CERTAIN IMPROVED INSTRUMENTS FOR FACILI TATING THE CURE OF DISEASE BY ADMINISTERING GALVANIC INFLUENCE INTO THE HUMAN BODY
Year: 1834

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, Jonn
ISAAC HAWKINS, of Pancras Vale, in the Parish of Saint Pancras, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS is present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Thirteenth day of March, in the fourth year of His reign,
did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
John Isaac Hawkins, His especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said John Isaac Hawkins, my exors, adiñiors, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said John Isaac Hawkins, my exors, adñiors, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, the Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed, the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVED INSTRUMENTS FOR FACILI
TATING THE CURE OF DISEASE BY ADMINISTERING GALVANIC INFLUENCE INTO THE
HUMAN BODY," communicated to me by the Inventor, Daniel Harrington, a
foreigner residing at Philadelphia, in the United States of North America;
in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso that I, the said John
Isaac Hawkins, shall cause a particular description of the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled
in His said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters

page_text: Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more
fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Isaac Hawkins, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention
of Certain Improved Instruments for facilitating the Cure of Disease by
Administering Galvanic Influence into the Human Body, as communicated to
me by the said Inventor, is fully set forth, and the manner of carrying the
same into effect clearly explained, in the following description thereof, reference
being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the Letters and Figures
herein contained, as compared with the same Letters and Figures marked on
the Drawings, that is to say:-
The said Daniel Harrington having by long observation discovered that
galvanic influence or galvanic electricity acts more beneficially in the cure of
disease when applied to the human system with a slight degree of intensity
excited only by the natural fluids of the body than when made to operate
with great power by means of batteries or voltaic piles forced into violent
action by acidulated liquids; and has also discovered that although the cuticle
or scarf skin is an imperfect conductor of galvanic electricity, yet on being
pressed closely upon the cutis vera or true skin, the influence is more freely
transmitted through the cuticlo to the nerves, stimulating them to beneficial
action in removing the causes of disease; and in consequence of these dis-
coveries has exerted himself with great diligence and skill to the production of
various instruments calculated for administering the galvanic influence gently
to the external surface, and into the natural orifices, apertures, passages,
hollows, recesses, or cavities of the human body, namely, into the cars, nostrils,
mouth, stomack, navel, vagina, urethra, bladder, rectum, or armpits, or into
artificial apertures made by puncturation of the cuticle, and also into depres-
sions or indentations made by the pressure of blunt. points or small surfaces
upon the cuticle.
Descriptions of these instruments, and the modes of constructing them,
having been communicated to me by the said Daniel Harrington, I hereby
declare the Invention claimed under the present Letters Patent to consist of
the various instruments herein-after described, compounded of silver and zinc,
or of copper and zinc, or of any two differently oxidable metals or metallic
alloys, by which galvanic influence is excited, the said instruments being re-
spectively so variously constructed as to convey the mild galvanic influence in
a convenient manner into or near upon the parts of the body on which it is
desirable to operate; some forms of these instruments being also made into
hollow vessels for the purpose of holding warm water whereby the parts of

