Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-22
Nniice. of Now Books.

ETECTRO-THERAPE FOR STU
dents. General Practitioners. and Spe-
ciallsts. by Horatio Il. Bigelow, VI. d.
Permanent Member Of the American
Medical Association. etc, and Thirty
eight Associate Editors. Thoroughly
Illustrated. Philadelphia: The +.
4 Davis Company. Publishers. Lon
don: +. J. Rebman. 1894. Price, $500
to $40. according to binding.
There are numbers of physicians whose
recollection can readily revert 10 the
time when the electrical treatment OF
disease first began to assume even re-
spectacle semblance OF scientific method,
and who can recall a period of which,
when looked at by the light Of their pre-
sent knowledge, they feel almost
ashamed The change from then to now
is great indeed. both in the apparatus
used and the system which governs the
use Of It. In place of plain wooden box
containing q common horseshoe magnet
and coils of wire, with a crank to turn
on the current through a pair of tin
plate handles, we have the gor-
geous electrical cabinet, Respondent
bewilderng, and awe-compelling, with
tent to elicit in the most convenient
manner any desirable physical. cheml-
cal, or physiological effect Of electricity;
while in place Of the simple plan Of shak-
verify, administered in any way which
was the most handy, We have a highly
elaborated scheme OF therapeutic pro-
cedures. which, If it is not science. looks
so much like science that the younger
members OF the medical profession at
least are fascinated by 1t at once.
Some Of the old-time physicians. how
ever. it must be admitted, are not yet
fully converted to the modern views con-
corning the curative powers Of electricity.
They know that appearances are decep-
tive. and that what looks Ike science
may not be science after all. Astrology,
for example. say they, is most emnently
scientific in looks, being founded upon
astronomy, and its practice up TO a GER
tain point being in accordance with the
methods of this most exact Of all the sell
ences. They allow that electricity can
alter or destroy animal structures by it's
direct physical or chemical action. but
they are not quite sure that il is in
trinsicaly a curative agent, ana are
prone TO attribute more virtue to the
hypnotic influence of the imposing array
of brass and glass than TO the electrical
output of the combination.
II anything can change the opinions OF
these honest. but. perhaps, too conserva-
tive critics, 1t is this book. Herein is
contained an immense amount and va
ricty Of information on electro therapeu-
tics the outcome of what appear to he
careful observations made by trust
worthy experts having great opportuni>
ties. These experts are leading represen-
tatives OF their science as 1t is now ex-
pounded both in Europe and America,
and it would be difficult to point out "A
more authoritative exposition of the ap-
plication Of electricity 10 medicine than
they have given in their contributions
to this volume. Two female physicians
are among the contributors. and il is no
more than justice TO say that their ar
tices afford no internal indications that
they are not written by males.
The book Is very full, numbering 1.18
pages. and it is also very comprehensive.
the maladies for which electrical treat
ment is prescribed beginning as low down
as the humble corn and running as high up
as the majestic metro-salpingo-o ophorits.
1t can safely be recommended as a rich
mine from which any one practicing cleo
tro-therapy can very surely extract
something valuable. 1t should also be
said that the facts and principles Of
electricity itself as a science apart from
its applications are here very ably pre-
scented. so that the book will be found
exceedingly useful 10 whoever wishes to
be familiar with this wonder OF our time
The book Is well Illustrated, and among
the illustrations are some interesting re-
productions of old engravlngs showing
how the earlier electricians worked.
In voluminous treatise we are pre-
pared to find an occasional oversight.
We find rather too many in this, and
some of them are quite glaring. Every
now and then. too. compiler OF these
hard facts becomes galvanically eloquent
and cNvets aiarmingly on the dangerous
brink Of the sublime.
For sale by j. w. Randolph Co.
THE GIRL IN CHECKS; OR THE MYs-
Terry OF THE MOUNTAIN CABIN.
BY Rev. j. w. Daniel, IL. Pickett,
Columbia, S. c. 1852. Pages, 2os. Price
10 cents.
This author bears a name known In
all Virginia. He Is a jealous young
Methodist preacher. who offers us his
experiences and observations as such du-
ring his first minlstrations among the
mountains Of South Carolina We have
sketches OF grand scenery. Of mountain
eers' worship and theology. of their
roughness. mingled with both kindness and
cruelty; OF their politics and patriotism.
with a plenty Of story, both tragic and
pathetic, and even "a little humor The
moonshiners also figure before us.
His effort to add leafiet to southern
literature II certainly cOmmendable
Practice, pruning. and literary reading
viii greatly improve his prospect Of sue