An essay on the medical application of electricity and galvanism; with a concise descriptive account of disease

Preface

1 HE Science of Electricity has been successfully investigated by many very able Philosophers and Chemists, who have favoured us with scientific views of this wonderful Agent ; but, in a medical point of view, we have nothing extant that can be depended upon as pointing out its efficacy, although a Book was published last year, I presume with this intent ; but as it is taken up in enumerating A B and C D cases, which, from the prevalence of such practice, tends to bring it into disrepute, from the doubts that naturally arise where no reference can be made to those persons, I am induced to offer the following pages to the Public, with the sincere hope that it may meet with their approbation. I am the more encouraged to this, by the success that has attended my practice in the use of Elec-

VI PREFACE.

tricity. Those diseases, arising from a derangement of the functions of the digestive organs, commonly called Bilious, Nervous, &c. are relieved by a modification of this powerful Agent; and in habitual Constipation of the Bowels, Chronic Rheumatism, some species of Deafness, and habitual Asthma, its application is almost invariably successful. — Were this Agent beneficial in no other complaints than in those to which females are peculiarly subjected, it must be considered as extremely useful. I can state with confidence, that in my practice, by the aid of this active principle, I have succeeded in relieving those diseases where every other means had failed. This Agent is perfectly manageable, and may be applied without giving more pain than can be borne by an infant, since shocks are rendered unnecessary. That universal success should attend the application of this Agent in every disease, more than any other, would be ridiculous to assert; I am well aware at the same time that want of success very frequently arises from the

PREFACE. Vll

want of knowledge of the mode of applying it ; defective apparatus, or, what is equally probable, ignorance of the disease, which it was intended should be relieved. The beneficial effects of this active principle, that is itself an important part of our constitution, must be so obvious, that comments in this place appear unnecessary, further than to state that it meets with the approbation of professional characters of the greatest eminence in every country.

d^Hr' Electricity and Galvanism are administered at the Medicinal and Chemical Repository, No. 11, Old Compton Street.

Introduction

ELECTRICITY is that subtle, elementary fluid, whose agency appears to be universally employed in producing the phenomena of nature, of unlimited extent: its importance in the system of the universe is beyond the comprehension of man.

Amongst the different branches of natural philosophy, which claim particular interest, the study of electricity appears to hold a preeminence, whether we consider its astonishing powers of promoting vegetation*, and adding to the comforts of life, or its effects, as visible to us in hurricanes, tempests, earthquakes, &c. Some fishf possess the structure which enables them to collect that fluid which is the surprise and terror of most people, when viewed in the operations of nature during

* Seeds and plants, that are artificially electrified, arrive at maturity much sooner than those that are not subjected to its influence. Evergreens, which retain their verdure almost continually, do so, in consequence of the electric power they possess.

t The torpedo, and the electric eel, of Surinam. B a thunder storm, and even produce astonishment, when those phenomena are shown upon a small scale in the study ; to view cold metal, water, or even ice, as rendered capable of emitting sparks of fire, or farther to see a glass bottle, with a little preparation, capable, when touched, of producing a painful sensation, or even destroyinglife, and this attended with an explosion like thunder, and a flash like lightning.

The electric fluid is considered to be inherent or natural to all bodies either in a positive* or redundant state, or negative -f" or deficient state. The natural electrical states of inflammable substances X are positive, whilst those that support combustion or the acidifying principles § are negative ; this is inferred from the principle of similarly electrified bodies repelling, or dissimilarly electrified attracting, each other ; the former

* Positive electricity is the superabundaot accumulation of electric fluid on one body by depriving another of its natural quantity.

+ Negative electricity is the state one body is said to be in, in opposition to the positive, being deprived of its natural quantity.

J Inflammable substances are hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, carbon, and boran ; they are also known as the simple acidifiable substances.

§ The supporters of combustion are oxygen, chlorine, and iodine ; they are also called the acidifying principles.

