in unsettled and stormy weather than would have been had the atmosphere been se- rene. Now, all these coincidences cannot be ac- cidental ; and as the operation of natural lawa is as unerring as that of the most exquisite machinery, due investigation and inquiry only are requisite to lay bare this whole mystery." Daily observations and experiments were made in and about Paris during the cholera there in 1849, which show a striking coincidence be- tween the malio-nance of the disease and the O amount of atmospheric electricity. These obser- vations and experiments were made by M. An- draud, and in a letter to the President of the French Academy, dated June 10th, 1859, he says : " The Machine I have used for my daily observa- tions is rather powerful. In ordinary weather it gives, after two or three turns of the wheel, brilliant sparks of five or six centimetres. I have noticed that since the invasion of the epidemic, I have not been able to produce, on any one oc- casion, the same effect. During the months of April and May, the sparks, obtained with great THE ELECTftOPATHIC GUIDE. 33 trouble, have never exceeded two or three cen- timetres, and their variations accorded very nearly with the statistic variations of the chol- era. This was already for me a strong presump- tion that I was on the trace of the important fact I was endeavoring to find. Nevertheless, I was not yet convinced, because, one might at- tribute the fact to the moisture of the atmos- phere or to the irregularities of the electric ma- chine. Thus I waited with impatience the arri- val of fine weather, with heat, to continue my observations with more certainty. At last fine weather came, and to my astonishment, the ma- chine, though often consulted, was far from showing, as it ought, an augmentation of elec- tricity, but gave signs less and less sensible, to such a degree, that during the 4th, 5th, and 6th of June, it was impossible to obtain anything but slight cracklings without sparks. On the 7th, the machine remained quite dumb. This new decrease of the electric fluid has perfectly accorded, as it is only too well known, with the renewed violence of the cholera ; for my part, I was not more alarmed than astonished ; my con- viction was complete. I saw only the conse- quence of the fact already supposed. It may be imagined with what anxiety, in these moments 2* 34 THE ELECTKOPATHIC GUIDE. of the crisis, I consulted the machine, the sad and faithful interpreter of a great calamity. At last, on the morning of the 8th, some feeble O / sparks reappeared, and from hour to hour, elec- tric intensity increased. I felt with joy the vivifying fluid was returning in the atmosphere. Towards evening, a storm announced at Paris that electricity had re-entered its domain; to my eyes, it was the cholera disappearing with the cause which produced it. The next day, (Saturday, the 9th,) I continued my obser- vations; the machine then, at the least touch, rendered with facility the most lively sparks." Now, it is stated that in the six days following the 8th of June, the mortality in Paris fell reg- ularly from 667 to 355. Dr. Pallas, chief physician of the French ar- my in Africa, asserts that the greater number of diseases, particularly the u neuroses," are due to the influence of widely deviating electricity ; the principal sources of which are thunder clouds and marshy soils. By their effects on the human organism, and their geographical constitution, marshes present the closest analogy to the gal- vanic battery, and observation proves that diseas- es developed by marshy emanations, are, at first, of a nervous nature ; hence, one of the methods THE ELECTROPATHIC GUIDE. 35 which will be found most efficient in preventing intermittent fevers and neuroses, must be the electrical insulation of chairs, beds and tables from the earth by glass supporters. Sir James Murray, M. D., after extensive ob- servations and experiments, says: "I consider that the exiting cause of epidemics which is called malaria, is not bad air at all, as the name implies, but the result of disturbed electricity ; that marsh rniasms, gases, or effluvia of vegeto-animal matters, or putrid emanations, are not, as is com- monly supposed, the exciting causes of agues or diseases called malarious. But I consider these noxious emanations are disturbed electro-galvanic currents and electric communications some- times positive, sometimes negative causing a want of electrical equilibrium in human bodies, etc. I consider that men's bodies between the atmosphere and the earth, represent the chain of a Ley den Jar, or of an Electric Machine, con- ducting negative electricity from the outside of the jar to the ground, or supplying positive elec- tricity from the earth to the rubber. Were the surface of the floor well insulated, the chain could not readily give or receive the currents which otherwise pass through it." It had long since been proposed by Dr. Priest- oO THE ELECTIIOPATIIIC GUIDE. ley to electrify a great number of patients at once by placing them in a chamber raised upon glass feet. Mr. Ellis recommended, in 1831, that persons seized with cholera should receive their remedial treatment in beds placed upon glass bottles, and be supplied with their remedies in glass vessels. All these ingenious suggestions were proposed for the use of persons already diseased ; but says Dr. Priestley : " The above gentleman has sug- gested means of cure / I recommend measures of prevention. Their propositions were never car- ried into effect ; whereas, my insulated houses were tried, and saved the inmates from diseases in places where laborers, previously unprotected, fell by dozens in fainting and fevers, for want of sufficient electricity to sustain the natural bal- ance. Persons insulated by a very bad conduc- tor, such as a floor of cold asphalt, and by clean, dry flannel, or insulators, cannot readily com- municate electricity to the earth, nor receive electricity from it, if tlie air of the apartment be dry where they sleep, and free from filth and moisture. '' -.