Theory and practice of electrical therapeutics; or, Electricity as a curative agent

Front matter

Rh8( 8TIS

"J give theft Books j for the founding of a Colligt in this Colony"

THEORY AKD PBACTICE

Preface

Object of the work — Period of practice — Tn .uni'-nts given —

Number of cases amd diseases represented in the work —

Eiirschfeld and Leveiile's work on the muscular and nervous

system is-xi

( HAPTER I.

The human system considered as an electrical machine — Congestion — Nervous Debility 1-5

CHAPTER II. Genera] Treatments 6— la

CHAPTER 111.

Amaurosis— Apoplexj -Asthma— Inflammation of the Bladdei — Inflammation <>i the Bowels— Bronchitis 13-23

CHAPTER [V.

(II \PTER V.

Imperfect Circulation — Constipation—* I ramps — Deafne: Depression >ii Spii its — Diarrhoea — Diphtheria — Dropsy 33-43

CHAPTER VI.

Dyspepsia — Falling of the Palate — Fever and Ague — Felons and Boils — Headache — Incontinence ol Urine 44~53

CHAPTER VII. jaundice— Affection of the Kidneys— Leucorrhoea — Liver Complaint — Loss of Voice — Lumbago — Suppression of the Menses — Minister's Sore Throat 54-02

VI CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VIII.

Nervous Debility — Neuralgic Fever — Effects of Opium — Palpitation of the Heart 63-76

CHAPTER IX.

Paralysis— Piles 77-88

CHAPTER X.

Pleurisy — Quinsy — Inflammatory Rheumatism — Rheumatic Gout 89-101

CHAPTER XI.

Sciatica — Sea Sickness — Spinal Weakness — Sprains and Wounds *. 102-112

CHAPTER XII.

St. Vitus' Dance — Sunstroke — Tetanus or Lock-jaw — Typhoid Fever — Inflammation of the Urethra — Contraction of the Uterus after confinement — Genital Organs of the Female — Prolapsus Uteri — Anteversion — Retroversion 1 13-125

CHAPTER XIII.

Uterine or Womb Diseases 126-138

CHAPTER XIV.

Womb Diseases continued — Wry Neck 139-158

CHAPTER XV.

The Perfected Electro Medical Generator, with directions for using and keeping it in order — Electrical Currents.. 159-167

CHAPTER XVI.

Electrodes — The Hand as an Electrode — Abdominal Supporter — Compensator — Syringe — Inhalant Flask 168-175

CHAPTER XVII.

Description of Operating Rooms — Electricity and Drug Medicine contrasted — Hygiene — Electrical Machines — The Franklin Electrical Institute 176-185

PREFACE

The object of this book is to contribute to the Pro- Cession ami the Public the practical experience oi over eight, years in the use of Electricity as a curative agent, during which time over fourteen thousand Jive hundred electrical treatments were given.

My attention was lirsl called to this subject from having become a nervous paralytic, and finding no remedy but this which afforded relief. I have ever since that time been thankful to God for my emancipation from that miserable condition, ami being convinced that Electricity is destined to play an important part in the healing of disease, I have felt impelled to extend my investigations of the subject, in the hope that the human family might be benefited thereby. With this object in view, I have endeavored, in this work, to use the simplest language, in order that all may understand it. I have given a statement of about one hundred and seventy-five representative cases from my Diagnosis Book, classified under nearly fifty different diseases. The statement of each case is given in

X PREFACE.

the patient's own words. I feel that this will greatly enhance the value of the book to those who are unacquainted with the significance of medical terms, from the fact that if they find their feelings to accord with those of any case described, they can form a better estimate of the nature of their own troubles than would be possible for them to do were the descriptions laden with all the perplexities of medical phraseology. The manner of treating each case and the results produced thereby, are described as minutely as possible.

Some three years ago I visited Europe in search of some reliable electrical apparatus, as well as to make the acquaintance of those from whom I hoped to gain information on the subject. I returned with several kinds of instruments, which, though failing to meet my wants, yet served to pave the way for the ultimate perfection of an apparatus which has been in use for the past two years, and for which I have received letters patent. Most of the cases recorded in the work were treated with it during the time I was engaged in perfecting it. Since then the results produced by it have folly realized my most sanguine expectations.