(inflammable substances) are attracted by the negative pole, and the latter (supporters of combustion) are attracted by the positive pole, when their compounds are submitted to the electrochemical decomposition.

When bodies are stated to be electrically excited, there is a disturbance of the natural quantity of one body by the attraction of the other, which may be effected by rubbing one against the other ; thus, when a piece of glass is rubbed with silk, or sealing-wax with flannel, they acquire a positive or negative state of electricity. When the glass is rubbed against the silk, the equilibrium is disturbed, a portion of the natural quantity of the electric fluid is taken from it by the glass, which is then said to be positively electrified. When the sealing-wax is rubbed against flannel, a portion of its electric fluid is taken from it by the latter (flannel), which is, consequently, positively electrified ; the sealing-wax and the silk (in the former instance) are in a negative state of electricity, being deprived of their natural quantity. Present a pith ball, suspended by silk (which is a non-conductor) to a positive electrified body, and then convey it to another that is also positive, it will be repelled ; but if it is conveyed to a negative electrified body, it will be attracted ; it thus shows that two bodies, similarly electrified, repel each other, and

b 2 dissimilarly electrified, attract each other : or, as it is called, the opposite states (negative and positive), annihilate, or neutralize each other, the equilibrium being restored. By an electrometer * you are apprized of the presence of elec-

* An Electrometer, as constructed for ascertaining the presence of electricity. — Two strips of gold leaf are suspended from one end of a wire five inches long ; this wire is passed through a glass tube four inches long, and fixed in its centre by a plug of silk, to keep it concentric within the tube ; the other end is fastened to a brass cap, that covers the superior part of the tube, the greater part of the latter being contained within a glass cylinder, to keep it with its contents dry and free from dust: — bringing a body in a state of positive electricity to the brass cap, the fluid communicates through the wire with the gold leaves, which diverge, presenting a negative body in the same manner, and they will collapse.

Another, called the Quadrant Electrometer, for ascertaining the relative charge of a jar or battery. — A semicircular piece of ivory (the lower half being divided into 90") in the centre of the ivory is fixed a pin, from which an index of cane, four or five inches long, with a pith ball at its extremity is suspended ; the ivory is fixed to a round stem of wood, with a metal socket six or seven inches long, the lower extremity of which may be fixed to the prime conductor. The index, before the charge is formed, hangs down by the stem, and as the electricity accumulates, it is propelled from it, traversing the semicircle to a certain distance, in proportion to the strength of the charge.

Another, called the Regulating or Medical Electrometer, used to regulate the strength of the application of electricity : by presenting an excited piece of glass or sealing-wax to this instrument, you ascertain whether they are positively or negatively electrified. Those bodies which suffer the electric fluid to pass through their substance are called conductors*, and those that receive it on the spot touched, non-conductors - ] - ; the former when rubbed do not, in general, become electric, and are therefore called non- electrics, the latter (non-conductors), when rubbed acquire electricity, are called electrics, or insulators; there are many imperfect conductors^. These are circumstances that are to be borne in mind in making a machine§, as well as to keep it in order, for tricity. — A solid piece of glass, mounted at one end with brass, to fix or suspend it to the conductor, the other end being also mounted with brass, in which there is a hole to admit a metallic wire to slide through, so as to bring that end of the wire, mounted with a brass ball, to such distance, in proportion to the strength required, from the prime conductor; the other end of this wire is mounted with a wooden ball, to prevent the escape of the fluid.

* All metals are conductors.

+ Glass, sulphur, and resins, are non-conductors.

J Water, damp, spirit of wine, and some oils, &c. are imperfect conductors.

