New-York tribune., 1912-03-24
Extinction of Disease Is
Threatened by Diathermy

materials of the system are burned up and
afterward eliminated through the natural
channels
THAT this form Of electricity can also be
successfully employed to sterilze and rem
der harmless certain disease bearing
germs within the body, without in the least
iniuring sound tissue, | have repeatedly
demonstrated. For example, when a dia-
thermic electric current sufficiently strong
TO produce a localized internal heat of from
10 10 ll5 degrees, Fahrenheit IS sent
through the body the bacteria OF various
sorts which are within its field are either
made innocuous or are destroyed. Such
germ diseases as tuberculosis, pneumonia,
pleurisy, acute rheumatism. gout ca
tarrhal appendicitis and some cases Of can
Ger may properly he treated by this
method. 1t may be used also IN harden
ing Of the arteries, some forms Of heart
disease, nephritis Inflammation Of the
kidneys and Cirrhoss Of the liver. Indeed,
reasoning from the currents physiological
effects. its employment would be worth
while even In certain kinds Of insanity,
particularly such cases as depend upon
internal poisoning
zone gets a tonic or destructive effect
according to the strength of the current
applied. Moderate currents Of from onc-t
quarter to throe-quarters of an ampcre.
used with large electrodes. insti vital
energy into the body and stimulate all its
functional activities; whereas strong cur
rents, introduced through small electrodes
within a small area. destroy the tissues.
10 g.,
that, by means Of it. greater heat can
be generated within the body than ON the
skin which is i'm actual contact with the
electrodes. | demonstrated this by taking
the liver Of calf and placing thcr-
momcter at either end. near where the
electrodes were applied; ] then placed
third thermometer within the liver. After
few moments exposure to tho current
the central thermometer showed several
degrees more of heat than did either Of the
other two.
Locally. the dathcrmic current has an
affinity for diseased tissue. Cvagu'atiUc IL.
and. when the current is sufficiently strong,
destroying it. and this without iuf'jcting the
least injury upon the healthy surrounding
parts"
How is the dilthcrmic current applied
HOW THE CURRENT is APPLIED.
The patient is placed upon o platform
with glass legs. for insulation purposes
and CONNECTED with this Wapplor high fire.
quency electric machine by means Of two
bock-tin electrodes. For general vitaliza-
tion I apply the electrodes over the solar
plexus and spinal cord, using "a moderate
current Of about one-haf Of an ampcrc for
ten or fifteen minutes at sittinG. tn"
tonic action Of the current is extraordinary.
showing itself more particularly In reGu-
lating the action of the heart and In equel-
izing the blood pressure. To the nervous
system new energy is impaired by estab-
fishing a normal electric equilibrium in thc
interceIlular nervous structures.
But these physiological actions of the
diathermic current arc not due to mere
stimulation Of the nervous energy, which
is already stored in the body, but 10 actual
energy impaired from without and dis
tributed within the body in form ready
to use. on account Of its vitalizing ana
reparative properties The diathermic treat
ment is especially valuable in kidney, liver
and heart diseases In Brights disease, or
chronic Inflammation Of the kidneys. out OF
twenty-siX cases treated by this method
fifteen were cured
Just how do you treat Brights disease
by diathermy?"
Small metal electrodes are placed over
the kidneys Of patients suffering from this
affection. while a larger electrode is placed
directly on the opposite side Of the abdo-
men. When a moderate current is turned
on the kidneys are warmed and Wtalizcd'
prolonged blood supply is impaired TO
them. and there is a markedly increased
flow Of lymph, which washes the kidneys
free Of poisons, bacteria and diseased