A full description of the instrument will be found in the latter part of the book. Ladies will be specially interested in the description of the uterine electrode and abdominal supporter, with which I have had great success in treating uterine and genital affections.

FKEFACK xi

The use of metallic electrodes we long since discarded. Those which have been substituted will be minutely described, and valid reasons for their use given in their appropriate place.

1 desire to acknowledge my indebtedness to the work of Messrs, Eirschfeld and Leveille, of Paris, on the Muscular and Nervous System, which is not only the most elegantly illustrated but at the same time the most complete work upon that subject ever published.

An examination of this work lirst suggested to OUT mind the theory we have indicated in the present work, which subsequent practical experience has greatly strengthened.

To Prof William Darling, of the New York University Medical College, I feel under a debt of gratitude which I cannot fitly express. His kind and instructive advice on man}' occasions, as well as the deep interest he has always manifested in tin- results of our treatment, will ever be must gratefully remembered.

ALBERT .1. STEELE.

Franklin Electrical Institute 89 Fulton Street, Brookly jtitute, > ro, N. Y. \

ERRATA.

Duping the preparation of this work, bo man; inroads were made

"l 11 " 1 into by tlie demands of our practice, that a lew errors and

omissions passed unnoticed until it was too late to correct them.

Pagk 24.— Con mencing at the tliird line, the words "at the nervous cords of the back, at tlie bark of the neck,'' should read— to the nervouB centre at the back ol the neck.

Page 26.— Case of Mrs, C. In the fourteenth line it should appear that four treatments per week were given, etc.

Also in note to this case, it must nut be inferred that sneezing is a necessar) B)mptom, as it is mentioned merely incidental!}.

Page 27, Cass 2.— Fourth line should read; There was a dii

charge from the head to the nose and throat, producing, etc.

Pack ->. — Ninth line from the top, the words " she sub.-cijuciitli recovered " are a mistake. The line should read — the improvement of her health under our treatment^was vcr\ satisfactory to heisell and friends.

In the first note on Page 29, we should have said that in this, a genuine case of Haj Catarrh or Rose Fever, electricity not only allevinted. but in a few days completely cured the disease.

Some of our most distinguished clergymen and liierary men are subject to this most troubles! me complaint — the only remedy for it w hick one of them is aw are of is " under the gravel, eight feet deep. 7, while the experience of Ihe clergymen is that " if tampered with it

XIV ERRATA.

will continue for ten weeks, but if let alone it will ruu ita course in six," and this appears to be the prevailing opinion. But we have shown that it can be cured by the aid of electricity.

A recent letter from the lady says: "My faith in your electrical treatment is as firm to-day as when a patient under your charge."

In note on pace 34, it should appear that the Enema is of Castile soap suds, and the words " extreme cases " should read — all cases.

Page 55. — Second line from bottom should read : This is a difficulty very commonly implicating all the genital organs.

Page 96.— The word right in the twelfth line should be night.

Page 127, Case 2. — The words twenty years in the second line should be thirty-four years.

Page 128, Case 3. —In third line the words " The ulcers were " should read — T/te uterus was.

Page 140, Case 17. — Eleventh line, words "from the cerebellum" should be — ocer'Jihe cerebellum.

Page 145, Case 17. — The explanatory note referred to in the seventeenth line has not only been overlooked but the reference to it appears out of its proper place. It referred to the statement of her sufferings while under medical treatment.

During this time she endured cauterizing, leeching, bleeding, the pouring of boiling hot water down her back (the scars of which are still visible), setons (three at a time), and blisters, at the same time receiving as " curative agents" arsenic, calomel, belladonna, henbane, and many others of which she did not know the name, together with narcotics of opium, laudanum and morphine.

We do not mention this for the purpose of casting any reflections

ERRATA. XV

upon the profession, but merely to show that tlie effect of this method ill treatment in un injury rather than a benefit.