§ The best machine is a glass cylinder (capped at each end) about 12 inches in diameter, and 20 inches in length, turning between two upright pillars of glass, 30 inches in height, which renders it perfectly insulated; these pillars ar»

the purpose of accumulating the electric fluid, which is conveyed by a metallic wire from the fixed in a solid slab of mahogany, that has a notch for the block to move in it. Their upper extremities are received in brass ferules that, at their upper end, receive two pieces of mahogany, about four inches in height, in which the axles of the cylinder revolve, the one axle passing through, to which is attached the small grooved wheel, six inches in diameter. From the slab projects another axle, for the multiplying wheel, 18 inches in diameter; the grooves are not placed parallel in both wheels, the blanches of the axis of the lower wheel being made slanting, to prevent the »ilk string from rubbing (silk being a non-conductor should always be used). The cushion, or rubber, 13 inches long, placed behind and between the cylinder, and two strips of steel, about five inches in height, which support it; these strips of steel are fixed about two inches from each end of a wooden bar, 13 inches long, their upper extremities receiving two screws, in notches, which support and attach the rubber quite firm. The bar has a stem that is received in a brass ferule, the lower end of which receives the upper end of a glass pillar ; the lower end of the latter is fixed in the movable block ; the intention of it3 being movable, is to bring the cushion nearer the cylinder ; this is effected by two upright brass pins, the one fixed in the slab, the other in the block, with a parallel hole through each, that receives a screw, by means of which the block is moved in or out, so as to bring the rubber in contact with the cylinder, or remove it to a distance from it, for the purpose of cleaning the cylinder and amalgamizing the rubber. The cushion, or rubber, is a bar of wood, 1 3 inches long, the surface next the cylinder being covered with leather stuffed with wool; this cushion is covered with silk, which extends as a flap ground to the negative conductor (or cushion), from which it is accumulated on the cylinder by the friction of the latter against the amalgamized rubber*, and then given off to the positive over the cylinder to within one inch of the points of the conductor; over that part of the silk covering the cushion, and between it and the cylinder, is placed a leather, upon which the amalgam is spread: the motion of the cylinder is in the direction of the silk flap.

The prime or positive conductor is made of copper, brass, or tin, the same length as the cylinder, and one-third its diameter: at its extremities it has holes, the one next the cylinder to receive a stem that is attached to a small round piece of brass, with points presented to receive the electric fluid when accumulated on the cylinder by the friction of the latter against the rubber: at each end of the brass with points, are wooden balls, one inch in diameter, to prevent the escape of the fluid: the hole at the other extremity of the conductor, receives a stem of brass, five inches long, having a ball at its extremity three or four inches in diameter; this conductor is supported on a glass pillar that is fixed to a circular slab of mahogany. Another conductor, on the same construction, with the exception of there being no points, but a stem and ball, may be placed behind and attached to the cushion, which will be negatively, as the former will be positively, electrified. The conductors and the machine to be placed on a firm table.

* Amalgam is made by melting one part (by weight) of zinc, and pour into a thick wooden box, that fastens with a •crew, and add instantaneously five parts of mercury ; enclose the box in a flannel, and agitate till cold. Unscrew the rubber conductor, being received through the points (a point being the best conductor) : the quantity and intensity of the electric fluid accumulated, depends upon the size of the machine and its being in a proper state of excitation, the cylinder and the conductors being also well insulated. One insulated metal (zinc) brought in contact with another (silver), will be positively and the other negatively electrified. If the nerve of an animal be attached to the former metal, and muscular fibre to the latter, and the two extremities of the metals be brought in contact, convulsions are produced, precisely the same, but in from its support, remove the old and oxidized amalgam with the edge of a knife, rub the thinnest surface of tallow on the rubber, and then spread, even, a thiu coat of amalgam, which is to be applied only on that part of the cushion that comes immediately in contact with the cylinder; none ought to be applied above the place of contact, as it reconveys the fluid to the reservoir from whence it was extracted; before the rubber is returned to its place, the cylinder must be cleaned, removing every particle of the oxide of mercury that has accumulated on its surface, replacing the cushion. If the machine will not act well, put the thinnest surface that can possibly be placed of tallow on the cylinder, with a woollen cloth, and wipe it off pretty clean; then put a leather, with a little amalgam on it, in contact with the revolving cylinder, which will fill the smaller pores of the glass: every overplus for that purpose, will be caught by the rubber.