page_text: the body operated upon may be raised in temperature and thus brought
into a state still more favourable for the reception of the electric action than
in the state of ordinary bodily heat. The Drawings hereunto annexed shew
several forms of instruments for the said intention, adapted to various orifices,
apertures, cavities, and superfices of the body, and the following description
explains those Drawings, and also describe some other forms, of which cluci-
datory Drawings could not easily be given, but the construction of which are
clearly explained by words.
Fig. 1 represents the simplest form of the Invention; being a plate of silver
and a plate of zinc soldered together edge to edge, forming one compound
plate of two metals. s, the silver;, the zinc. This instrument when made
of the length and breadth shewn in the Drawing, and about the one hundredth
part of an inch thick, this is to be placed in the mouth upon the gums for the
cure of tooth-ache, being first bent to fit the curve of the jaw; and when
made of a larger size, say from two to four inches long and wide by one
fiftieth of an inch thick, with the surface a little curved, will prove a conve-
nient instrument to be laid with the concave side on a swelled or pained ancle,
or any other protuberant part of the body upon which it can be tightly bound,
in order to stimulate the nerves of the part to a more healthy action, and aid
in the cure of local disease.
Fig. 2 shews an elongated form of the two plates, which, instead of being
soldered together, are laid one overlapping the other and tied together so that
the instrument may be varied in length at pleasure, in order that the faces
of the extremities, distinguished by the term dises, may lie on distant parts of
the body, the dimensions of course depending on that distance and on the
magnitude of the parts of the body to be operated on, and for the convenience
of tying or binding the parts of the instrument overlapping each other, distin-
guished by the term arms: the arms may be made narrower than the dises, as
shewn in the Drawing. The instrument therefore consists of a disc and arm
of silver, and a disc and arm of zinc, bound together by the arms. A, a flat
view; B, an edge view; s, silver; z, zine; a, string. The arms in contact with
cach other may be wrapped all around with silk, woollen, or other cloth, in
order to insulate them from the body of the patient, and cause the electric
circulation to pass through the instrument, and through the parts of the body
lying between the dises. When the discs are to lie upon the protuberances
the faces of them may be concave and smooth, when on flat but firm parts the
faces may be flat and smooth, when on bollow parts the faces may be convex;
but when on very soft parts, then the faces should be formed into a number of
blunt points or small protuberant surfaces, so that great pressure may be given

page_text: upon many places of the cuticle at once without the whole pressure being
inconvenient, and thus that the galvanic influence may be readily transmitted
into the nervous system through the compressed cuticle.
Fig. 3 shews a view and profile of a flat face, having pointed elevations
made by filing a number of grooves crossing each other, converting the whole
face into a great number of pyramids. In this case, the dises might well be
made about one sixteenth of an inch thick, soldered on to arms of the
hundredth part of an inch or less in thickness, so that they may be easily
bent to bring the faces in proper contact with the required surfaces of the
boly. For the sake of economy the silver dise may have a copper arm, since
it is covered with cloth and does not come in contact with the skin of the
patient. A, a view of the face; B, section through a line of pyramids; a, the
dise; b, a portion of the arm. Another mode of producing a number of ele-
vations on the face of the disc is, to make it about one hundredth part of an
inch thick, and lay the face on the end grain of a block of wood, and then,
with a conical steel point or centre punch, make a number of indentations at
the back of the dise; and the same number of blunt conoidal points will be
raised on the face; C, section through a line of indentations. Alternate
elevations and depressions may also casily be formed by making a number of
holes of about a quarter of an inch diameter and about a sixteenth of an
inch apart, in a thin plate of silver, and tying or rivetting the same upon a
plate of zine; or by making the holes in a thin plate of zine, and tyeing it on
upon a silver plate. D, a view of a perforated silver plate tyed on to a zinc
piece. One such pair of plates may also form a complete instrument by itself;
s, silver;, zine; a, string. Tyeing will have this advantage over rivetting, that
the plates may easily be separated to be cleaned.
Fig. represents one end of an instrument similar to Fig. 3, except that
to the disc a hollow vessel is affixed capable of holding warm water. A. side
view; B, edge view; a, the vessel; b, the cork hole; c. cork; d, part of the
arm the other end of the instrument will be similar in form. One of these
hollow vessels will of course be made all of zinc, but the other for the sake
of economy may be made one side of copper, and the side only that is to come
in contact with the skin need be of silver: the figure of this silver side being
the face of the instrument must be accommodated to the part of the body on
which it is to operate. The form shewn in Figure 4 is suitable for being
applied in the armpits for electrizing the heart and lungs, the copper sides
being covered with cloth to keep them from touching the arms of the patient.
The arms of the instrument must be long enough to reach across the breast
of the patient.