- . ^ -/Xx^ * CHAPTERS^. NOTE. Pos., denotes the Positive Pole; Neg., the Nega- tive Pole; P. (7., the Primary Current; $. C., Secondary Current. ABSCESSES. To prevent suppuration, apply the pos. to the swelling, and the neg., when admissible, either at the hands or feet, according to the location of the abscess ; if below the shoulders, at the feet ; oth- erwise, at the hands, putting them in water, with the neg. P.. G. (See Tumors.) AGUE EST THE BREAST. Apply the pos. to the disease, while the neg. is held on the spine a little below it, or in the pa- tient's hand, on the affected side. Treat from ten to thirty minutes, as the case may require, and repeat the treatment in a few hours, if nec- essary. If the treatment is repeated, or if it is (.37) 38 THE ELECTROPATIIIC GUIDE. continued more than ten minutes, the neg. should be held on the back, only a portion of the time. P. C. Give treatment as in fever, if necessary. ANUS, PROLAPSUS OR FALLING OF. First, the fallen parts should be replaced. Then connect the Rectum Director with the pos. pole, and after oiling well with linseed or olive oil, introduce it carefully into the rectum, holding it there while the neg. is passed up and down the lower part of the spine for ten or fifteen minutes, S. C. The patient should keep a horizontal po- sition for an hour or two, at least, after treat- ment. For this reason, a favorable time for treatment is just before retiring for the night. ANUS, INDURATION OF. Wrap a small soft sponge around the pos. pole and press it against the parts, while the neg. is passed up and down the spine for ten or fifteen minutes, repeating the treatment four or five times a week until cured. An occasional treatment may be given with the neg. at the feet instead of being applied to the spine. P. C'. used in both treatments. THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. APPAKENT DEATH. First, place the pos. wrapped in a wet sponge on the back of the neck and apply the nee>s., either with a small sponge or the hand, up and down over the bronchial tubes, while the neg. is held on the spine a little below. A tonic treatment may be given, if necessary. CATAEEH, ACUTE. The^?6>s. should be held at the root of the nose while the neg. is held between the shoulders, $. THE ELECTKOPATHIC GUIDE. 45 C. If chronic, the neg. should be held at the root of the nose, while the pos. is held between the shoulders, P. C. Treat five or ten minutes. A case of long standing may require three or four treatments a week for two or three months. In these cases, a tonic treatment should be given occasionally, or treatment as in Scrofula, if ne- cessary, which is frequently the case in persons of scrofulous habit. CANKER EST THE MOUTH. Cover the Tongue Director with a piece of moist linen or cotton flannel, and attach it to the pos. Let the patient hold it on the tongue, and as far back as practicable, while the neg. is applied about the jaws and neck and upper part of the body, P. (J. If the patient is debilitated, give tonic treatment. CANCER. Cancer requires both Local and General Treat- ment, in order to eradicate the disease from the system. The tumor, in all ordinary cases, should be treated with the pos., closing the circuit with the neg., as the case may require, bearing in mind that the current flows from one pole to the other 46 THE ELECTROPATHIC GUIDE. and must pass through the diseased part in order to affect it materially. Thus, a cancer in the breast, pos. on the diseased part, and neg. on the back opposite. A tumor on the side of the neck, pos. on the tumor and neg. in the opposite hand, etc. It is advisable that the neg. should be at the extremities whenever it is practicable. This treatment may be given daily for two or three weeks, as the case may require ; then two or three applications a week will be sufficient. Ten min- / utes' treatment of the tumor will be sufficient when given thus frequently. A general treat- ment should always be given in connection with the local, by sponging the entire person, except the tumor, with the neg., while the pos. is either in the mouth or at the base of the spine, or by ap- plying the pos. generally while the feet and the neg,. are in water. The last (that by placing the fe#t in wa,ter, etc.,) may be given every third time, P. C. In malignant cases, a compound bat- tpry is sometimes necessary. In these cases, advice of an experienced Electrician is very de- sirable. If the patient is debilitated, give treat- ment once a week, by seating on the pos. and sponging the body with the neg.j S. C., omitting all other treatment, and avoiding to pass the sponge over the cancer or tumor. THE ELECTKOPATHIC GUIDE. 