a less degree, as would be produced by the discharge of a Leyden jar*, or an electric

* Leyden jar, or medical bottle. — The usual size, for medical purposes, contains about a pint, coated internally and externally with tin foil, being a good conductor, to within two inches of its mouth; the latter is stopped up with a wooden cock and cemented, through the centre of which is an aperture for a glass tube, about one inch in diameter and six or seven inches in length. One extremity is put into the bottle to the depth of three and a half or four inches: the internal surface of this tube is also coated from within half an inch of its lower extremity to the distance of about half an inch above the aperture in the cock, and the external also is coated to the same distance; a piece of wire connects it with the inner surface of the jar : the upper extremity of this tube has a brass cap with a ring to suspend the bottle to the prime conductor: in the cap are two holes, one to admit a metallic wire, which extends to the bottom of the bottle, to communicate with its coating, and the other to admit a shorter wire, merely to be brought in contact with the coating of the tube. A brass hook, to suspend a wire, is cemented to the bottom of the bottle : the bottle being suspended to the prime or positive conductor, is charged from it, the wires conveying the fluid to the internal surface: but this cannot be effected, unless a communication is made from the external surface with the ground or with th« negative conductor, as no addition of this fluid can be made to one surface but as the opposite is deprived of its natural quantity. When the jar is charged, the internal surface positively, the external negatively, touching the brass cap or prima conductor with one hand, the outer coating of the jar with the other, a shock will be received, the electric fluid passing from the internal to the external surface, to restore the equilibrium; but if the charge is complete, the shock will be too great.

spark*. — From the extreme ends of a Voltaic, or, as it is commonly called, Galvanictroughf, wehave

Discharger. — A discharger is used, which is an instrument, with metal legs, movable like a pair of compasses, with balls at their extremities, mounted on a glass handle : one ball is brought in contact with the external surface of the bottle, and the other with the cap or conductor : the circle being formed, the discharge is made, the equilibrium being restored.

Vibratory motion. — Removing the long wire out of the bottle, the internal surface of the tube is then only charged, the discharge of which constitutes that sensation which is called the vibratory motion : if the machine is well excited, this discharge will be in a continued stream of very considerable intensity, which renders it of so much utility as a medical application.

* Electric spark. — Electric spark ; a body positively electrified, discharging itself of its superabundance to a negative body, presented to it, a spark is perceptible passing between them.

+ Voltaic treugh. — A wooden or earthenware trough being divided into partitions or cells which contain the fluid, nitric acid one part, sulphuric acid one part, water 60 parts, is generally used, where great intensity is required for chemical purposes ; but for medical purposes 240 parts of water may be used; two dissimilar metals (zinc and copper) are placed alternately, beginning at one extremity with one, and ending at the opposite extremity with the other metal. Those plates are attached to bars of wood, by means of which several of the series of plates may be placed in or taken out of the fluid at once. Wires from each extremity of the trough are in the opposite states of electricity; the one positive, from the zinc end, the other negative, from the copper end : those wires introelectricity in its opposite states, the intensity of which depends upon the increased alternations of dissimilar metals, which may be increased so as to render the heat so intense in passing between the poles of the conductors as to fuse what ordinary heat will not affect under any circumstances : in the same manner, but in a greater degree, as if the electric fluid was conveyed to restore the equilibrium when collected by the machine and condensed in a battery*. The shock from either is dangerous. As we have intensity f of electricity, by .increasing the number of alternations of the plates, so we have an increase of quantity J by an extension of the surface of the plates, and an increase of both by improving the duced into water decompose it, the oxygen being liberated at the positive, and the hydrogen at the negative pole; the inflammable element is also liberated at the negative pole, when the other substance is decomposed.

* Electrical battery, — An electrical battery are three or more Leyden jars, the internal surface of the one communicating with the internal surface of another, and the external surfaces communicating with each other in the same manner, so that by touching the jar with the conductor, the whole battery will be charged.