Same Cask, Page 147. — The sinking Bpells referred to in (he fifteenth line should have been previously mentioned, They were very severe and dangerous, at times the patient becoming entirely unconscious. They were Buppoaed to proceed from the condition of the uterus as described in the case.

In the twenty-first line, same page, the explanatory note re/erred

tn was overlooked.

It should have said that by means of the infra-uterine electrode the condition ol the uterus was changed by discharges of very hetid mutter, which relieved the sinking spells which had for many years been one ol the most dangerous symptoms ol the case.

THEORY AND PRACTICE

OF

ELECTRICAL THERAPEUTICS.

CHAPTER I.

THE HUMAN SYSTEM CONSIDERED AS AN ELECTRICAL MACHINE

Oar investigations of the subject of Electricity and its effects upon the human system have Jed us irresistibly to the conclusion that man is but an Electrical Machine, and that disease is simply a disturbance or diminution of the electrical forces in the system. We do not purpose to enter into a lengthy consideration of our theory, but will simply give a brief synopsis of it

The Stomach is a laboratory wherein is generated the electrical forces which sustain life. The pneumogastric, or eighth pair of nerves, convey these to the brain, which is the reservoir for them, and from thence they are distributed through the nerves to each and every muscle in the human sj-stem.

We are strengthened in this view from the fact that there are one or more nerve branches terminating in each muscle, those at the fountain being the largest in size and diminishing as they distribute their branches on their course toward the extremities.

The nerves being all connected, it is easy to consider them as telegraph wires, distributing electrical forces from the brain throughout the whole system.

The spinal marrow supplies the nerves which sustain the trunk and intercostal muscles ; these nerves run in a horizontal direction, and diminish as they approach the median line or breast-bone, while the cranial nerves diminish as they go downward.

Thus far we have been speaking of the body, and our observation proves that the electrical current is most effective when administered from the head downward. We therefore place the negative sponge electrode at the foot of the patient, and beginning there, carefully treat every muscle in the system. In doing this, whatever disturbance there may be in the system will be made manifest, thus proving the necessity of the establishment of an equilibrium. This derangement of the electrical forces is due to congestion, which the electrical current removes, when applied in accordance with the theory before described.

We also find in the sympathetic nervous system, that there are ganglions and plexuses provided for a more ample supply of the vital, digestive and genital organs. By treating these the operator is enabled to control the particular organ with which they may be connected.

In the pneumo-gastric nervous system the nerves extend in every direction, hence when internal treatment is given, and a tonic is necessary, the current should flow upward, and in the contrary direction when a laxative is required.

CONGESTION.

We believe that congestion, better than any other word, expresses the condition, if not the primary cause from whence arises most of the difficulties of a positive nature which afflict the human family.

That our views may not be misconstrued, we will illustrate them as briefly as possible.

If, for example, we strike our arm with a hammer so as to injure it, a swelling ensues, produced, we say, by congestion, the wound assumes n dark appearance, the congestion having interfered with the circulation of the blood. If this is not removed, i nflammat ion and fever intervene; if we leave it for nature alone to remove the congestion, much time will be lost, and sometimes very serious consequences are experienced.

Nature needs assistance ; let us help her by placing the negative electrode in the hand, and manipulate with the positive electrical current all over the arm, but more especially around, above and on the wound, and soon the swelling will subside, the circulation resume its natural flow, and all this would be accomplished iri half an hour. So it was with the case of the boy herein recorded, who was thrown from a horse, striking on his side on top of a fence-post: within half an hour it was badly swollen, and the patient lay gasping for breath. He sat upon the negative electrode while we thoroughly manipulated (holding the posi-

■A THEORY AND PRACTICE OF

tive in one hand) all around and over the wound, and in half an hour the swelling had subsided, discoloration nearly gone, and the patient went about his business, when but one hour previous, fears were entertained that the case would prove fatal.

Our theory is, that electricity removed the congestion by forcing the circulation through its natural channels, and thus restored an equilibrium or normal condition.