47 CHANGE OF LIFE. The diseases and derangements of the system which frequently manifest themselves at this critical period, are usually reached by electrical treatment, but they are so various it would, be difficult to give directions for their treatment here ; the instructions would be too extended for a work of this kind. See Flooding. CIRCULATION OF THE BLOOD. A thorough sponging with the neg, while the patient is seated on thepos., or with ihepos. on the tongue if there is a tendency of blood to the head will equalize the circulation, S. G. CORNS. Fasten a small sponge on the point of the Ear Insulator and hold it directly on the corn, (it being attached to the pos.,) then close the circuit with the neg. on some other part of the foot, P. C. CHILBLAINS. To avoid them keep the feet warm and dry, and wear loose shoes. Apply the pos. to the disease and the neg. to some other part of the 48 THE ELECTKOPATHIC GUIDE. foot. Slippers of wash-leather worn next to the feet, will aid in effecting a cure, and are con- sidered by many to be a preventive of the disease. CRICK IN THE NECK. Pos. in the mouth and neg. on the crick, 8. G. CRICK IN THE BACK. If the patient is strong and robust, or if there is a tendency of blood to the head, apply the neg. to the crick while the pos. is held in the mouth ; otherwise, the patient may be seated on the pos., C. CONSUMPTION. Many cases which have been supposed to be consumption in an advanced stage, have been cured by electrical treatment; but probably those who had charge of these cases were mistaken, either in the disease or as to the condition of the patient. But, without doubt, many cases of real Phthisis Pulmonalis, or consumption of the lungs, may be cured in the early stages by elec- trical treatment and a proper mode of living. Treatment. Sponge the lungs with the neg. \while the po-s. is held on the back, opposite or a THE ELECTROPATHIC GUIDE. 49 little above the neg., passing from the upper part of the lungs to the diaphram with the neg., and from the base of the brain to between the shoulders with the pos., keeping, as before directed, the latter opposite, or what is still better a little above the former, S. C.^ Should there be an unnatural sensitiveness about any part of the lungs or bronchial tubes on the ap- plication of the current, finish the treatment by reversing the poles and changing the current, holding the pos. for a moment on the sensitive parts, while the neg. is on the back, using P. C. If there is much irritation of the throat the 2)os. may sometimes be used in the mouth, con- nected with the Throat Director, instead of on the back, while the neg. is applied to the lungs. The above treatment may be given from eight to ten minutes daily, for a week or ten days, and afterwards less frequently. A Tonic treat- ment should also be given four or five times a .week. If accompanied with hemorrhage the neg. must not be applied to the lungs. It should be remembered that the lungs, in a normal condition, are more sensitive to the action of Electricity than some other parts of the body, hence, we employ a light current in treat- ing them. 50 THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. Regular and daily exercises, which are calcu- lated to equalize the circulation, expand the muscles of the chest and inflate the lungs, will aid in effecting a cure. The patient should also live mostly out of doors; not shutting himself up in the house entirely, even on a stormy day ; for by so doing, he will increase his sensitiveness to the changes in the weather and his liability to take cold, and in this climate, during some seasons of the year, might remain in-doors most of the time if he ventured out only in fine weather. It is much more difficult for women to do this than men, on account of their habits and style of dress; but it can and (if they would recover their health) slwuld be done. She must adopt a style of dress adapted to this mode of living; one that will protect her from dampness and cold, and at the same time be as light as possible ; and one, also, that will allow a free use of the muscles of the body. It is a great mistake to dress the body so much warmer than the ex- tremities. The latter are so much farther from the heating apparatus of the system than the former, that it really requires an extra amount of clothing to keep up the equilibrium of heat in them. Loose, warm shoes should be worn, THE ELECTKOPATHIC GUIDE. 51 and not exchanged when in-doors for light, thin slippers, as the temperature is much lower, in many apartments, in the lower part of them than elsewhere, and not unfrequently there are cold currents of air passing over the floor from un- der the doors and windows. The arms, legs and feet should be protected by flannels, wearing i/wo or three pairs, if necessary, to keep warm. The skirts should be short enough to escape the drabble of a dewy morning, or a damp day, so that there will not be a stock of wet dry goods to dry off around the ankles whenever one sits down to rest. And last, though not least, the weight of the clothing should rest on the shoul- ders, every band and seam of which should be loose enough to allow the free use of every muscle. The shortening of the skirts also les- sens the weight of the clothing and saves the friction (which is not inconsiderable) of sweep- ing ones, besides leaving the limbs untrammelled and thus rendering it an easier matter to walk, all of which are matters of importance to a feeble wo- man who can scarcely carry her own weight, and yet, in order to regain her health, must have exer- cise out of doors, where she may drink in life from an untainted atmosphere and gather strength from sunbeams undimmed by shade or drapery. 