+ Intensity. — Intensity signifies the power an electrie charge has of passing through an ill-conducting medium.

t Quantity. — Quantity signifies the absolute quantity of electric fluid in any body.

oxydizing power of the fluid, by adding an acid to it. The same may be said of the coated surfaces of the jars : one containing a quart, charged by a certain number of revolutions of the cylinder, will contain quantity; but a pint jar charged by the same number of revolutions, will contain intensity. There is nc difference in the effect of a battery charged with intensity or quantity upon bad conductors, such as water, the human body, &c, but upon good conductors quantity acts more powerfully. Whenever bodies change their forms, their electrical states are also changed. Water may be decomposed by inserting the negative and positive poles of the conductors from a Voltaic trough ; the oxygen escaping at the positive and the hydrogen at the negative pole.

Electrical and chemical phenomena, Sir Humphry Davy thinks, although in themselves quite distinct, may be dependent upon one and the same power, acting in the electrical upon masses, and in chemical upon particles of matter. When we perceive how universally active this agent is in nature, we naturally infer it is equally active in the animal economy, and it may be rendered the more evident when the inferences are taken into consideration that arise from experiments, which prove that every function but one (respiration, which requires the influence of the sensorial power) of the nervous system can be performed by electricity. As a science it is very entertaining ; a great variety of beautiful and interesting experiments may be performed with it : as a medical application there is not yet discovered in nature any which possesses so much power and may be used with so much general advantage in all complaints to which man is subjected, not excepting those which partake of acute inflammation*, modified as circumstances indicate; none that can be applied with so little inconvenience or pain, since the practice of applying shocks is abandoned as unnecessary. It has been applied in complaints where all other means had been resorted to without success, even to the preventing the operation of amputation and other operations of excision, which had been suggested as the last and only means of saving life, by men who are, notwithstanding, justly called eminent in their profession, but who had no knowledge of electricity as possessing such medical efficacy.

Medicines have been administered in conjunction with this application with immediate effect,

* Inflammation arises from an obstruction, in the capillaries, to the circulation, which may be removed by taking the electric aura from the surface, or by simple electrization, thus restoring the functions of the capillaries, the inflammation subsides.

that before had none. The application of electricity in aid of medicine has been by professional men generally neglected, which can only be accounted for by the want of the knowledge of its powers, the consequence of its not being publicly taught as applicable to disease, but merely as a science to excite the wonder of the bystanders by the great variety and beauty of the experiments. In chemical research voltaic electricity has been one of the most useful auxiliaries. It may be inferred that the medical application of electricity is an operation that may frequently be required, where that discrimination should be made, as to the mode or intensity of application, which can only be made by a person of professional education : as this has been, as just stated, neglected by the profession, it has consequently been practised by persons who have no pretensions to professional knowledge, and who have treated all cases indiscriminately alike, and that most generally by shocks (their apparatus frequently not admitting of any other application), which has tended to bring this useful agent into disrepute. Since the decease of Mr. Birch, late surgeon extraordinary to his present Majesty, I am not aware of any person practising in this branch in the metropolis whose education would be considered as rendering him adequate to be admitted to practise the different

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branches of the profession, except a gentleman of the name of Partington, though there appear to be a great many advertising.

Voltaic electricity has been proved by experiments capable of performing every function of the nervous system, every function essential to life, except respiration, as before stated, upon which system or influence the formation of all the secretions depends: the nervous influence not only prepares, but preserves for their proper uses, the secreted fluids, regulating the absorption as well as the secretion. Aware of these circumstances, must not electricity be considered an agent peculiarly applicable to defective energy? an agent that can perform every function of the nervous •ystem ; that system upon which every function of the animal economy depends. When these functions are disturbed, the nervous system must be disturbed also, or rendered defective. What can offer as more likely to restore energy than the application of that agent that is of itself capable of performing those functions, if properly modified?