This, then, is the first thing we have to deal with, and our method of. treating we have before described, as well as in the cases recorded, which the reader will find under heads of fever, diphtheria, quinsy, pleurisy, and other diseases of an acute form. In applying electricity we have been accustomed to passing it through our own system and from thence to the patient

NERVOUS DEBILITY.

This presents the opposite condition of the system. There is no congestion or inflammatory action to retard the working of the machinery ; but there is a feeble action in the vital or nerve forces. Either the stomach fails to generate these on account of its own weakness, or some other impeding cause prevents that distribution of them which is necessary to produce a healthy, vigorous action of the system.

The question arises — What is to be done? says one. " You would not apply the same treatment as in a congested, inflammatory condition." We answer, most assuredly we should ! Here is a loss of vital

ELECTRICAL THERAPEUTICS. fi

force necessary to propel the machinery, the stomach is needed to generate that force, but from some cause it is too feeble to perform its functions as it should.

Our first business is to permit it to do just what it is able to, and no more, and supply the deficiency as far as possible by electricity, gently but perseveringly applied, as in the cases cited in this work.

Thus we may confidently rely upon a response truly gratifying to the patient and all concerned.

In conclusion, we would say that, as nutritious food is the substance which generates the electrical 'forces that sustain life, we believe that nothing else should be taken into the stomach. We regard the use of all drug medicines as not only a mistake, but a positive injury to the system, and we point to the record of cases which follow, to show that good food and electricity, properly applied, are alone sufficient for the successful treatment of disease.

While other and different theories may be set up and speculated upon, one thing is certain, that the facts herein recorded cannot he changed.

CHAPTER II.

GENERAL TREATMENTS.

We have thought it best to devote one chapter of this work to the full explanation of the different general treatments we apply. In our statement of the various cases recorded, we have not the space to enter into the minute details of each of the general treatments given. We shall therefore simply designate them by the particular number they bear in this chapter, by reference to which the reader may readily understand it.

GENERAL TREATMENT NO. I.

It is very important that the patient should assume the most comfortable position possible, that every portion of the body may be at ease.

Let the patient lie on a lounge or bed. If the latter, with the right side toward the operator, so that as he sits looking toward the head of the patient, he can freely operate with his right hand. If the left hand is used, reverse the position of the patient

(1.) Having thus placed the patient in a favorable position, put the negative sponge electrode under the right foot or heel of the patient, the operator hold-

ELECTRICAL THEBAPEUTICS. 7

ing the positive electrode in the left hand ; commence at the foot, and manipulate by gently pressing with the hand, or rubbing over the foot, ankles, lower leg, and knee to the upper part of the thigh, thoroughly bringing the nerves and muscles under the electric influence.

(2.) Now change the negative electrode to the heel of the left foot, and manipulate as before.

(3.) Place both heels upon the negative electrode, and, beginning at the feet as before, manipulate in the same manner upward along both legs and thighs, over the abdomen, stomach, chest, to ami including the throat.

(4.) The patient will now, if able, sit up, being careful to keep the negative electrode in position as when lying down, while you manipulate all over the hips, back, shoulders and back of the neck.

(5.) The patient having resumed a reclining position, the operator, after washing his hands, will adjust the current suitably for the treatment of the face and forehead. The negative electrode may be removed to the patient's right hand, while the operator manipulates the whole of the right arm.

(6.) Being then removed to the left hand, the left arm should be treated in a similar manner.

NOTES.

1. It. is understood that the wearing apparel be properly loosened or removed, to afford a free access to all parts. When the patient is a female, it is ad visable to lay aside the dress and hoop skirts (retaining the under-garraents), a blanket being over the patient to prevent cold or exposure of person.

2. This electrical treatment, being fully carried out, will occupy from twenty-five to forty minutes, giving each of the nerves and muscles its due share of attention.

3. The electric current is to be regulated to suit the comfort of the patient. More than this is not admissible, or in accordance with nature, and serves to retard the restoration to health.

4. This electrical treatment is always in order, whatever the difficulty may be, and may always be applied with perfect safety, carefully attending to the comfort of the patient.