page_text: Fig. 5 shews part of a similar instrument to Fig. 4, but with the addition
of a conical nozzle with a hemispherical end projecting from the middle of the
face, of dimensions proper to be inserted into the orifice of the car of the
patient; the projection from the zinc vessel will be of zinc, the body of the
other vessel may be all of copper, and the projection only made of silver, since
no other part is to come in contact with the ear; the copper may all be
covered with cloth to keep in the heat of the water for a Jonger time, and
hinder the copper from touching the patient's skin. A, B, a, b, c, d, refer to
the same parts as in Fig. 4; e, the nozzle. The arms of this instrument must
be long enough to reach round the head of the patient.
Fig 6 represents a modification of the instrument applicable to the feet of
the patient in bed, calculated to promote an electric circulation through both
the lower limbs and through the bowels, stimulating them to action. A, face
view; B, profile; (a), two small hollow vessels, one of copper and one of zinc,
each about three or four inches diameter, and five or six inches long; b, two
sockets or necks, through which the vessels are to be filled and emptied;
c, corks; d, a piece of thick sheet copper or zinc, to the ends of which the
water vessels are soldered, this piece forms the communication between tho
vessels, and at the same time causes this instrument to lie in bed with the faces
towards the soles of the patient's fect e, a disc of silver and a disc of zinc,
having blunt points formed on the outside, are soldered to the vessels to form
the faces of the instrument against which the feet of the patient are to be
placed the silver disc is to be affixed to the copper vessel, and the zinc disc
to the zinc vessel: all the instrument, except the two faces and the two cork
holes, may be covered with cloth. In another modification of the instrument
one long cylindrical vessel, say a foot long, and three or four inches in diameter,
one half of its length copper, and the other half zinc, may have the two discs
soldered on near the ends of the vessel.
Fig. 7 shews this modification. A, face view; B, end view; a, the water
vessel; b, the cork hole and cork; c, the discs with blunt points; d, a block of
wood affixed to the cylinder, and so placed that the instrument may lie in bed
in a convenient position for the feet of the patient to be pressed against the
faces of the instrument. The cylindrical figure of this vessel is of no con-
sequence; it may assume various forms with equal effect.
Fig. 8 shews a modification in form of the instrument, convenient to be
used on the abdomen, side, or other concave part of the patient. A, face view;
B, profile; a half of the vessel made of copper; b, the other half, made of
zine; c, the cork hole and cork. d, the discs, with blunt points. The
dimensions, proportions, and curvature of this instrument should be made

page_text: nearly to fit the part of the body on which it is to be used. The instruments
described under Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and S, will be generally made double the size
of the Drawings. All the following Figures are drawn of full size; but the
instruments will be made in practice larger or smaller, according to con-.
venience.
Fig. 9 shews a modification of the instrument for electrizing the inside of
the rectum. a, a cylindrical water vessel, half the cylinder being copper and
the other half zine; b, cock hole and cork; c, a hollow cylinder, termed the
nozzle, half silver and half zine, united longitudinally, open to the water vessel
at one end, and closed hemispherically at the other end. This instrument
being filled with water, heated to a temperature as much above the natural
heat of the patient as can be comfortably endured, the nozzle is to be
lubricated with oil or fat, and then inserted by a gently twisting motion into
the rectum, which will generally be found in cases of constipation of the
bowels to stimulate and augment the peristaltic motion mildly but effectually,
so as to produce a speedy dejection of the faces, without occasioning succeed-
ing debility and the early return of costiveness, too often the consequences of
cathartic medicines taken in the stomach. The form just described is con-
venient for use by a patient in a recumbent posture, but it may accommodated
to the sitting posture by enlarging the diameter of the water vessel to ten or
twelve inches, and reducing the depth to one or two inches, and covering the
same with a cushion having a hole in the middle for the nozzle to pass
through.
Fig. 10 represents an instrument constituted of the nozzle of Fig. 9. united
to a flauch, which may be employed in the rectum in cases where the natural
heat of the body may be deemed sufficient to promote the galvanic action,
without the aid of warm water. A, view of the instrument, formed of a pieco
of silver and a piece of zinc soldered together longitudinally; B, section of the
same; C, view of another construction of the instrument, formed of alternate
ferrules of silver and zinc; s, the silver; 2, the zine; a, the flanch to prevent
the instrument from entering too deeply.
Fig. 11 represents a form of the instrument to be worn in the rectum for a
considerablo time without much inconvenience in a case of obstinate constipation,
the neck of the instrument allowing the sphincter ani muscle to close upon it,
and thus be relieved from the muscular tension which would be painfully felt
if either of the instruments Figures 9 or 10 were continued long in use.
Fig. 12 shews a form of instrument by which the electric action within the
rectum may be intermitted or continued at pleasure. =, the zinc tube and
flanch called the nozzle; s, a silver cylindrical rod, with a hemispherical end