52 THE ELECTKOPATHIC GUIDE. COLD FEET. Seat on the pos. and rub the limbs thoroughly with the neg. / or, if there is a sense of fullness in the head, with a flushed face, or headache, put the neg. in the sponge and place it under the feet, then sponge the entire person with the pos., S. C. COLDS. If attended with chilliness, sore-throat, or headache, connect the throat instrument with the pos. pole and let the patient hold it in his mouth, as far back on the tongue as practicable, closing the mouth on it in order to make con- tacts with the roof of it and the tongue, and sponge the lungs and chest with the neg., using a light current. Wipe dry and rub with the hand until warm, then sponge the arms and spine in the same manner, using a stronger cur- rent and rubbing vigorously. If the mouth is too sensitive to admit of a strong current, treat only the upper half of the body while the pos. is in the mouth, and the lower half while it is at the base of the spine. If there is chilliness without sore-throat or headache, the entire treat- THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. 53 ment may be given with the. pos. at the base of the spine. If, instead of chills, there is fever, put the neg. in water with the feet and give a thorough sponging of the entire person with the pos. S, C. It may also be necessary to treat the throat. The patient should be kept warm during the treatment, and a warm foot-bath should be given during the whole of it. Colds are the fruitful causes of a large pro- portion of all the diseases which flesh is heir to, hence the importance of breaking them up im- mediately, which can be done effectually by one or two thorough electrical treatments. COLD, EST THE HEAD. Treat as acute catarrh. One or two treat- ments of ten minutes is usually sufficient to reach these cases if taken immediately, other- wise it may require several treatments. Use a light current on the head, P. (7., with the regu- lator partly in the helix, if not too strong to be agreeable, or a light 8. C., if the patient can bear it. The treatment may be repeated in six or eight hours, unless the patient is decidedly better. If attended with chills, treatment may 54 THE ELECTEOPATIIIC GUIDE. also be given with the pos. in the mouth while the neg. is passed up and down the spine and over the stomach, liver and bowels, af the same time give a warm foot-bath. CO1STTEACTED MUSCLES. Apply the neg. to the contracted muscle, and close the circuit with the pos. as the case may require. If muscles of the arms are contracted place the pos. in the hand, or between the shoul- ders; if those of legs, place the pos. at the feet or at the base of the spine, etc., S. C. mostly, though not entirely. CEOUP. Hold the pos. on the throat in front, (not on the lungs), for four or five minutes, while the neg. is passed up and down the spin from the shoulders to the base, then hold the pos., with a small sponge wrapped around it, at the root of the nose for three or four minutes while the' neg. is held between the shoulders ; after which, seat the patient on the neg. and sponge the neck and shoulders with the pos., bringing it up about the ears also. The second treatment should follow the first immediately, and both may be repeated in an hour if the patient is not THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. 55 relieved. Should there be much fever give general treatment as in fever, P. G. Take the regulator entirely out when treating the head. Keep the patient warm during treatment. This treatment is almost unfailing. CEAMPS. The neg. should be applied to the cramping muscles, closing the circuit with the pos. as the case may require. Example. Cramp in the stomach : apply the neg. to the stomach while the pos. is held on the tongue or at the base of the brain. Cramp in the legs : rub the legs with the neg. while the patient is seated on the pos., & C. CHOLEEA, MOEBUS. Apply the neg. to the stomach, bowels and spine, while the pos. is at the base of the spine, X C. Care should be taken that the patient does not get chilled while being treated. It is also very important that he should be kept quiet. CHOLEEA, INFANTUM. Treated as above, with P. C. 56 THE ELECTKOPATIIIC GUIDE. CHOLEEA, ASIATIC. Treated as in Cholera Morbus. In an ad- vanced stage, however, the neg. should "be ap- plied not only to the stomach, bowels and spine, but to the entire person, rubbing the limbs with a strong S. current. If necessary, the treatment may be repeated in half an hour or longer with P. O.j treating the stomach, bowels and spine especially. The treatment should be given in bed, and the patient, as far as possible, kept covered with flannels, with bottles of warm water about the person, and particularly at the feet, as it is very important that he should be kept warm. Keep him quiet also, and as hope- ful and cheerful as possible. Fear of cholera may, without doubt, induce the disease, there- fore do not talk cholera in his presence. This treatment will not preclude the use of other remedies, but, if given properly and in time, we believe it would seldom be necessary to call-in any such aid. DEAFNESS. Deafness may result from a disorganization of the structure of the ear, from paralysis of the auditory nerve, from obstructions, etc. THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. 