In certain of the "myopathies of spinal origin," but not in all of them, electricity gives excellent results. The most decidedly curative results are obtained in infantile paralysis. The electrical treatment should be begun early, but after the subsidence of all inflammatory symptoms. Good results may be looked for if the electro-contractility of the muscles is not lost, and if important changes have not occurred in the joints. In many cases the affected muscles, although not atrophied, do not respond to the faradic current, but will to the interrupted galvanic. The latter should therefore be used until the muscles are put into a condition to respond to the former. Besides galvanization and faradization of the paralyzed muscles, the electrical treatment should include galvanic spinal-nerve and plexus-nerve currents. Thus far but little benefit has accrued from the electrical treatment of progressive muscular atrophy. If the initial change in this malady were myopathic (as asserted by Friedreich), good results from localized faradization might be obtained. The author's most recent experience as to the curability of this disease by electricity is not in accord with Onimus and Legros's, who declare that it is without avail in this disorder, for it does appear to have the power, in some instances, of arresting its progress. Posterior spinal sclerosis is sometimes retarded in its course and progress by electricity, and galvanization of the spine lessens somewhat the severity of the neuralgic pains which belong to this malady. Recently it has been shown that persistent use of the faradic brush to the spine, body, and extremities, is in suitable cases remarkably effective. Of all the remedial means now employed, this is the most promising, for Strumpf, of Düsseldorf, who has revived this treatment, reports not only amelioration but apparent cures of this before intractable disease.

Nothing is more certain in therapeutics than the relief to pain by galvanization of the affected nerve or nerves. In tic-douloureux decided relief to the pain is obtained by electrical applications to the fifth, and a permanent cure not infrequently results in those cases belonging to the category of the essential neuralgiae, so called. The best method of application is that advised by Onimus and Legros, which consists in placing the positive pole on the point of emergence of the affected nerve, and the negative over the superior ganglion of the cervical sympathetic. About ten elements of Siemens and Hal-ske is the proper strength, and five to eight minutes the proper time, for these applications. This method of treatment is, according to Frommhold, the most effective remedy for migraine or hemicrania.

In cervico-brachial neuralgia, and in sciatica, excellent results are obtained by galvanization of the affected nerves. The positive pole should be placed over the point of emergence of the nerves from the cord, and the negative over the main divisions of the peripheral expansion. Both labile and stabile currents may be employed. A current from thirty elements will usually be required. The electrodes should be large sponges well moistened. In old cases of neuralgia, a needle such as is used for acupuncture, but insulated to near its point, may be introduced down to the neighborhood of the nerve-trunk and attached to the positive pole, while the negative sponge-electrode may be passed over the course of the nerve. This mode of galvanization is especially to be recommended in old cases of sciatica. A daily séance of from five to fifteen minutes is required usually in cases of neuralgia. The cure is much more difficult, and the applications must be continued over a much longer period of time, in those cases of neuralgia dependent on neuritis. Decided amelioration and even cure may be hoped for by sufficiently prolonged applications, when the nerves are so far altered that induced currents do not cause any muscular contractions. Some of the most satisfactory results have been obtained from galvanization of the uterus in uterine and ovarian nerve-pain.

In certain kinds of muscular spasm the galvanic current has unquestioned utility. Cases of spasmodic wry-neck (torticollis) of recent origin, due to "rheumatism," are quickly relieved by galvanization by stabile currents of the affected muscles, and faradization of the opposed muscles. Old cases of wry-neck and convulsive tic of the face, and writer's cramp, are not benefited by this treatment. Cases of chorea have been cured by static electricity, but little benefit has been derived, according to the author's observation, from galvanism or faradism.

Galvanism is sometimes of great service in epilepsy, but no exact indications for its use can be laid down. Obviously it can only be serviceable in idiopathic epilepsy. The applications should include the brain (transverse current from mastoid process), the cervical sympathetic, and those nerve-trunks along which an aura is transmitted.

The author has witnessed some remarkable results from the galvanization of the pneumogastric nerves, and as conspicuous failures from the same practice, in spasmodic asthma. Even in those cases not permanently improved, great relief to the difficult breathing is experienced when the current is passing. The positive pole is placed over the pneumogastric, beneath the mastoid process, and the negative pole is applied to the epigastrium. Faradism is not serviceable in this disease.