page_text: sliding through the tube; a, an adjusting ferrule and thumb screw to be
fixed at any part of the outer end of the sliding rod to limit the distance of
its protrusion through the nozzle. In using this instrument the tip end of the
sliding piece is to be protruded a small distance through the nozzle, when
after having been lubricated they are both together to be inserted into the
rectum as far as the flanch will permit. The slider is then to be drawn
outwards until its inner end shall come within the nozzle, so that the nozzle
only shall be in contact with the interior of the passage, and thus that the
galvanic action may be suspended. The action is again renewed by pressing
the sliding piece inwards until its end protrudes through the nozzle and
touches the inner parts of the passage; and thus, by alternately pressing in
and withdrawing of the slider, a succession of slight galvanic shocks will be
produced. The shocks may be limited to a deeper or shallower part within
the passage by means of a sheath of ivory, mother-of-pearl, or other im-
perfect conductor being placed over such part of the nozzle as may require to
be held in a neutral state. The two metals may also be insulated from each
other by means of a tube of imperfectly conducting material lining the whole
length of the aperture of the nozzle, or the nozzle may be made with the
inserting end of mother-of-pearl and the other end of zinc, by which means
the alternate insultation and contact will be effected by the alternate with-
drawing and pressing inwards of the sliding piece, until the ferrule comes in
contact with the flanch.
Fig. 13 shews a form of the instrument for electrizing the intestines higher
up than the rectum, without at the same time affecting the parts near the
orifice. a, a tube and flanch to remain stationary in the rectum during
the operation. This tube may be of metals, ivory, mother-of-pearl, or any
other smooth and hard substance. b, a stem of whalebone, or other flexible
material, sufficiently firm for the purpose, and being an imperfect conductor of
galvanic electricity. This stem slides freely in the tube. c, a ball of half
silver and half zinc, fixed on the inner end of the stem, to be inserted so far
up the intestines as is convenient. Two, three, or more such balls may be
fixed on the end of the stem, to increase the galvanic surface and strengthen
the effect. d, a ring and socket, screwed on upon the whalebone for a handle.
Figure 14 represents another modification of the instrument, by which
intermittent action may be effected within the rectum. , a nozzle of zinc;
8, a ball of silver and a neck of silver; a, a stem of whalebone; b, the handle
c, the adjusting ferrule or stop. In this instrument the alternations of galvanic
action and of neutrality will be produced by drawing the sliding piece
outwards until the silver neck comes within the end of and consequently in

page_text: contact with the zinc nozzle, and then pushing the slider in again until the
whalebone only is in contact with the zinc, the depth of intrusion in this caso
being also limited by the adjusting ferrule. Terminating balls of various
diameters may be usefully employed in cases of stricture within the passage,
and thus galvanic action may be combined with and aid the mechanical
operation.
Figure 15 shews an instrument in which great flexibility of the sliding piece
is obtained, for the purpose of insertion high up the intestines, by making it of
balls alternately large and small, strung upon a cord impregnated with caout-
chouc, so as to render it very elastic and impermeable to fluids; the larger
balls to be half silver and half zinc, and of a size to fill up but pass easily
through the tube or nozzle. The smaller balls, intended to increase the
flexibility of the instrument, may be of any hard material, and about one
third the diameter of the larger. The cord passing through a handle is tied
to a ring, by which the operator may tighten the cord, and produce the
requisite degree of firmness for insertion into the tortuous passage, and by
loosening the tension of the cord may allow the balls to remain in an uncon-
strained state, while they operate in producing continuous electric action.
a, the nozzle and flanch. b, the handle, which is perforated for the cord to
pass through; c, the electrizing balls; d, the intermediate balls; o, the cord
and ring.
Figure 16 represents a flexible slider for performing the same operation as
the last described. It consists of a silver wire and a zinc wire, each of about
one twentieth of an inch diameter, wrapped side by side around a cylinder of
three eighths of an inch diameter, forming, when drawn off from the cylinder,
a helical spring of alternate coils of silver and zine, the outside diameter of
which will be about half an inch. The length may be from six to twelvo
A hemis-
inches, or more, according to the intended depth of insertion.
pherical cap of silver is soldered on to the inserting end of the spring, and
a handle fixed on the other end. An instrument of the same kind as the
slider last described, made of suitable dimensions, is applicable to the
stomach, and the galvanic action may be limited to any required part of
the instrument, by covering the other part with a tube of caoutchouc,
or a combination of thread and caoutchouc; and on the same construction,
varying only in dimensions, may be made a catheter or bougio for insertion
into the bladder, to electrize the interior of that viscus. All the instru-
ments herein-before mentioned as applicable to the rectum are also suitable
for the vagina.
Fig. 17 shews an instrument of the same kind as Figure 16, but made

