CENTRAL GALVANIZATION. 
BY 
A. 1). ROCKWELL, M. D., 
ELECTRO-THERAPEUTIST TO TUE NEW YORK STATE WOMAN’S HOSPITAL. 
[REPRINTED FROM THE N. Y. MEDICAL JOURXAL, MAY, 1S73.J 
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1873. PROSPECTUS FOR 1873. 
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D. APPLETON & 00., 549 & 551 Broadway, N. Y CENTRAL GALVANIZATION. 
BY 
A. D. ROCKWELL, M. D., 
ELECTBO-THERAPETTTIST TO THE NEW YOBK STATE WOMAN’S HOSPITAL. 
{REPRINTED FROM THE N. Y. MEDICAL JOURNAL, MAY., 1373 ] 
NEW YORK: 
D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 
54 9 & 551 BROADWAY. 
1873. CENTRAL GALVANIZATION? 
Iif a comprehensive article on this topic of central galvan- 
ization, it would he necessary to refer more particularly to the 
physiology of the central nervous system, and to review the 
subject of electro-physiology; but, as my aim is practical, I 
simply propose to consider a few questions that naturally 
arise in relation to the direct effect of electricity on the cen- 
tral nerves, together with the modus operand.i, and clinical 
results of this peculiar method. 
I. Is it possible for electricity {in medicinal or therapeu- 
tical doses if I may so speak) to penetrate to the brain, spinal 
cord, and sympathetic, and directly affect these organs f In 
regard to the faradic current in its relations to the brain and 
spinal cord, all experiment and experience answer decidedly 
in the negative. In the construction of certain helices, the 
combination of wires is such that the current proceeding from 
them may produce an undoubted glimmer before the eyes, 
simulating the flashes of light following galvanic excitation of 
the retina. 
Even from the coils in most ordinary use, we obtain a cur- 
rent that is sufficient, in certain pathological conditions of the 
brain, to cause dizziness and flashes of light, while in irritable 
conditions of the spinal cord it is not unusual for a mild fara- 
dic current to be followed by the same phenomena of tingling 
and numbness in the extremities that are frequently observed 
after galvanization of the spine. ISTow, these effects are purely 
1 Read before the New York County Medical Society. 4 
CENTRAL GALVANIZATION. 
the result of reflex action, for, in the healthy "brain, not only 
does faradization fail to produce dizziness, or to excite the 
function of any of the nerves of special sense, but patient ex- 
periment, by the aid of the rlieoscopic frog, lias failed to detect 
the passage of even very intense currents through the bony 
covering of the head. 
The great sympathetic is readily influenced by the faradic 
current, but it is impossible to localize its effects in special 
ganglia, and because of the very general way in which it is 
alone capable of affecting this system, I prefer to exclude it 
in the consideration of the electrical treatment of the central 
organs. So far as it concerns the great sympathetic, it is best 
treated under the head of general faradization. The galvanic 
current has far greater power. Not only do the observed 
effects of its application to the head teach, but actual experi- 
ment proves, that it readily penetrates to all portions of the 
brain. 
How quickly does it affect every nerve of special sense, 
and cause its function to be manifested ! Let its gentle influ- 
ence pervade the brain-substance, and tlie peculiar metallic 
taste, which is the guide to its efficient action, is instantly 
perceived. Interrupt the steady flow of its current, and a 
flash of light follows as evidence of retinal excitation. Pass it 
transversely through the head for a moment, and, though noth- 
ing may be felt, or seen, or tasted, yet the instant of the inter- 
ruption of the current, vertigo follows, intense in proportion 
to the strength of the galvanic action. 
All these phenomena point unmistakably to a direct cen- 
tral action of the current, and the confirmation is now perfect 
through the well-known and ingenious experiments of Erb 
with the galvanoscopic frog. The sympathetic nerve is very 
susceptible to galvanic influence. The first experimental 
researches on the function of the sympathetic nerve are 
familiar and yet interesting. 
It was pointed out that after section of the cervical sympa- 
thetic in a living animal the circulation became more rapid, 
and the heat and susceptibility of the head decidedly in- 
creased. 
These phenomena which were caused by paralysis of the CENTRAL GALVANIZATION. 
5 
vaso-motor nerves immediately disappeared when the cephalic 
extremity of the sympathetic was galvanized, only to return, 
however, when this influence was discontinued. The current 
caused constriction of the paralyzed and dilated arterioles 
through its indirect influence on the vaso-motor nerves. 
