When the electrical current is made to traverse insulated needles introduced into the tissues of the body, electrolytic effects are produced, decomposition of the tissues ensues, hydrogen and the alkalies appear at the negative pole, and acids and chlorine at the positive. Remak, in his various publications, much insisted on the catalytic action of the constant current. Effusions into and about inflamed parts, and into the substance of tumors, may be made to disappear by the external application of galvanism, through moistened sponge-electrodes. It is doubtful, however, whether neoplastic formations can be thus made to undergo absorption. The disappearance of effusions induces such an appearance of shrinking of tumors and inflammatory products, that actual absorption of the neoplastic material may be supposed to have occurred.

Galvano-puncture is used to remove malignant and other new formations. The sanguine expectations once entertained that cancer can be thus removed, although justified by the results in a few apparently successful cases, have not been realized. Beard proposed and has executed a new method, entitled "working up the base," which consists in electrolytic decomposition of the subjacent parts of a cancer. A number of needles, insulated to near their points, are introduced into the healthy tissues beneath the morbid growth, and a current from twenty to sixty elements is passed through them. Decomposition ensues, and there takes place a separation of the morbid mass. As the pain of this method is great, etherization should be resorted to.

Aneurisms, so situated as to be beyond the reach of surgical interference, have been treated by galvano-puncture, but the success, although brilliant in a few instances, has not been such as to justify very sanguine expectations of its future utility. Erectile tumors are curable by electrolysis. Goitre is sometimes made to disappear by the same means. The cysts connected with glandular tumors in the neck may be permanently occluded by galvano-puncture. The most useful applications of this method have been in hydrocele, which may be often cured in my experience by introducing two needle-electrodes, insulated to near their points, and passing a current from twenty to forty elements. Not less effective is the same method in the treatment of hydatid disease of the liver. One needle connected with the negative pole is introduced, and the sponge-electrode is placed at some indifferent point on the abdomen.

Spasmodic and permanent stricture of the urethra are treated by electrolysis, an insulated sound with a metallic tip, connected with the negative pole, being passed into the stricture, and the positive pole placed at some indifferent point. The most successful results have been obtained by Mallez and Tripier, and Dr. Robert Newman, of New York; but it is the author's observation, as also the experience of Dr. Keyes, of New York, that this method has little real utility.

Wounds and ulcers of an indolent character, and bed-sores, may be made to heal by attaching to them a galvanic couplet (zinc and silver); one of the elements remaining in contact with the sore, and the other on the skin in the neighborhood. They should be connected by a copper wire, and be confined to the parts by strips of adhesive plaster. This method has been especially serviceable in the treatment of bed-sores.