page_text: about the size of the Drawing, the helical spring being conical instead of
cylindrical, for the purpose of being inserted into the orifice of the ear. An
ivory button covered with silk or velvet is fixed on the base of the cone, to
assist in placing, in retaining, and in removing the instrument from the
orifice.
Figure 18, an car instrument, formed of alternate silver and zinc balls,
This cord is
strung upon an elastic cord impregnated with caoutchouc.
strained and fastened in the middle of a button similar to that described in
Figure 17.
Another description of an car instrument is formed of a nozzle and arm of
silver, and a nozzle and arm of zinc insulated from each other by a piece of
ivory or other imperfect conductor affixed to the end of the zinc arm, the ivory
having a mortice through which the silver arm slides to vary the extent of the
instrument according to the size of the head of the patient. The silver arm is
made very thin to give it sufficient elasticity that its end may, with a slight
degree of force, be brought into contact with the zinc arm, and that the silver
arm may, on the removal of the force, recover its position at a small distance
from the zinc arm, and thus by alternate pressure and release an intermittent
action is obtained, and by binding the two arms together a continued action will
take place.
Figure 19 represents this ear instrument. A, edge view; B, view of the
inner side; C, two views of the nozzles separate from the arms, in order to
shew the eyes or loops by which they are wedged to the arms; a, the silver
nozzle; b, the silver arm; c, the zinc nozzle; d, the zinc arm; e, the ivory
piece; f, loops or eyes in the nozzles passing through holes in the arms;
g, wedges driven into the loops to keep the nozzles firmly in the arms. It is
obvious that the nozzles might be soldered to the arms, but the wedging of
them in affords the facility of having several nozzles to one pair of arms. In
using this instrument one of the nozzles is placed in one ear and the other
nozzle in the other ear, while the arms are bent to such a curve as will be
conveniently around the head of the patient, and may be insulated from the
head by a covering of cloth.
An instrument for administering the galvanic influence into the cavity of the
navel, and fitted to be worn under the clothing, so as to produce a continued
action or a long succession of intermettent actions, is made of a nozzle and two
arms insulated from each other by a piece of ivory or other imperfect conductor.
Figure 20 represents one modification of the navel instrument of a conve-
nient size for general use. A, view looking against the end of the nozzle. This
side is distinguished by the term face, and the opposite side by the back of the

page_text: instrument. B, edge view; C, back view; D, section lengthwise through
the middle of the nozzle and of the arms; a, the nozzle formed of silver,
ivory, and zinc; b, the ivory, z, the zinc arm, being a prolongation from the
zine part of the nozzle, and bending around part of the ivory, and secured to it
by screws; 8, the silver arm, also a prolongation from the silver part of the
nozzle bending around part of the ivory and overlapping the zinc arm, but not
touching it until contact is effected by pressure on the outside of the silver arm,
which arm must be sufficiently clastic to recover its position at a small distance
from the zine when the pressure is removed; small holes in the ivory by
which straps may be sewn to tie the instrument around the body, f, screws to
secure the metallic parts of the instrument to the ivory part. When this
instrument is tied around the body with the nozzle placed in the cavity of the
navel, the patient can give himself any number of slight galvanic shocks by
reiterated pressures against the silver arm, and this may be done either in a
recumbent posture, or while sitting, standing, walking, or riding, by giving the
pressure through the medium of the waistcoat or other clothing, and he may
produce a continuous effect tying a bandage over the whole instrument to
keep the silver and zinc in contact with each other.
Figure 21 represents another modification of the navel instrument, in which
the silver arm is moved and the shocks given by the action of walking.
A, section lengthwise through the middle of the nozzle and the two arms;
B, view of the face of the instrument; a. the ivory block; , the zinc part of
the nozzle with the arm; s, the silver piece, the arm of which is made thin
and elastic; d, a hinge joint in the silver arm upon which the lower part
revolves, in order to allow of its being turned up against the back of the
instrument when the patient wishes to sit; c, a padding sewed on to the lower
end of the silver arm against which the thigh is to press in the action of
walking. When the lower part of the silver arm is turned up against the
back of the instrument the silver and zinc will remain in contact and produce
a continued galvanic effect; but when the arm is turned down the padding will
lie against the thigh, the forward motion of which in walking will press the
silver arm away from the zine, and the arm will return again by its elasticity
and lie against the zinc when tho backward motion of the thigh takes place,
and thus the intermittent effect will be produced.
Figure 22 shews a form of instrument for galvanizing both nostrils at the
same time. A, staple formed of a wire of silver and a wire of zinc, soldered
together at the curved part; B, a staple formed of a silver wire and a zinc
wire twisted together; C, a staple of two helical legs, unde in the manner of
the slider of Figure 16, and soldered to a curved wire. The legs of B may