II. What are the observed physiological effects of galvani- 
zation on the central nervous system f I have already spoken 
of its influence over the senses of sight and smell, and the 
readiness with which it causes vertigo when passed trans- 
versely through the brain. 
Let any one experiment a little with the current, and he 
will find, singularly enough, that when one electrode is placed 
on the forehead and the other on the occiput, or one on' the 
summit of the head and the other on the stomach—after the 
method of central galvanization presently to he described— 
galvanization is followed by little if any tendency to vertigo. 
On the contrary, when a current of even feeble tension is 
passed from temple to temple, or from one mastoid bone to its 
fellow, very decided dizziness is at once perceived, which con- 
tinues during the operation of the current, and becomes most 
decidedly manifested at the moment the circuit is broken. 
During the passage of the current, there is a very marked 
and quite irresistible tendency to lean toward the positive 
pole, while objects in view seem to move in the same direc- 
tion. When the circuit is opened there is a reversal in the 
direction of the seeming movements, and the experimenter 
instantly bends in the opposite direction, toward the negative 
pole. 
For these phenomena an ingenious and plausible explana- 
tion is given by Hitzig: When the current passes from the 
forehead to the occiput, the right and left lobes of the brain 
and all that pertains to them are equally or symmetrically in- 
fluenced, and little if any dizziness is perceived. Place, how- 
ever, the anode upon one temple and the cathode upon the 
other, and mark the readiness with which dizziness ’is pro- 
duced. 
In this operation the brain is no longer symmetrically 
aflected. One hemisphere is in a condition of an electroton os 
or diminished irritability, while the other is in a condition of 6 
CENTRAL GALVANIZATION. 
catelectrotonos or increased irritability, or, as it is expressed, 
there is a falsification of the muscular sense, a disturbance of 
the equilibrium, and the apparently involuntary inclination 
toward the anode is in reality a voluntary effort to restore the 
imaginary loss of balance. 
These, then, are the principal physiological results of exter- 
nal galvanization of the brain. 
The observed effects of galvanic excitation of the cord and 
sympathetic are less marked, but no less real than the phe- 
nomena following galvanization-of the brain. Galvanization 
of the sympathetic is of itself such a comprehensive topic for 
speculation that in this paper it is impossible to do more than 
call attention to the fact that both clinical observation and the 
ophthalmoscope render it evident that external applications 
of the current appreciably affect its ganglia and powerfully 
influence the vaso-motor system of nerves. 
The so-called diplegic contractions, to which attention was 
first called by Remak, give the strongest evidence of the pos- 
sibility of directly influencing the cervical ganglia of the sym- 
pathetic by external galvanization. lie was the first to note 
the fact that, when the positive pole is placed in the auriculo- 
maxillary fossa, and the negative in the neighborhood of the 
sixth cervical vertebra, and a current of sufficient tension is 
used, contractions of the muscles of one or both hands are fre- 
quently observed. Subsequently, Fieber confirmed these ex- 
periments by exposing the sympathetic in living animals and 
submitting it to the action of the current. In my owm prac- 
tice, I have so frequently, and under such a variety of circum- 
stances, observed this phenomenon, that I cannot hesitate to 
believe that direct stimulation of the cord and the phenomena 
of diplegic contractions are related to each other as cause and 
effect. 
I first entertained the idea of directly influencing the cen- 
tral nervous system, in certain morbid conditions, by the 
galvanic current more than four years ago. It is possible 
that the method of central galvanization had been before at- 
tempted, especially by some of the German school; at all 
events, I had not heard of any systematic endeavors in this 
direction, and it is certain that little if any thing had been CENTRAL GALVANIZATION. 
7 
accomplished by this method in the treatment of the wide 
variety of nervous disorders where its value has now been so 
thoroughly tested. 
My first experience in the use of central galvanization was 
not at all satisfactory, and for two reasons: 1. We had then 
no galvanic apparatus that was certainly reliable, and in which 
all the essential factors were combined for the ready regula- 
lation and modification of the current in its application to 
sensitive conditions. 2. We confined our endeavors mostly to 
those forms of central disease (structural in character) which 
in the light of subsequent experience have proved in the ma- 
jority of cases to be little amenable to the therapeutics of 
electricity. 
In the most thorough form of central galvanization, one 
pole (the anode) is placed on the vertex of the skull, or, as it 
is generally termed, the cranial centre, while the cathode is 
applied to the epigastrium. 
