An Improved Method of Administering Galvanic Currents for Curative Purposes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1888
Complete Left, 24th May, 1888
Complete Accepted, 6th July, 1888
An Improved Method of Administering Galvanic Currents for
Curative Purposes.
1, AUGUSTUS COLlingridge, of No. 87 New Oxford Street in the County of
Middlesex, Operative Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
The invention has for its object to facilitate the external application of galvanism
or galvanic fluid, so called, which is generally admitted to be superior for curativo
purposes to the so called electric fluid, by reason of its greater concentration and
intensity, as well as the more enduring power exhibited in its ultimate effects.
The medical application of galvanism to living subjects is being more and more
practised in the treatment of severe chronic diseases such as Asthma, and my improved
method is to employ a sponge containing galvanic elements as hereafter described,
moistened in solutions serving the double purpose of excitants and conductors.
In order to produce the required result I take an ordinary sponge, choosing the cup
form by preference, and attach or insert a Voltaic pile composed of thin discs of
dissimilar metals or of other substances tending to produce the same effect in such a
manner as not to impede the manipulation of the sponge.
In a glased vessel I pour a solution of some suitable salt or other substance, using
by preference the medicated bath salt described in the British Patent granted to mo
in the year 1885, and numbered 5700 of that year.
The strength of this solution will depend upon circumstances, and it will form the
excitant and conductor before referred to.
It can be used warm or cold as may be prescribed or preferred, and on the sponge
being soaked therein galvanic action will be promptly set up and a supply of power
obtained.
In order to prevent the current being weakened or diverted by contact with the
hand of the operator, I require the sponge to be held in a glove composed of gutta-
percha cloth or tissue, or some other effective insulating material.

page_text: When the sponge is squeezed under the foregoing conditions, the water exudation
serves as a conductor of the galvanic fluid to the body.
In cases where the pile known as the Melloni thermopile is employed in conjunction
with the sponge, 1 so construct the pile in regard to form and dimensions as to
be easily held in the hollow of the operator's hand, instead of being embedded in the
sponge, which in such case is connected with the pile by short lengths of insulated
wire. The warmth of the hand is usually sufficient to generate galvanic action if the
sponge be used in a moist condition as before described.
Dated this 23rd day of March 1888.

page_text: An Improved Method of Administering Galvanic Currents for
Curative Purposes.
I, AUGUSTUS COLLINGRIDGE of 87, New Oxford Street London Operative Chemist,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention has for its object to facilitate the external application of Galvanism
or Galvanic fluid so called, which is generally admitted to be superior for curative
purposes to the so called electric fluid, by reason of its greater concentration and
intensity, in well directed remedial applications, as well as the more enduring power
exhibited in its ultimate effects.
My improved method of applying Galvanism to living subjects is to employ
a sponge or pad of absorbent material, inside or, upon which I place Galvanic
elements as hereafter described, and I moisten the sponge or pad in a solution either
saline or acidulated, such solution serving sometimes the purpose of an excitant only,
and sometimes that of a conductor also as hereafter explained.
In order to produce the required result by means of an ordinary sponge, I attach
or insert a Voltaic pile, composed of thin discs of dissimilar motals, or of other
substances tending to produce the same effect, in such a manner as not to impede the
manipulation of the sponge. The voltaic pile or battery may be composed, for
example, of one plate of platinised silver and one of amalgamated zinc. These plates
would be connected to insulated conducting wires in the usual way, and these wires
might for convenience of application, terminate in metal balls on the exterior of the
sponge or pad, away from the hand of the person using it. In this way the galvanic
current would be effectively applied to any part of the body desired as the contact of
the terminal metal balls with the hand would complete the circuit and thereby impart
the galvanic current to the surface of the body. I therefore prefer this arrangement
as the best for general use and for persons able to sponge themselves.
But in other cases, and especially for persons who cannot sponge themselves,
I employ the Voltaic pile or battery without the conducting wires to the exterior of
the sponge or pad. In this case I require the sponge or pad to be held in a glove
composed of some effective insulating material, such as guttapercha cloth or tissue.
I can also employ if preferred the pile known as the "Melloni thermopile" in
conjunction with a sponge or pad, but in that case I construct the pile as regards form
and dimensions, so as to be easily held in the hollow of the operator's hand, instead of
being imbedded in the sponge or pad, which is connected to the pile by short lengths
of wire or chain, which are insulated where exposed to be touched by the operator, but
are not insulated where imbedded in the sponge or pad. The warmth of the hand
would be usually sufficient to generate galvanic action when the sponge or pad is
moistened as hereafter described, but if not sufficient, warm water could be employed.

page_text: Having completed my sponge or pad in one of the modes just described, I prepare-
in a glazed vessel a saline or acidulated solution, using by preference the medicated
bath salt described in my application for a British Patent, dated 14th April 1888;
and numbered 5937.
The strength of this solution will depend upon circumstances and when the metal-
balls are used in the sponge, it will form the excitant only, and if metal balls are not
employed it will be the excitant and conductor also.
The solution can be used warm or cold as may be prescribed or preferred, and on
the sponge being soaked therein, galvanic action will be promptly set up and a supply
of galvanic current obtained.
My invention will I believe extend and facilitate the application of Galvanism
both as a preventive and curative of various chronic diseases, to the great benefit
of many persons liable to, or threatened with rheumatism, bronchial derangement,
debility, nervous disorders and other chronic or recurring complaints.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is;
The application of galvanic currents to the body for preventive or curative purposes
by means of a combined battery pile or thermopile and a sponge or pad moistened_in
a saline or acid solution serving as excitant, or as excitant and conductor, as herein
described and explained.