page_text: also be made, the one leg of two or more silver wires twisted together, and the
other leg of two or more zinc wires twisted together, and the legs of C may, in
like manner, be made the one of silver and the other of zinc.
Figure 23 shews a mode of supporting a pessary, and at the same time
administering the galvanic electricity to the uterus in a case of prolapsus uteri.
A, edge view; B, side view; a, a spherical pessary of gold or silver; b, a
supporter of zinc, having a hollow in the upper end to fit and receive a
pessary; c, holes through the stem of the supporter; d, a pin to fit tightly into
cach of the holes c; e, a strap with a slit in it to receive the stem of the
supporter, upon which strap the pin d may rest and keep the pessary to the
requisite height, regulated by the pin being placed in a higher or a lower hole
of the stem. It is requisite to provide a non-galvanic supporter for the pessary
to supply the place of the zine one when the uterus is sufficiently electrized but
yet requires further support. Ivory or mother-of-pearl may answer the
purpose.
Figure 24 represents an instrument for producing either continuous or
alternate galvanic action in the stomach, as may be deemed most beneficial.
A, view; B, section of the handle end of the instrument; s, a helix of silver
wire terminated by a hemispherical cap of silver soldered to the extreme coil;
this helix extends nearly the whole length of the instrument, and at about fit
is soldered to a stem of silver, s', which may be tubular for the sake of avoiding
weight in the instrument, this stem terminating in a ring a for the handle; b, a
collar sliding freely on the stem s', but may be fixed by the thumb screw c; c', a
tube of caoutchouc drawn over the silver helix and over part of the stem; , a
helix of zinc covering the greater part of the tube c, c', extending to and
united by soldering with the Hanch d; e, f, a tube of caoutchouc or a braided
tissue of thread and caoutchouc covering the greater part of the zinc helix.
The part of this instrument from s to e of view A being introduced into the
stomach, an intermittent action is effected by alternately sliding the ferrule b
against the flanch d and withdrawing the same, and a continued action will be
kept up by fixing the ferrule on the stem in contact with the flanch.
An instrument to be worn on the head in the manner of a cap, with
the metal inwards, for the cure of rheumatism and other diseases of that
part, is formed of spangles or small discs of silver or plated copper and
zinc overlapping one another sewed on to the silk, linen, or other cloth.
Figure 25 represents a portion of such a cap, or a piece which may also be
usefully applied to any other part of the surface of the body, its dimensions
being proportioned to the parts on which it is to be used. s, silver; =, zinc ;