A current, varying in intensity and in the length of its ap- 
plication according to the exigencies of the case, is now al- 
lowed to pass. It is not necessary, as a rule, to moisten all 
the hair of the head and apply the electrode to its entire sur- 
face. I prefer rather to wet a narrow tract from the cranial 
centre to the region of the sixth cervical vertebra or cilio- 
spinal centre, so that I can slide the electrode along the sur- 
face, and thus, during an entire seance, keep up a constant in- 
fluence and avoid even the possibility of an interruption of 
the current with its resultant shock. From the cilio-spinal 
centre the electrode is passed gradually along the spine to a 
point opposite the epigastrium, the seat of the cathode. 
In regard to the length of these seances each case must be 
in some measure a law unto itself. In speaking elsewhere of 
faradization I have remarked that there was to it a more vary- 
ing degree of susceptibility than to almost any other agent. 
This statement applies equally if not more so to central gal- 
vanization ; and I speak most earnestly, and from consider- 
able experience, when I say that a careless and ill-directed ap- 
plication of the galvanic current to the central nervous sys- 
tem may produce absolute physical injury as well as contrib- 
ute to the already-swollen catalogue of evidence (both posi- 8 
CENTKAL GALVANIZATION. 
tive and negative) against electrotherapeutics. Patients are 
often treated who are so susceptible to central galvanization 
that the current from two or three ordinary cells will produce 
decided effects that are both immediate and secondary. The 
immediate effects are the result of excitation of the nerves of 
special sense and are of course temporary; the secondary are 
manifested a short time after the cessation of treatment, and 
may be permanent. These secondary effects, if favorable, are 
seen in increased mental clearness ; in the relief of the various 
forms of neuralgic pains and muscular twitchings that are of 
central origin, or in the restoration of lost power of sleep. 
In another patient it may recpiire ten cells to effect these same 
results. So far, however, as positive directions can be given, 
I may say that rarely should the applications to the head be 
longer than two or three minutes, and in many cases from fif- 
teen to thirty seconds is all-sufficient. I need hardly say that 
in other instances galvanism is contraindicated; even the 
slightest current tends to evil rather than good. 
It is Specially important, in the treatment of the highly- 
excitable and nervous, that no sudden shock or flashes of light 
should be produced. 
As a rule, the metallic taste, which is instantly noticed by 
the patient when even the mildest current is used, is a suffi- 
cient guide for a first or tentative application. Subsequently 
in many cases the current may be increased, even until its 
stinging or burning effects are observed at the stomach. While 
in the great proportion of cases the metallic taste appears long 
before the current is sufficiently intense to be felt in the slight- 
est degree at either pole, occasionally the order is reversed, 
and actual pain may follow the application before there is 
any appreciable excitation of the gustatory nerve. In such 
cases I have observed that the brain is in a remarkable degree 
tolerant to the effects of the current. In regard to the elec- 
trodes, let me simply say that the positive, or the one at the 
head, should be several times the size of its fellow at the 
stomach. 
The galvanometer is to me an indispensable appliance in 
the use of central galvanization. All galvanic apparatus that 
I ever used are liable at times, from failure of some one of CENTRAL GALVANIZATION. 
9 
the many factors that contribute to an equal and constant flow 
of the current, to fail us at the critical moment. We fre- 
quently desire to use a current of insufficient strength, when 
applied externally, to excite in the patient the sensation of 
feeling, or any of the nerves of special sense. To be abso- 
lutely sure that the current is operating evenly and well, it is 
necessary either to feel it or to see its effects, and the only ready 
method of causing it to be manifest to either the feeling or 
taste, is to apply the electrode to the tongue. This, however, 
is not only disagreeable to the operator, but, if persisted in, 
may be of decided injury. The galvanometer, taking the de- 
gree as its unit of measurement, detects the mildest current, 
and relieves the mind from all doubts as to its efficient action. 
So far as my clinical observation extends, I may say that 
it is in the varied forms of hysteria, hypochondriasis, and 
melancholia, in neuralgias of central origin, in spinal con- 
gestion and irritation, in chorea and kindred spasmodic affec- 
tions, that central galvanization seems to be especially indi- 
cated. 