57 If from disorganization, there is, of course, no cure. If from paralysis, there is hope in the case. Treatment : Fasten a bit of sponge on the ear instrument and connect it with the neg. pole, then introduce it carefully into the ear, and while it is held there by yourself, or the patfent, apply the pos. electrode with a small wet sponge on the back of the head between the centre and the other ear. Treat in this manner from five to fifteen minutes, commencing with a very light current and increasing it gradually. Another polarity would be, to seat the patient on the pos. and apply the neg. all about the ear, using the same precaution about the strength of the current ; use P. C. and 8. O. alternately. If caused by obstructions, the pos. may be held in the ear, in the mouth, and at the root of the nose alternately, while you apply the neg. to the back of the neck. When in the mouth use the Throat Insulator, P. C. DEBILITY. Give Tonic treatment ; and if there is par- ticular weakness across the chest, sponge that also with the neg. while the pos. is held on the back opposite. 3* 68 THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. DYSPEPSIA. Apply the neg. to the stomach, liver and bowels, (if constipated,) while the pos. is held on the tongue, or at the base of the brain. Tonic treatment should also be given. Should there be pain or soreness in the region of the stomach on passing the electricity through it, instead of the above treatment, apply the pos. to the stomach while the neg. is held on the spine opposite and a little below, S. C. It fre- quently requires a long course of treatment to effect a cure where the disease has been of years' standing, though good results may be obtained from a few treatments. DIPHTHERIA. This disease requires prompt and efficient treatment. When attended by a hard, full pulse and flushed countenance, give general treatment by placing the feet in warm water with the neg. and sponging the entire person with the pos. If the" pulse is weak, give general treatment by placing the pos. at the base of the spine and sponging the body with the neg. In all cases, when it is consistent, treat the throat by hold- THE ELECTROPATHIC GUIDE. 59 ing the pos. in the mouth, connected with the Throat Director, while the back of the neck, the shoulders, arms, spine and upper part of the body is sponged with the neg. If this cannot be done, then apply the pos. on the sides of the neck and about the ears, while the patient holds the neg. in the opposite hand; and, also, just above the nose while the neg. is held* between the shoulders. P. C. is to be used, except in the Tonic treatment. DIABETES. Most cases may be cured in the early stages by Tonic treatment. Use P. C. and S. G. alternately. DROPSY, GENERAL. Sponge the entire person with the neg. while the patient is seated on the pos., or, while he holds it in his mouth ; occasionally sponging the person with the pos. while the neg. is in water with the feet, P. C. If there is any local disease it should receive especial treatment. EAR-ACHE. Pos. in and about the ear while the patient holds the neg. in the hand opposite to the 60 THE ELECTEOPATIIIC GUIDE. affected ear. Commence with a light current and increase gradually. Treat until relieved, & G. SWELLING OF THE EAES. Treated as above, only it may not be neces- sary to use the instrument in the ear unless the internal far is swollen. EAES, RUNNING OF THE. Sometimes the ears discharge at intervals, or constantly for months and even years. When- ever this condition is accompanied with pain or soreness in or about the ear, treat as above. But when this is not the case, and there has been a fetid discharge more or less for some time, treat two days successively by seating on the pos. and applying the neg. to the entire body, but more especially in and about the affected ear or ears ; changing the treatment every third day by put- ting the pos. on the tongue, instead of at the base of the spine, then treating as above with the neg. Should the first method of treatment make the head ache, it may be finished up by wetting the head and applying the pos. to it for two or three minutes, while the patient holds the neg. in his hands, P, C. Give these treat- THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. 