The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-04-05

through the circuit outside. The hui
man body with its moist tissues, is re-
garded as the liquid Ga two per cent.
solution of common salD, the Lead
bullet imbedded in the body forms
one of the metal surfaces, while an
electrode of aluminium inserted in the
patients mouth forms the other A
wire connects the aluminium electrode
with the aluminum-tipped probe of
flexible material, which is introduced
into the wound in the path of the bull
let. Within the circuit is a wire lead
ing to the telephone sounder, made
with a double helix and exceedingly
sensitive. This the surgeon adjusts to
the ear while he probes for the bullet.
Now it becomes plain how it is pos
sible to locate a hidden bullet by hear
ing, for no sooner does the aluminium
tip Of the probe come in contact with
the lead of the bullet than the circuit
is completed, the patients body is
changed into battery, the liquids of
the tissues having a chemical effect
upon the two metals, and the electric
current which is set flowing forthwith
acts upon the telephone sounder in the
ordinary way and the surgeon knows
by the sound that his search has been
successful. So long as the probe
touches only the tissues or bone or
OlIcI SUBSTANCE OIL the DOQy LnG cir
cult is incomplete and the telephone
sounder remains mute, but let the two
metals come together and Immediately
distinct and characteristic buzzing is
heard and continues while the contact
is maintained.
In cases where there is no open
wound, but where bullet has been
imbedded in the body long enough to
allow the flesh to heal, an aluminium
needle is used instead of the flexible
probe. the needle being inserted into
the part of the body where the bullet
is known to be. Having reached a de-
sired depth in the tissues, the sur
geon moves the needle back and forth,
making the point explore region per-
haps an inch in diameter. If the bull
let is imbedded there, the sounder gives
warning of the fact and if not the
surgeon draws out the needle and re-
peatS the operation in new insertion
continuing thus until the bullet is
found. When that happens he de-
taches the wire from the needle, which
is left in the patients body in contact
with the bullet, which serves later as
a guide to the operating knife.
Another way in which the human
body may with good results be turned
into a battery, is in cases where it is
desired to remove certain tumorS, alb
scesses, birthmarks, warts and other
unpleasant growtfls, and this without
leaving scars, as might happen from
the use of THE knife. A circuit being es-
taiblshed through the body, needle
or properly shaped electrode is gently
introduced into the substance to be
annfhilated and Immediately as is true
whenever a current passes Through a
liquid chemical change begins, the
liquid which forms the bulk of the
offending growth being gradually de
composed into its constituent gases,
and so passing away leaving but
slight residue of solid matter. Re
peated applications of this treatment
are necessary to entirely drive away
the growth, but steady gain is noted
with successive applications until fin
ally in large number of cases the
patient finds himself entirely rid of his
trouble, no scar remaining and no pain
having been experienced.
CLEVELAND MOFFETT.