page_text: c, cloth. A greater number of small galvanic pairs may be formed by
weaving a tissue with the warp of silver or plated copper wire, and weft of
zine wire, or the weft of silver and the warp of zinc, a piece of which tissue
when pressed on the skin will create tension of the cuticle, and favor the
transmission of the galvanic influence to the nerves. A tissue formed by
platting zinc and silver wire together would produce similar effects, and a
still greater number of smaller galvanic pairs are obtained by cementing a
mixture of the filings of silver and the filings of zinc in about equal propor-
tions upon a piece of linen or other cloth; many cements or varnishes will
answer, but that which I prefer is made of one part borax and 5 parts
shell-lac dissolved by boiling in water to a sufficient consistence to be laid on
smoothly, and not to soak through the cloth. This cement or varnish is laid
with a brush quite hot upon the cloth, and the mixture of silver and zinc
filings immediately sifted on upon the surface of the varnish while in the stato
of adhesiveness, and before it becomes chilled. An electrifying plaster thus
made, on being bound tightly upon the skin, will press with an indefinite number
of fine points upon the cuticle and render it transmissive of the galvanic
influence to the nerves in a nearly insensible but yet beneficial degree. In
order to render the application of the galvanic influence more sensible the
cuticle may be punctured by an instrument in which a convenient number of
needle points or short pieces broken off from the pointed ends of fine sewing
needles, say, from a score to a hundred, are fixed into a steel spring,
which spring shall press the needle points through a thin plate of metal,
perforated with as many holes as there are needle points, through which
holes the respective needle points may freely pass, and protrude about the
one hundredth part of an inch beyond that surface of the plate which is
opposite to the surface against which the spring presses. Figure 26 shews
this puncturing instrument in four different views. A, view of the under
side of the instrument, or that side which is to be laid against the skin in
use; B, plan or view of the upper side; C, edge view of the instrument
in a state of preparation for making the punctures; D, edge view of the
same after having been discharged and having made the punctures. Tho
small letters following refer to all the four views. a, the plate of metal with a
number of holes perforated at one end and a handle at the other end; b, the
spring screwed down upon the plate at the one end, and having a projecting
knob at the other by which it may be lifted; c, the screw to secure the spring
to the plate; d, the projection by which the spring may be lifted; c, a bridge
screwed upon the plate a, to guide the spring laterally and prevent its being

page_text: lifted up so high as to injure its elasticity; f, the needle points put through
from the upper side of the spring into taper holes in which they fit tightly;
9, a plate screwed upon the upper side of the spring to keep the needle points
firmly in their holes; h, a spring bolt affixed to the bridge e, to catch under a
projection of the plate g and hold up the spring in preparation for making the
punctures; k, a small bridge screwed upon the larger bridge, to guide the
bolts; 7, a knob on the bolt by which it may be drawn back to set the main
spring bat liberty; m, a regulating screw in the middle of the plate g, to
pass through the spring and press on the plate a, in order to determine the
distance that the needle points shall protrude. In using this instrument
for puncturing the cuticle, the end of the spring containing the needles is to be
lifted up until it is caught and held up by the bolt; the under side of the main
plate is then pressed upon the spot of the cuticle to be punctured, and the
bolt drawn back by the knob, by which operation the main spring will be set
at liberty, and will suddenly and forcibly collapse and pass the needle points
through the cuticle, the regulating screw preventing a greater depth of
puncture than is desired.
And I do further declare that for the sake of avoiding repetitions, and
for the more clearly describing of the several instruments for administer-
ing galvanic influence herein-before shewn and explained, various dimen-
sions are stated; but it is obvious that those dimensions must be altered,
increased, or diminished according to the formations, ages, and consti-
tutions of the patients, and the magnitudes of the localities to which the
respective instruments are to be applied. The dimensions of the Drawings
will be generally suitable, taking Figures 1, 2, and 3, and Figures 9 to 25, as
drawn to about the full size, and Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 to about half the
size of the instruments. For similar reasons also silver, zinc, and copper only
have been mentioned, although other metals or metallic compounds, by which
the galvanic influence is excited, might sometimes be substituted; and when
ivory, whalebone, or mother-of-pearl is named, it should be understood that
any other imperfect conductor might be employed.
And I do lastly declare that I lay no claim to any of the modes of
exciting and applying galvanic influence or voltaic electricity which have
heretofore been employed, such as galvanic batteries or voltaic piles,
excited to powerful action by being immersed in wetted or moistened
with acidulated fluids, connected by wires, and such as pairs of plates
connected by wires, or a piece of silver and a piece of zinc held over and
under the tongue, or such as chains of alternate links of different metals,

page_text: or such as a mere string of beads of alternate metals worn around the
neck or other part of the body; but I restrict my claim to the invention of
the instruments herein-before shewn and described, brought into action by the
natural fluids of the body.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Isaac Hawkins, have hereunto.
set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-four.