61 ments twice a week until there is a decided im- provement, then less frequently. Should there be scrofula in the system, an Sccasional treat- ment should be given by putting the feet in water with the neg. pole and sponging, the en- tire person, limbs and all, with the pos. The ears should be kept clean by syringing them out with warm water and a little castile soap. ENLARGED GLANDS. The pos. should be applied to the affected glands, while the circuit is^losed with the neg. as the case may require, P. C. If necessary, give general treatment as in scrofula. EPILEPSY. The condition of the patient during the pa- roxysm, (or fits,) and during the intervals is quite different and requires very different treat- ment. During the paroxysms the treatment is the same as that of apoplexy, except that the head is treated more and the spine less. The time to cure, however, is during the intervals. A care- ful examination should be made to ascertain if there is any derangement of the organs which 62 THE ELECTKOPATHIC GUIDE. causes the fits. If this is the case, local treat- ment must be given to remove the cause, and general treatment to give tone to the system, /& C. If there is no such cause existing, Tonic treatment is all that is required. Give it by sponging the entire person with the neg., espe- cially the stomach and bowels, while ihepos. is either at the base of the spine or on the tongue. The two treatments may be given alternately, unless there is a tendency to a rush of blood to the head. In that case treat mostly with the pos. on the tongue, 8. C. It may require two or three treatments a week, for months, to effect a cure, though some cas^s yield to treatment very readily. Great care should be taken to have the diet light and digestible. All excite- ment should be avoided. TKEATMENT OF THE EYE. The usual treatment of this delicate organ by oculists and physicians is severe and tedious, and it may be satisfactory to those who wish to try Electricity, to know that there is no pain or unpleasant sensation attending this mode of treatment when properly administered. If the eye has been diseased long, it will take time to cure. But, if curable, it is a safe and sure THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. 63 method of accomplishing it, if persevered in. Severe cases of long standing of inflammation, where the eye is ulcerated, or the lids granu- lated and thickened, may require an occasional treatment for a year or more. (This is more particularly the case when the eye has been treated a good deal with Costics, Blue Stone, etc.) Acute inflammation of the eye yields to electrical treatment very readily ; from one to three applications usually effects a cure. In all these cases great care should be taken to keep up a good circulation. Keep the hands and feet warm, and, if the patient is confined in a dark room, let him have a change of rooms, so that one can be thrown open to the sun and air while he occupies the other. The stomach and bowels should also be kept in good order, not by drugs, but by proper diet and elec- trical treatment. Enemas of water may be given, if necessary. EYES, INFLAMMATION OF. Attach the eye-glass to the pos. pole and fill it with pure soft water, then hold the eye in it while the neg. is held in the hand on the corres- ponding side. The handle of the glass should be kept perpendicular, and the head brought 64 THE ELECTKOPATI11C GUIDE. forward in a position that the eye may be en- tirely immersed in the water. The water should be changed once or twice during the treatment. Should there be pain about the eye, or in the head, use the pos. on the seat of the pain while the neg. is held in both hands, or, if the feet are cold, place it in water with the feet. Treat the eye from ten to thirty minutes as the case may require. Use S. C. Should the inflamma- tion be caused by a derangement of the sys- tem, general or local treatment must also be given, according to the condition of the case. A general treatment with the neg., while the pos. is on the tongue, is also advisable. Avoid rubbing the eyes with the hands in all cases. GRANULATED, OR THICKENED LIDS. The treatment of the eye should be the same as above, except that the P. C. should be used, and that usually general, and often other local treatment is necessary. A general treatment with the neg. while the pos. is held on the tongue is good in most cases. If there is scro- fula in the system, which is frequently the case, treat accordingly. If there is much debility, occasionally seat the patient on the pos. and THE ELECTKOPATHIC GUIDE. 65 sponge the entire person with the neg., using & a ULCEEATION OF THE EYE. Treat precisely as the above. OBSTEUCTION OF THE LACHETMAL DUCT. Pos. on the disease, neg. on the back of the neck, or in the opposite hand. P. C. BLINDNESS FEOM OPACITY OE FILM ON THE EYE. Pos. at the eye, as in inflammation, neg. in the hand. P O. An occasional treatment about the eye with the neg. for three or five minutes, while the pos. is on the spine, will promote ab- sorption and hasten a cure. S. C. should be used in this part of the treatment. Most cases of blinctoess from this condition can be cured by persevering treatment. CATAEACT. The pos. should be used at the eye with eye- glass as in inflammation of the eye and the neg. at the base of the spine. P. C. Give gen- eral treatment if necessary, and as the case may require. But few cases can be cured by an or- 66 THE ELECTEOPATIIIC GUIDE. dinary Electrical Machine, as they usually re- quire a compound battery. The advice of an experienced