The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-20
USES OF ELECTRICITY
IT'S EMPLOYMENT FOR MEDICAL
PURPOSES Is INCREASING RAPIDLY.
Current Methods Of Application and
the Complaints Benefited-Vaiuabie
I'm Treating Nervous Diseases.

Correspondeuce OF the Indianapolis Journal.
NEW YORK, Sept. 19.-Recently gathered
statistics show that the use Of electricity for
medical purposes among the best class OF
practitioners in this State is increasing rap
idly.
The fear that the use of this valuable
therapeutic agent would be ignored by the
better-cIass physician therefore appears to
have been unwarranted. / am glad TO see
that this is the case and to quote from the
forthcoming report some facts concerning
the current methods Of application and the
complaints most readily benefited.
The physiological or functional properties
OF galvanIc, faradic and static electricity
are very much the same. yet in my expert
ence, and in that OF others included in the
report. results are best when the galvanic
Is kept for nerve trouble and adhesions,
faradic for muscle and nutrition and static
for both. 1t has been said that the negative
pole retards nerve degeneration and the
positive accelerates II. The negative pole dis
solves, exudates and exerts what may be
termed reabsorbtive action. The action OF
the positive pole Is caustic or astringent,
depending upon the strength OF the current.
There are many diseased conditions OF the
body very much benefited by the use Of
electricity. First. we have paralysis, local
or central, or partial In either condition the
muscles show a marked progress toward loss
Of tone and fiabbiness. This can be pre-
vented and tone built up by the use OF either
the faradic. galvanic or static currents. The
degeneration Of local nerves can be proved
by galvanic test. Pain due to nerve, muscle
or any cause. can often be very much re-
lieved, IL not entirely stopped. Here we may
include nervous neuralgia, rheumatic and
inhammatory conditions. recent sprains and
iumbago. Fibrous anchylosis and tendons
attached to sheaths are very much helped
by any OF the three currents and more par
ticularly by the galvsnic with salt solu-
ton upon the anode or positive pole.
STATIC CURRENT USEFUL.
The many uses of static electricity in
combination with the x-ray are constantly
Increasing and 1t is found that the static
current in neurasthenia is as good as any
agent known in the treatment of many of
these unfortunate conditions. The tonic eff
feet o. static electricity does not exceed that
OF the galvanic or faradic; the careful and
thorough use of the galvanic and faradic
current constitutes one Of the greatest ton
ics and stimulants that can be brought to
bear upon the human system. 1t awakens
torpid conductivity OF every nerve thread in
the body and its greatest benefits can be
demonstrated In the aged in whom loss Of
superficial sensation can be proved, only to
quickly return after a few treatments by
the galvanic and faradic currents. The gall
vanic current should be used never longer
than ten minutes to begin with for fear Of
reaction. such as chills and nervousness.
But it is some trouble to disrobe and the
using these currents. The static apparatus
here comes in as a quick and convenient
method OF giving electricity. and as an en-
thusiastic patient once remarked, 1T Is
good for whatever ails you
While the constant current has proved so
very useful to the medical profession for
diagnosis for stimulating nerve and muscle.
for concentration and for electrical endos-
copy, We must not neglect its cataphoric
effect by which remedial agents are scat
tered or difused through the tissues and
fluids of the body, to improve nutrition, to
produce anesthesia, to relieve pain, to de-
stroy germs, to modify morbid processes
and to make soluble chemical combinations
with deleterious substances which collect in
the organism. The medicines used are the
iodde OF potassium. sodium lithium, nor
NAL salt. iodal or diluted tincture of iodine.
upon positive anode; chloride. benzoate or
citrate of lithium, all very soluble. in govt
or rheumatism. These remedies are lauded
very much in the treatment of exopthalnc
gotre. and there must be a substantial ba-
sis to this claim, for the galvanic is often
used in goitre with good. often marked re-
suits. In such cases the positive pole should
be placed over the gland or any enlarged
gland for five minutes
x-RAY USED TOO MUCH.
The uses of the X-ray in diseased condi-
lions has been very much overworked.
There is. however. one condition that yields
to its influence. and that is the chronic. su-
perfcial forms OF lupus. The deeper forms
will often apparently heal only to reappear.
The indications for it's use are: To relieve
pain. TO lessen edema, to promote absorb
tion. TO act as parasiticide. to act as a bac-
tericide. to cause the destruction of rnalig-
nant growths, to prevent the recurrence of
malignant growths; these are but some of
the indications for the employment of this
agent. From a long list OF special reports. I
have collected the following cures-Iupus.
superficial; lupus deep; tuberculosis of the
glands. lungs, skin or bones epithelioma.
goitre, rodent ulcers. eczema, carcinoma.
osteosarcoma. removing moles and other
similar cures, neuralgia.
JOSEPH c. CLARK, NJ. d.