The cases that follow are all taken from private practice, 
and, as will be observed, the success achieved in every one is 
either complete or approximate. I am very far from wishing 
to be understood that the results of these cases are typical of 
those that may be expected in every instance where central 
galvanization is apparently indicated. As I have frequently 
remarked concerning other methods of electrization, the fail- 
ures are sufficiently frequent. I have purposely selected from 
my clinical note-book a number of well-authenticated cases, 
that illustrate the very best results of central galvanization : 
Melancholia of Two Years’ Standing in a Young Married 
Lady.—Complete Recovery under Central Galvanization 
after Failure of Persistent Internal Medication and 
Faradization. 
Case I.—Mrs. Y., a married woman, aged twenty-five, 
came first under my observation October 8, 1871, in the 
seventh month of her pregnancy. Her mental condition 
was lamentable in the extreme. There was chiefly a per- 
version of the whole habit or manner of feeling, such as so 10 
CENTRAL GALVANIZATION. 
frequently follows actual intellectual derangement. She con- 
fessed and bewailed her want of interest in or love for those 
who were nearest to her, and evidently suffered most intensely 
from a profound feeling of depression and misery—a vast and 
formless idea of utter desolation. The patient appreciated 
her condition, would reason concerning it, and acknowledge 
that there was nothing real to which she could point as a 
cause for her misery. 
These wretched feelings were not altogether new, but for 
over two years had in a modified form annoyed her con- 
siderably. Bitten slightly by a favorite dog, she merged im- 
mediately into a condition that may be called hypochondria- 
cal melancholia, with an exaggerated notion of the danger she 
had incurred. She had been treated persistently but without 
avail, and as a dernier ressort faradization was attempted. It 
utterly failed in its effects, and in good faith the patient was 
encouraged to hope that with her delivery, her mental balance 
would return. The child was born, and three months subse- 
quently I was again called to see the mother, only to find her 
condition more aggravated than at any previous time. I now 
resolved to make use of central galvanization, and employed a 
current from six ordinary-sized zinc carbon-cells, with a sit- 
ting of four minutes. The patient was not at all improved 
by the seance, but seemed, if any thing, slightly more sen- 
sitive to external impressions. 
In a couple of days the same application was again tried, 
with the evident result of decidedly exciting her mind. A 
third effort was made with but three cells, from which the 
current w$s just sufficient in tension to call into action the 
sense of taste. From this trial the patient experienced un- 
doubted relief, and at intervals of a day, the application with- 
out being varied excepting in the length of the seance, was 
repeated for some two months. Although during the treat- 
ment two or three slight relapses occurred, yet, on the whole, 
the improvement was steady and satisfactory, and at the close 
of the “ central ” treatment, when she was placed entirely in 
the care of Dr. 'William J. Donor for uterine difficulty, her 
recovery was complete. CENTRAL GALVANIZATION. 
11 
Spasmodic Cough, unique in Character and of Unusual 
Persistency and Severity. — Becovery under Central 
Galvanization. 
Case II.—Miss II., aged sixteen, was transferred to my 
care by the family physician, Dr. H. H. Gregory. The case 
is an example of an unusually susceptible nervous organization, 
and is a good illustration of the readiness with which many 
so-called nervous symptoms change their seat and character. 
The distinct and positive features that stand so boldly relieved 
in the progress of this particular case, may serve to explain 
the more subtle and less marked change of symptoms that so 
often occur in certain nervous diatheses, only to perplex and 
to set at naught the resources of therapeutics. The patient 
was a lively, impressible girl, prone to physical indiscretions, 
and careless of consequences. She had suffered for a number 
of years from frequent and unusually severe attacks of sick- 
headache, but, as soon as the paroxysm had passed away, she 
regained her usual strength and buoyancy. The sudden and 
unexpected death of a sister, naturally enough, stirred up her 
emotional nature to its depths, and, together with an impru- 
dent exposure of her person to cold and dampness, seemed to 
be the exciting cause of a most remarkable, persistent, and dis- 
tressing cough, which, slight at first, reached its height in 
severity in the month of March, 1812. Amid the numberless 
efforts that were made by both internal medication and inha- 
lations, but one remedy seemed to be of the slightest service. 
Dor a time the paroxysms seemed to abate somewhat under 
the influence of chloral, although no permanent benefit was 
derived from its use. When, during the latter part of July, I 
first saw the case, through the kindness of Dr. Gregory, the 
following was the prominent characteristic of her paroxysmal 
attacks: Every one will instantly recognize the peculiar 
harsh or grating sound which is so often elicited by the down- 
ward thrust of a saw that is improperly handled or insuffi- 
ciently oiled. The cough of our patient exactly simulated 
this sound, and, when it first fell upon my ears, I supposed 
that some one was sawing in the adjoining room. 