Electrician is desirable in these cases. When curable they require a long course of treatment. In most cases give Tonic treat- ment occasionally. AMAUEOSIS. The treatment for the eye is neg. at the eye with eye-glass filled with tepid water, and pos. at the base of the spine. Should there be much pain in the back of the head, the pos. may be held there a portion of the time instead of at the base of the spine. tS. C. If the pa- tient is debilitated, or if there is much derange- ment of the nervous system, a Tonic treatment should be given two or three times a week, while the treatment of the eye may be given from four to six times a week until 'there is a decided improvement in the case, and then less frequently. The case should be diagnosed carefully, as there is frequently some derange- ment in the system which causes, or, at least, aggravates the disease, and which must be re- moved in order to effect a permanent cure. A large portion of cases, however, are curable, though it may require considerable treatment. THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. 67 FACE-ACHE. If attended with heat and redness of the face, apply the pos. to the face, while the neg. is either at the feet or at the base of the spine. If attended with paleness of the face and de- bility, give Tonic treatment. FELONS. Place the hand or finger affected in a small vessel of water with the pos. while the neg. is held in the opposite hand. P. O . The suffering attending this painful disease may be greatly relieved at any stage, but to prevent suppura- tion it must be taken at an early stage. If very painful, a treatment (of ten or fifteen minutes) may be repeated every two or three hours. FEVERS. ' It would be a difficult task, in a work of this kind, or, indeed, in any work, to give instruc- tions to the inexperienced to treat fevers in their various types and stages. Yet most at- tacks may be broken up, or, at least, greatly modified, if taken in an early stage. Treatment. In sudden attacks, (or whenever the fever is high,) put the feet in warm water 68 THE ELECTROPATHIC GUIDE. with the neg. and sponge the entire person with the pos. 8. C. One or two treatments, with rest and abstinence from food for a day or two, is usually all that is necessary in sudden at- tacks. Should there "be any local difficulty, give treatment accordingly. And, if necessary, follow by Tonic treatment. Typhoid fever, if not complicated, will be thrown off by Tonic treatment in most, if not in all cases. And should it be complicated, or should there be local derangements, give especial treatment as the case may require. It is partic- ularly important in this type of fever that the patient should avoid all mental and physical effort. He should be kept quiet, but cheerful, and free from excitement. Great care should be taken in reference to diet, even when con- valescent. ERUPTIVE FEVER. If the eruption comes to the surface properly, treat as in the first case of fever, except that the P. C. should be used. If it does not, first give general treatment with neg. Place the pos. in the mouth, and sponge the upper portion of the person with the neg. / then place it at the base of the spine, and sponge the lower portion, THE ELECTROPATHIC GUIDE. 69 limbs and all. This is to bring the eruption to the surface. After which, treat as first directed, by placing the feet in warm water with the neg., and sponging the entire person with the pos. If the child is too young to hold the pos. in the mouth, that part of the treatment must of course be omitted, although it is very impor- tant. If the throat is sore, or if there are swellings about the ears or throat, apply the pos. thoroughly about the ears and neck while the patient holds the neg. in the hand opposite to the side which is being treated. P. C. should be used in the entire treatment. Great care should be taken to ventilate the sick room thoroughly in these cases. The above is the treatment for Measles, Scarlet Fever, etc. Keep the patient warm during treatment. FEVER AND AGUE. Apply the neg. over the liver while the pos. is held on the spine opposite, or in the mouth. This, with thorough tonic treatment, which should be given by seating the patient on the pos. and sponging the body, but more es- pecially the spine with the neg., is all that is necessary to break up the most obstinate cases. A strong secondary current should be used. A 70 THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. daily treatment should be given as long as ne- cessary, which will seldom exceed a week. Treat just before the time for the chill to come on. FEVEE AND CHILLS. Treat as in Fever and Ague, just before the time for the chill to come on. A treatment may be given for the fever if it runs high, but this will seldom be necessary. FLOODING, OE MENOEEHAGIA. Connect the Womb Insulator with the pos. pole, and introduce it into the vagina ; then ap- ply the neg. to the back and upper portion of the bowels. This treatment should be given while the patient is in bed. Commence with a light current, and increase it gradually, until the patient has as much as she can bear com- fortably. /SI 0. Avoid shocks from the battery, also all excitement. A general treatment with the neg., while the pos. is at the base of the spine, should be alternated with the local treat- ment. GOITEE. Apply the pos. to the tumor, while the neg. is held in the patient's hands, on the back of THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. 