Exophthalmic goitre, a disease of the sympathetic system and manifested objectively by proptosis, goitre, and palpitation of the heart, is cured by galvanization of the cervical sympathetic and of the pneumogastric, and by applications to the eyes and thyroid gland, when it is merely functional in character.

There can be no reasonable doubt of the influence of electricity over the nutritive functions. Beard and Rockwell employ the method termed by them "general electrization," which consists in faradic applications to the surface of the body, "one pole, usually the negative, being placed at the feet or the coccyx, while the other is applied all over the surface of the body." They formulate their principles in these applications as follows: "Constitutional diseases are better treated by general, and local diseases by localized electrization." According to Benedikt—and in this view electricians are generally in accord—the true method of using electricity consists in making applications to the affected part or organs, and, to this rule may be added, to those parts or organs also in which symptoms are felt.

General electrization is useful "in those diseases that are dependent on, or associated with, impairment of nutrition and general debility of the vital functions, such as nervous dyspepsia, neurasthenia, anaemia, chlorosis, hysteria, hypochondriasis, paralysis, and neuralgia of a constitutional origin, rheumatism and other toxic diseases, some forms of chorea, and oftentimes in functional disorders of the genital, digestive, and other special organs."

In anaemia and chlorosis the usual remedies for these states may be much assisted by central galvanization, and localized applications to the vegetative organs. Regurgitation of food, gastralgia, and feebleness of digestion, are often signally benefited by galvanization of the pneumogastrics, and by localized applications to the abdominal organs. Strong currents are needed when internal organs are to be affected by electrodes applied to the integument of the abdomen. A more effective application in these cases consists in the use of an insulated rectal electrode, while a sponge electrode of large size, and well moistened, is passed over the various organs of the abdomen. The relief of constipation by this means has already been alluded to.

Various diseases of the pelvic organs, both in the male and female, are successfully treated by electricity. Amenorrhoea, when dependent on atony of the ovaries and uterus, is cured by static electricity, by faradism, or by an interrupted galvanic current. A shock from a Leyden-jar may be transmitted through the pelvis, or a strong faradic or galvanic current may be applied by means of one pole on the spine, the other on the hypogastric region. In the case of married women an insulated vaginal electrode may be introduced and placed in contact with the os uteri. This is a more effective way of making the applications than by the electrodes placed externally. In neuralgic dysmenorrhoea the galvanic current will afford relief in a large proportion of cases; and, in congestive dysmenorrhoea, an inverse current will diminish the blood-supply, and thus lessen suffering. The treatment of these affections should be conducted during the interval. The chronic congestive enlargement of the uterus is sometimes remarkably benefited by a galvanic current of moderate intensity slowly interrupted, but it is doubtful if any case of chronic interstitial metritis is ever cured, or even ameliorated, by this means.

Although the changes in the joints, induced by gout and rheumatism, may not be cured by galvanization of the central nervous system, as claimed by Meyer, yet there is no doubt that myalgia, lumbago, and other so-called rheumatic diseases of the muscular system, may be promptly relieved and cured by the constant current. The stiffness of the joints and the muscular soreness which remain after an attack of acute rheumatism are best relieved by passing a mild galvanic current through the affected parts.

Herpes, especially herpes zoster, and prurigo, when they are referable to an alteration of the cutaneous nerves, are curable by electricity. The author has seen excellent results in cases of shingles, from galvanization of the affected intercostal nerves—the positive pole being placed over the point of emergence of the nerves, and the negative brushed over the terminal filaments in the skin. Beard reports the cure of obstinate cases of chronic eczema by central galvanization, and his results have been confirmed by others. The author has seen a number of cases of acne get well under the influence of galvanization of the cervical sympathetic, and local galvanization of the skin of the face—the positive pole on the neck, the negative passed over the affected parts. It need hardly be stated that strong currents are not to be used when the poles are applied in these situations. Among the other skin-affections treated by galvanism with success are prurigo, psoriasis, and even scleroderma; but, as Dr. Piffard, of New York, has remarked, this method is "by no means uniformly successful." It is applicable to the treatment of the neuroses of the skin.