Van Deusen/Kosinski Collection


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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FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Title page
2 Preface
13 Animal and Vegetable Electricity
15 Chapter 1 - Electric fire promotes the vegetable life, etc.
70 Chapter 2 - Of the Conductors
   97 Chapter 3 - Fever  [Medical Conditions]
108 Peripneumony 171 Cholic 210 Involuntary motion
      of the eyelids
111 Pleurisy 174 Asthma 210 Hemmorage
114 St. Anthony's Fire 176 Diabetes 217 Hemorroids
115 Inflammatory Rheumatism 178 Urine suppressed,
  bloody and hot
217 Ulcers and Abcesses
115 Inflammatory Sore Throat 182 Menses obstructed 220 Rickets
122 Madness 185 King's Evil 221 Locked Jaw or Joints
131 Ague 186 Cancers 224 Bruises
138 St. Vitus's Dance 194 Quincy 229 Nerves contracted
140 Hysterics 195 Head-ache 230 Sprain or Strain
144 Epilepsy 196 Deafness 231 Felon or Whitlow
149 Consumption 197 Inflammatory Eyes 231 Pains in different parts
153 Palsy 197 Film 232 Wounds, etc.
158 Dropsy 199 Gutta Serena 234 Drowning
164 Gout 207 Cataract 237 Suppressed Perspiration
166 Dysentery 209 Fistula Lachrymalis 237 Burns and Scalds
242 Chapter 4  [Equipment]
277 Thoughts on the Times
INDEX
Electricity, or Ethereal Fire, Considered is presented here for historical purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice.





        
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