71 the neck (below the pos^) and at the base of the spine alternately. Give a general treat- ment occasionally with the neg., also treat occa- sionally as in scrofula. P. C. should be used on the tumor. A treatment of fifteen or twen- ty minutes should be given three or four times a week. If it is very large it may require sev- eral months to effect a cure. GEAVEL. This disease may be cured by proper electri- cal treatment, but it requires skill and ex- perience. HOARSENESS. The pos. should be held in the mouth con- nected with the Throat Insulato ', and over the throat in front, while the neg. is passed over the spine. P. C. If the hoarseness has become chronic and is accompanied with debility, give Tonic treatment. HEAET. Diseases of the heart are treated very suc- cessfully with Electricity, but, in complicated cases, they require skill and experience. They may also require a long course of treatment, as 72 THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. the patient is frequently so sensitive that the lightest current must be employed, and a very short treatment given, especially when unac- customed to^the sensation produced by Elec- tricity, and when there is inflammation. If there is an enlargement of the organ, or a thickening of the valves, or any obstruction, or if there is inflammation or dropsy, the pos. pole should be applied over the organ while the neg. is held on the back a little below the pos. and a little to the right side or at the base of the spine; the two polarities may be alternated. In these cases the patient is usually very sensi- tive to the current at first, so that it is some- times necessary to reduce the strength of the solution in using the primary current, which is the current to be used in all of these cases. Be careful that the patient receives no sudden shock from the current. If there is general Dropsy, give general treatment with the pos. while the neg. is at the feet. If it is merely a nervous affection, Tonic treatments will usually prove effective. Com- mence with a light current, increasing it gradu- ally according to the sensitiveness of the pa- tient. THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. 73 HEADACHE. If attended with redness of the face, heat in the head or flow of blood to it, wet the head thoroughly to the scalp and apply the pos. care- fully to it, while the neg. is at the base of the spine or at the feet. Use a very light secondary current, if the patient can bear it, otherwise P. O. Never treat the head with a current strong enough to cause severe pain. Should the pa- tient be chilly, treat the spine, stomach and liver with the neg. while the pos. is held on the tongue. When attended with paleness of the face, nervous prostration, or general debility, give Tonic treatment. SICK HEADACHE. Pos. on the base of the brain and neg. over the stomach, liver, (and bowels, if constipated.) This treatment will reach most cases ; still there are different causes for sick headache, and in order to effect a cure the cause must be re- moved. Constipation of the bowels is one of the most fruitful causes. (See Constipation.) HEKNIA. Pos. on the disease and neg. on the back op- .s'. ( '. 4 74 THE ELECTEOPATIIIC GUIDE. HIP DISEASE. Pos. on the hip and neg. at the foot P. and C. current alternately. Give Tonic treatment also, if the patient is debilitated, or treatment as in Scrofula, if necessary, which is frequently the case. HYSTEEIA. Pos. on the tongue, or on the cerebellum, and neg. over the chest, stomach and bowels. S. C. Also give Tonic treatment. f INFLAMMATION". / Inflammations are treated with the pos., clos- / ing the circuit with the neg. as the case may re- quire. S. C. usually. Inflammation of the \ lungs is an exception to the above rule. INSANITY. Many cases of insanity may be cured by proper electrical treatment, but it requires skill and experience to diagnose the case and decide upon the proper course to be pursued. INDIGESTION. Neg. on the stomach, pos. passed over the spine from the cerebellum to the base, or on the THE ELECTEOPATHIC GUIDE. 5 tongue. The two treatments may be alternated. & C. INDUEATIONS. The positive pole and primary current are always used in indurations. - KIDNEY, INFLAMMATION OF. Pos. over the kidneys and neg. in water with the feet. If attended with fever, the entire person may also be sponged with the pos. while the 'ne. is at the feet S. G. KIDNEY, HEIGHT'S DISEASE OF THE. First give a few treatments as above. After- wards treat the entire person (except the kid- neys), first, with the neg. while the pos. is in the mouth for the upper part of the body, and at the base of the spine for the lower half. Then put the neg. at the feet as before, and treat the entire person with the pos., but es- pecially the kidneys. The two last-named applications should be made at one sitting. The P. C. is to be used entirely in this disease. This 'treatment 1ms been followed with the most satisfactory results 76 THE ELECTKOPATHIC GUIDE. in cases which had teen given up as hopeless by medical attendants. LEUCOKKH