varied very much in gaining betterment.
From all which circumstances, I have made the calculations respecting the time that probably will be occupied in the various cases of palsy.
This I thought expedient to be noticed, lest people should too easily despair of a cure.
It may be observed, that the recovery of voluntary motion, will be perceived first in the part where the nerves spring, or take their rise, and will gradually proceed
to the extremities of the same nerves; this will lead the operator to understand, that the shocks must be passed
from the origin of the nerves, in any particular part, ot their termination.
The method of electrifying for the palsy, which I have found to be the best, after trying all methods, is to give, on the paralytic part,
about thirty or forty light shocks daily, but about every hundredth with an encreased force, so as to be perceptibly felt by the patient throughout a paralytic limb, &c.
There is another method of using electricity in this case, which, for want of opportunity since I conceived of it, I have never experienced in this case.
It is well known that blistering has often proved useful in a palsy; and this being effected merely by irritation, it is more than probably that the irritation of drawing the electric spark
would also prove beneficial:
furthermore, if the irritation of blistering is sometimes, and perhaps always, more or less beneficial, how much jmore beneficial may the extraction of the electric spark prove?
especially, when we consider that the extraction of the spark may be repeated, and in such numbers, continually, on every part of a paralytic limb, &c.
as to excite ten times the degree of irritation that can be effected by blistering; the extraction of the spark will also be attended with less suffering, or rather no suffering
to the patient.
I cannot but feel a regret, that this idea had never struck my mind, until it is too late to give demonstrative examples of its use
in this treatise.
But it is so self-evidently calculated to be beneficial in a palsy, that I think the judicious electrician will want no further arguments to induce him to put in execution
a thorough experiment.
In order to determine its effect accurately, it will be necessary to try the operation for a month, at least, without conjoining any other means.
The manner of operating will be, to cover the paralytic part with one or two thicknesses of flannel, and draw the spark through them; but must not draw too many
exactly in one place, otherwise it will inflame and blister the part.
By drawing great numbers of strong sparks from a wen, you may inflame and suppurate it, and any other swelling of the kind: wherefore there must be a continual
varying of the place whence the spark is extracted, unless it is intended to promote inflammation and suppuration.
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