Evening star., 1902-02-19
TO SAVE CONsUMPTIvEs
Striking Results From the Use Of
Electricity.
From the London Mail.

From the London Mail
Experiments are being made on a most
elaborate scale in London with a modifica-
uon or Teslas high-frequency electrical
currents for the treatment of consumption
and 1t Is stated that some remarkable re-
suits have been achieved
These experiments have for the most part
been conducted by Mr. T. j. Bohemian a
west End surgeon. In the course Of his
private practice and with the knowledge
and approval Of the first consumptiye sne-
cialists. For various reasons. but prInci-
pally because of the evil results which
might accrue If the system were used by
any but the most experienced medical men
with a perfect knowledge of the forces
they would be dealing with. the experl-
ments have been quietly conducted and an.
plications for the details of the methods
nave not been encouraged. Mr. Bohemian
mas had ftted up most elaborate appliances
lof the production of the electricity in the
particular form in which it is used the
net result of which il that a current of
So,UO volts is produced of such high fire.
quency and administered In such small
quantities that the consumptive patient
may receive 1t without the slightest injury
The aWe-fnspiring extent of this voltage
may be best appreciated when II Is re-
membered that only 500 volts are employed
for driving the trains on the Central LON
uoo railway. Yet the patient is not con-
sclous of the enormous electrical pressure
BY one method of this treatement the pa
lent Is laid In reclining position upon a
seat. and the chest Is laid bare or mar
TALLY bare. The back of the chair Is in
sulated. and thus when the patient receives
the current from the electrical machine a
complete electrical circuit is established
through the floor. The current is applied
from an electrical brush held a few inches
from the body. When the apparatus is
then set working the electricity is dis
charged from the end of the brush with q
loud cracking noise. a faint smell as of
ozone. and the appearance of number OF
lines of electrical blue fire. Thus is the
current passed through the chest a slight
warmth only being experienced by the per-
son receiving II. This is the monopolar
method.
By the other method. and the one which
Mr, Bokenham is inclined to favor. the
patient, In the same posture as before
simply takes hold of a handle like that Of
an ordinary galvanic battery and receives
the 10000 volts till he Is what is described
as supersaturated with electricity. He feels
nothing whatever. but IL an attendant
touches his skin sparks fly out In all direc-
tions. When he is undergoing this treat
ment Mr.. Bohemian purposely applies his
finger to the most affected parts Of the
chest. thus concentrating the electricity
there for the time being.
BY both systems the application lasts for
ter or fifteen minutes at time. and the
treatment Is undergone three or four times
a week or daily. The first result Is that on
each occasion there is pronounced rise in
temperature. Usually 1t Is a rise Of two or
three degrees. but in at least one case 1t
has amounted to as much as six. What the
precise nature Of the physical effect is is
matter of some uncertainty at present, but
the Improvement in the patient in some
respects Is beyond all doubt.
Mr.. Bokenham'S experience is that In very
bad cases of consumption the cough has
been greatly reduced, the night sweats
have disappeared, the appetite has improv-
ed, and there has been a great gain In
weight and general health, SO that even II
the consumption bacilli have not been de-
strOyed, 1t is certain that their vrulence
has been much decreased: that they have
been brought under control, and the
patient has felt cured The doubt enter
tanned by phthisis specialists, who do not
question the temporary improvement, Is
whether 1t is anything burt mere exhilara-
ton.
The operator, however has great faith in
the future of the system. In one case q
remarkable result has been effected by It.
A gentleman was, after every other treat
ment. to all appearances In the last stage
Of consumption. 1t was said that he had
no healthy lung left to breathe with; his
business had been abandoned, and for a
long period he was practically confined to
his room. He received the treatment daily,
and he is now to all appearances recovered,
and has resumed his professional work
The questions now to be solved are as to
what Is precisely the effect upon the bacil-
lus OF tho $4,000 volts. and whether the ef-
feet Is IN any way permanent