5. It will be evident, after a very little practical experience, that the force of the electrical current should vary considerably, according to the sensibility of the parts through which it is directed. Thus the feet, liver, limbs, region of the diaphragm, heart, lungs and thorax, are often quite sensitive, while the rest of the body, both back and front, may or may not be insensible to a pretty strong current.

6. Since this mode of treatment is fundamental, most important and universally admissible, it should in all cases be first applied ; every deviation will be designated in those which will hereafter be described.

7. It will be noticed that in this treatment we observe the proper course of the nerves downward from the head, if we except the intercostal nerves and muscles over the heart and vital organs. To carry out the treatment fully we may manipulate these by placing the negative electrode on the front median line, operate up and down the spinal cord, removing the negative sponge opposite the positive. In other words, move the two electrodes up and down together, one, the positive, on the back, and the negativt on the chest.

GENERAL TREATMENT SO. II.

The patient, as in No. 1, will adjust the wearing apparel and lay both heels upon the negative sponge. Operator will manipulate as in No. 1. electrizing all the nerves and muscles of the whole front surface ot the body, including the arms. This having been faithfully accomplished, the patient will sit up as directed in No. 1. The operator going thoroughly over the back, hips, shoulders and back of the neck, and especially over the spinal cord from the region of the cerebellum, or back of the head, to the end of the spinal column. The patient will then resume a reclining position ; the operator will wash his hands, and carefully and gently manipulate over the face, forehead and head, with a very light, gentle current

The Notes attached to Treatment No. 1 serve for direction and observation in this.

TREATMENT NO. III.

The patient, adjusting the wearing apparel, will be seated on the negative electrode; the operator will then proceed to manipulate all over the front part of the body and limbs, commencing at the feet, then over the back, including hips, shoulders, spinal column, and especially the cerebellum, or little brain, taking care to moisten the hair (since hair, when dry, is a non-conductor), then, tenderly over the head with a very gentle current, such as the patient can receive comfortably.

TREATMENT NO. IV.

The patient will adjust the clothes as in general treatment No. 1, having the negative electrode placed at the lower end of the spinal column.

The operator will commence at the feet, and manipulate as in No. 1. The current in this case passes up the limbs to the spinal column. Thence continue the treatment over the whole front of the person.

Let the patient now, if able,* sit up, and receive similar manipulation over the back, and especially the spinal column, hips, kidneys and shoulders, up to the cerebellum.

Much importance is to be attached to the influence of the electric current over the nervous centres, at the lower portion of the neck on the back.

TREATMENT NO. V.

The patient should be seated on an armless chair, the clothing adjusted so that the operator can easily

* If not able to sit up, the patient may lie on the right Bide, to enable the operator to reach every part of the body.

reach every part of the body. The feet should be placed in a foot- bath containing a sufficient amount of warm water to reach the calves of the legs. The operator, placing the negative electrode in the water, will now thoroughly manipulate all over the limbs and front portion of the body to the neck, then the back, hips, shoulders and especially the spinal column, going very carefully over the nervous centres back of the neck. The hair should now be moistened, and the back of the head treated with a current as strong as is pleasant to the patient. Then combing the hair out smooth, stroke down the head and manipulate gently over the forehead, temples and face,

TREATMENT NO. VI.

Let the patient assume a sitting or standing posture, as may be most convenient, with the feet resting upon the negative electrode sponge, either on the floor or in a foot-bath, with a little tepid water at the bottom.

The operator, holding the positive electrode sponge in either right or left hand, in his disengaged hand holds a sponge, with which he sponges the whole body, commencing at the feet and proceeding upward. To prevent chilliness or exposure, the patient is enveloped in a blanket thrown loosely over the shoulders.

No. 6 inav be changed to a perfectly convenient electro-sponge bath for self-bathing, by taking the positive insulated electrode in either hand, and proceeding to sponge the person, as in an ordinary sponge

12 THEOEY AND PRACTICE OF

bath. This will be found to be a delightful and invigorating electrization, and may always be used, whether in health or sickness, when one is fatigued either mentally or physically.

TREATMENT NO. VII.

