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Electricity (ANIMAL the branch ment)

ANIMAL, the branch ment by Galvani gave birth. His wife, who was making soup from frogs, happened to put them, after being skinned, in proximity to a charged electrical machine belonging to her husband. On touching them with a scalpel their legs became greatly convulsed. Galvani on his return was told what had occurred, and repeated the experiment on several occasions. He united the lumbar nerves of dead frog with its crural muscles by a metallic circuit. He came to the erroneous conclusion that animal electricity existed in the nerves and muscles of frogs, etc. In this explanation Galvani ignored the metallic connecting parts constituted only a conductor, and to their contact, and that the animal the disengagement of electricity was due part in producing the contraction, and ferred that the metals took the active metals instead of one. He therefore inattention to this, and found that the contraction of the limbs is more energetic when the connecting arc is made of two metals instead of one. He therefore inferred that the metals took the active part in producing the contraction, and the disengagement of electricity was due to their contact, and that the animal parts constituted only a conductor, and at the same time a very sensitive' electroscope. In 1793 he published these views, and in 1800 first described and constructed what has since been called after him the voltaic pile. Febroni observing that the disks of zinc in the pile became oxidized in contact with the acidulated water, considered, as did Wollaston and Davy, that the oxidation was the chief cause why electricity was disengaged. Now voltaic piles have nearly given place to voltaic or galvanic batteries of which there are many varieties. Franklin ELECTRICITY IN MEDICINE. The use of electricity in treatment of human diseases dates back to the 18th century, when the electric spark and frictional electricity were so applied. Fra was the first to use shocks from Leyden jars for the treatment of paralysis. As far back as 1775 the effect of static electricity on the human system was well known, and was dealt with to considerable length in the writings of Tithe past century were further steps in 1800, and of faradic electricity during of voltaic, or galvanic, electricity in 1800, and of faradic electricity during the past century were further steps in by means of the Leyden jars. For a treatment than was possible of a gentler trea by means of the Leyden jars. For a return to that method because of modase, but more recently there has been a return to that method because of mod- The application of electricity to the ELECTRICITY IN MEDICINE human body for curative purposes may machine, in which glass plates are reproduced from the ordinary frictional volved against chamois, rubber or horsehair brushes, the current being received in Leyden jars. Galvanic electricity is be divided into three forms; static, gal- And faradism, or faradic electricity, is set in motion by the voltaic battery. vanic, and faradic. The first form is produced by induced, or interrupted, chines. set in motion by the voltaic battery. currents, generated by magneto-electric or electro-magnetic induction coil marise duces many effects on the human body.

It has been long known that the body loses weight through its application, and that it causes the temperature either to The first form, static electricity, proplasm, excites nerve fibers, nerve cells and nerve centers, and stimulates nutritreatment of lumbago, spastic paralysis, locomotor ataxia, chronic and muscular rise or fall, due to increased functional rheumatism, neuritis, progressive musactivity. cular atrophy, insomnia, congestion of energy cells, causes contraction of protothe liver, and sciatica. It also serves to tion. It is, therefore, effective in the

It sets free the potential control neurasthenia, and is valuable also as a general tonic. It has also been effectively used in reducing sprains. The only danger of its use, in unpracticed hands, lies in the liability of a reduction of the blood pressure, which in certain cases may produce bad effects. For this rea- blood pressure, which in certain cases lies in the liability of a reduction of the danger of its use, in unpracticed hands, for curative purposes. For this reason profession. son care should be taken to avoid the numerous quacks and charlatans who advertise widely the use of electricity it is advocated the use of electricity son care should be taken to avoid the nervous headaches, hysteria, passing a voltaic current from a battery of many elements through the living tion, of the muscular system, succeeded with a distinct interval by a momentary sensation or flow of heat due to the Galvanic treatment is produced by passage of the current, slight tingling passing a voltaic current from a battery be restricted to the legitimate medical it is advocated that the use of electricity Galvanic treatment is produced by for curative purposes. For this reason advertise widely the use of electricity sensations and a raising of the temperature are felt, especially in contact with the electrodes, which bepassage of the current, slight tingling sensations and a raising of the temperatissues which follows is accompanied by electric current. During the continued are powerful in proportion to the length of time the circuit has been closed. The a second shock and a glow of heat, which portion to the intensity, rather than ly in those parts flows through the body. The use of this contraction of the muscles is in proto the amount of the electricity which 32-Vol. III-Cyc ELECTRIC LAMP method of application is to exercise atrophied muscles and secure their nutrition. In surgery the electrolytic action of the galvanic current destroys tumors and abnormal growths in the nasal cavity. The galvanic current is also used in heating a cautery for searing a surface to secure a cicatrix. The use of faradic electricity is usually for its tonic effect. The continued passage of the interrupted currents acts chiefly as a mechanical stimulant, first exciting, and after a time depressing the vitality of the parts in the circuit. Vibrations produced by purely mechanical means, without the use of electricity, may be made to cause very similar effects. Faradization is especially applicable to those diseases in which a deficiency of functional energy is involved, as in mild cases of spinal and peripheral paralysis. Changes of circulation or of the molecular state may be excited in the central organs by reflex irritation.

It has also been used with good effect in the treatment of gout, rheumatism, widespread ecezma, and constipation, when due to indigestion.

Galvanic electricity, however, will also produce all the effects due to the faradic current, but to a very much higher degree.

ELECTRIC LAMP. See ELECTRIC LIGHT.