operations; and the shock will accelerate its operation. These precautions being had, proceed in the
first instance to take off the tension in the lower extremities in the first place, by passing shocks
from about the hips to the feet obliquely, that is, from the right hip to the left foot, keeping
the legs apart. If it be a strong constitution, and not a woman pregnant, the
shocks may be passed in this direction very strongly, or so strong that the patient may perceive the motion of the shock
nearly the whole distance, that is, from one chain or wire to the other, or from the hips to the feet;
six or eight shocks being passed in that direction, shift the chains contrariwise, and pass as many down the
opposite side.
This operation is performed with all safety, and will soon abate the action in the whole system; by
enlarging the diameters of the vessels in the lower extremities, and opening the pores, the blood will incline
towards this relieved part, and ease the head of pain, and in a little time will recover from delirium.
It is very expedient to conjoin with this operation woolen or flannel clothes, dipped in hot water,
and wrapped about the feet. It helps greatly to promote perspiration; and when the shock is applied to the whole
body, it is useful to dip a fire-brand in water, and, with flannel wrapped round it, apply it to the
patient's back or sides. The patient must also drink freely of some hot, fermenting herb tea, till a free
perspiration is induced. Wait, if you have leisure, fifteen or twenty minutes after the first operation;
then proceed to pass eight or ten shocks from the right hand to the left, so strongly that the patient may
perceive the motion of the shock in the shoulders or above the elbows, or perhaps in the breast, if there
should be no particular weakness there, which is sometimes the case, and might receive injury by too strong a shock
on the part. Indeed, whenever you take a new direction of the shocks, the first should, in all cases, be light;
and as you increase their strength, you must do it by consulting your patient's sensation of the shock;
and take care not to wound any particular part by an over-action of the shock, nor reduce your patient too fast,
nor too low. Also, trembling and faintness sometimes occur, especially on the first electrifications: all which
occurrences and circumstances must be looked for and observed, and remedied - sometimes by desisting the shock
for a time - sometimes by an internal stimulus, &c. &c.
After eight or ten are passed in the above direction, let twelve or fifteen be passed from the sides
of the neck to the bottom of the feet, of about the same strength as the former; of which you will be
able to judge by your electrometer, which I have described, (vide chap. 1, page 27-28) where it is said
that the distention of the balls is in proportion to the degree of the charge, &c. It is necessary that
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