It has been proved by experiments, first performed by Dr. Wilson Philip, that on dividing the eighth pair of nerves in an animal (firstcausing the animal to fast for ten or twelve hours, and then permitting it to eat a moderate meal) digestion ceases: but upon applying a stream of voltaic electricity, of a certain degree of intensity, the digestive process will be performed as perfectly as in another animal that undergoes no operation, but merely causing it to fast for the same length of time as theformer,and then permitting it to feed off the same quantity and quality of food. Cases offer daily, where defective secretions and nervous energy exist, where the bowels are constipated, a train of symptoms ensuing, indicating the reaction of this disturbance upon the nervous system. The primary affection may be occasioned by taking more into the stomach than can be digested, or disturbing the process of digestion, by taking fluids unnecessarily, or vinous or spirituous liquors at improper times, or to an excess; another cause of this disturbance may be eating too hastily, not sufficiently masticating and assimilating the food with the saliva; thus the functions of the digestive organs are deranged, the sanguiferous system is overcharged and hurried, the nervous system becomes irritable, reacts upon the disorder, defective secretions and torpor ensue. Thefunctions of thestomach are so essential that upon them all other functions of the animal body may be said to depend: its diseases are frequent and varied, and it partakes of the diseases of other parts, or of the whole system. Cases have come under my care, where every means have been resorted to, by the most eminent professional characters, to produce regular secretions by calomel, mercurial pill, commonly called blue pill, and different purgatives, none of which succeeded until the application of electricity was had recourse to. A remarkable case, of three years standing, in a young gentleman, where none of the preceding modes of treatment would relieve, and latterly could not bear the operation of a purgative, as it produced such violent constitutional derangement, he was consequently advised to have recourse to enemas, to evacuate his bowels daily ; but who, I am now happy to state, has, by the application of electricity, been restored to good health, his bowels evacuating naturally every day.

How frequently the knife is had recourse to when it would be rendered perfectly unnecessary, were the means adopted for restoring the general health ; and many of those operations do not succeed, for want of that attention which this agent would contribute so much towards the reestablishing. With what astonishment must a person conversant with the application of electricity, view the preparation for the removal of diseased parts by excision, that if submitted to the action of this simple elementary fluid, which will pervade the hardest substances, and give energy and health to suffering thousands, if judiciously applied, and save the already too great sufferer from the additional pain of undergoing an unnecessary operation. Mr. Birch, late surgeon extraordinary to the King, enumerates cases of cures performed by him, that were submitted after all other means had been tried under professional gentlemen of the first eminence in the kingdom without effect ; gentlemen who were themselves at first sceptical and prejudiced against the practice, till rendered evident to their senses, by the perfect cures performed in the following complaints, and also in those peculiar to females, without an exception. Obstinate remittent fevers, where the bark and other means had failed ; contusions ; spasms; numbness and coldness of the limbs ; paralysis ; ulceration, assuming a cancerous appearance; scrofulous tumours; painful and other eruptions on the face. Even in the last stage of fever, when the powers of life seemed perfectly exhausted, this agent produced apparent reanimation. Hydrocephalus internus, or dropsy of the brain, where mercurial and all other medicines had failed. Violent pains in the head; sprains; enlargement of the knee-joints from chronic inflammation, as well as white swellings, where it had been determined upon by the most eminent surgeons to amputate. Enlarged and scirrhous testes, where the operation of castration had also been determined upon, and were ao tually attended for that purpose: even pain and inflammation, that threatened suppuration in the testes, cured. Melancholy madness, where during their sufferings they had premeditated self-destruction, and in one instance had actually made the attempt, and there was apparently a suspension of life. Obstructions to the flow of urine, from defective secretion in the kidneys, as well as retention of urine, from paralysis of the bladder; also cases where the urine passed away involuntarily. Defective secretion in the testes, where there was perfect indifference for softer pleasures, amounting even to a loss of tone, which had resisted the power of every medicine upwards of twelve months.