An electrical vapor-bath may be given in the same manner as No. 6, only adding vapor, as in a Russian bath, or the common vapor-bath apparatus.* In the absence of these a blanket can be thrown over the person, and vapor produced by putting hot stones into a dish partly filled with water, under the blanket, while the operator manipulates with one hand, as directed in No. 6, or with the sponge, as in a spongebath.

Having thoroughly electrized the patient over the entire sj'stem, remove the vapor apparatus, rub the skin with flannel till perfectly dry and in a glow, and manipulate the whole person with one hand, having the electrode in the other, as prev'ously directed.

* This is a good substitute when neither the Turkish, Russian nor ordinary vapor-bath is conveniently attainable.

CHAPTER EEL

Wc purpose to give in this and succeeding chapters a statement of some of the cases which have come under our professional treatment. We present them in a simple manner, carefully avoiding, as far as possible, any technical terms which might serve to embarrass the general reader.

AMAUROSIS.

No. 1. — Miss D.,aged 17, troubled with severe headache, eyes very weak and hardly able to bear the light, while any cold or exposure would intensify the difficulty, Sometimes it appeared that reason would be dethroned.

An electrical examination proved that the optic nerve was affected, and caused most of the trouble. Grave Treatment No. 2, ami then locally, with the negative at the base of the brain : then, wetting the hair and smoothing it thoroughly, we treated the head with a smooth, bearable current, it being very sensitive. Then, changing the negative from the cerebellum to the crown of the head, we treated with the i.'ivtinger around the socket of the eye, not on the eye-ball as the nerves extend only as far as the white of the eve. and join the main optic nerve at the base of the eye-ball, extending a little back, and each side of the crown of the head. This treatment soon gave permanent relief. She returned to her home, rejoicing in the triumph of electrical treatment, when it had been predicted that it would injure rather than benefit her eyes.

No. 2. — Mrs. B., aged 60. The eyes of this patient were so weak that they could scarcely bear the daylight, while gaslight could not be endured. There was considerable pain, and despair had almost taken possession of her. We gave Treatment No. 2 thoroughly, and then a local one, by placing the negative at the base of the brain, and, after wetting the hair, treating all over the face and head, after which, for a more special treatment, we placed the negative just back of the crown of the head, and with the positive in our left hand, with the forefinger we treated all around the socket of the eye, being careful not to touch the eye-ball. By this means the current acted directly upon the optic nerve.

After receiving about sixteen of these treatments she was enabled to bear the light, and, with the aid of neutral glasses, she received no discomfort from the light of gas.

Note. — This was a case of long standiDg and very troublesome. The state of her eyes was such that when the gas was lighted she either had to retire or cover her eyes entirely.

No. 3. — Mrs. M., aged 35, had been obliged to wear a green blinder extending from above the eye to below the end of her nose. Any light was extremely painful, and there was very high inflammation. The edge of the eyelids was a continual rSftr sore.

Gave Treatment No. 2, then locally, by placing the negative at the base of the brain, or cerebellum, and, wetting the head, proceeded as in case No. 1, and produced most happy and speedy results. In two days we dispensed with the blinder, had subdued the inflammation, allowing the eye-lid to heal, and in the course of a week she was able to perform her usual work ; took no more treatments, and continued to regain strength until fully restored.

Note. — This was a formidable case, and was treated in Chicago in the year 180:i. This was in the early part of our professional use of electricity, and the result gave us confidence in its efficacy in the various difliculties of the eye, and we are happy to state that our confidence in its use has been increasing under our observation ever since.

No. 4. — Master M., aged 17, with inflamed sore eyes for several weeks, and growing worse. When we first treated the ease they were distressing to behold, looking angry and much swollen. Gave Treatment No. 2, and then manipulated as in ease No. 1. Taking about a half a dozen treatments, in as many days, restored the eyes to a heal thy condition.

Note. — Had another case at the same time, with the same difficulty. These two lads roomed together, used the same towel; both were restored at the same time, by the same treatment. There was great gratitude expressed in both cases for their deliverance from pain and suffering, as well as loss of time.