During a paroxysm, the expiratory efforts were just one a 
second in frequency, and from a dozen to sixty in number. 12 
CENTRAL GALVANIZATION. 
The violence of the attack would rack her terribly, and 
when prolonged was followed by considerable exhaustion. 
The paroxysms themselves occurred so often, some twenty or 
twenty-five times during the twenty-four hours, that she was 
necessarily obliged to give up all attendance at places of pub- 
lic resort, and confine herself mostly at home. 
On account of my absence from the city most of the month 
of August, the patient was not fairly submitted to my treat- 
ment until September. I then submitted her to a thorough 
laryngoscopic examination, and found nothing abnormal, 
with the exception of a slight tendency to congestion of the 
vocal cords. To dissipate any doubt in regard to the exist- 
ence of pulmonary disease, the patient was thoroughly exam- 
ined by Dr. Austin Flint, who pronounced the lungs to be in 
a healthy condition, and agreed as to the essentially nervous 
origin of the symptoms. 
In the treatment of the case by central galvanization, I was 
gratified to observe, after the first few tentative applications, 
an appreciable improvement in the character of the cough. 
Instead of that harsh and painful sound resulting as we be- 
lieved from the exceedingly tense condition of the vocal cords, 
the cough assumed a softer or looser character and was much 
less disturbing; this we conceived depended on the decreased 
local spasmodic action. Freed from wearisome details, the 
subsequent history of the case is included in the simple state- 
ment that the patient improved from time to time, until, after 
two months of treatment, and the administration of some 
thirty-five applications, the recovery was perfect. 
It is interesting to note that she has been afflicted by no 
return of the sick-lieadaclies from which she had so constantly 
suffered, before it was swallowed up in this last attack. 
The following case, although it seemed for a time to defy 
all attempts at permanent relief, and at last yielded with un- 
usual reluctance, may certainly be regarded, taking into con- 
sideration the seeming hopelessness of the symptoms, as the 
best result of central galvanization in spinal irritation and con- 
gestion that I have witnessed. I say spinal irritation and 
congestion, because the symptoms that are supposed to be 
pathognomonic of one or the other of these conditions are, in 13 
CENTRAL GALVANIZATION. 
the course of an ordinary clinical experience, so frequently 
observed to mingle, or as it were to overlap and run into each 
other, that it is impossible in these cases to decide that either 
irritation or congestion alone exists as a distinct disease of the 
cord. 
Spinal Irritation and Congestion in its most Severe Form, and 
of Several Years' Duration.—Permanent and Perfect Re- 
covery follows General Faradization and Central Galvani- 
zation. 
Case III.—Miss II., a young lady of twenty-five, was 
placed under my care by Dr. J. 0. Halsey of Brooklyn. The 
most marked symptoms were, on the one hand, an excessive 
tenderness at various points of the spine, from the upper cer- 
vical to the lumbar region, neuralgic pains in the abdomen 
and extremities, nausea and spasmodic cough with palpitation, 
and on the other tingling and numbness in the fingers and 
toes, with an inability to freely use the legs, that simulated an 
incomplete paraplegia. The first-named symptoms pointed 
to irritation, Avhile the latter indicated congestion of the cord, 
and, viewing them as a -whole, it seemed evident that both 
conditions were present. The patient was utterly incapaci- 
tated for the slightest exertion, either mental or physical, and 
for several years existence had proved a burden to be borne 
with fortitude, rather than a joy to be loved and cherished. 
It may be said that she had never been robust, but from 
childhood had suffered from palpitation and shortness of 
breath, that indicated a point in the upper spinal tract that 
might at any time prove vulnerable to either physical or 
mental influences. In this unfortunate case, every thing in 
the way of the usual and accepted methods of treatment had 
been tried, and had utterly failed, and by the advice of the 
late Dr. H. D. Bulkley, Dr. Halsey decided to try electriza- 
tion, and requested me to take charge of the patient. She 
was first submitted to the tonic influence of general faradiza- 
tion, and with such decided benefit that, after some fifteen ap- 
plications, most of her symptoms decreased in severity, and 
she was able to ascend the stairs and walk two or three blocks 
with comparative comfort. More than this, general faradiza- 14 
CENTRAL GALVANIZATION. 
tion on further trial failed to accomplish. I then resorted to 
exceedingly mild galvanization of the whole length of the 
spinal cord, and with immediate beneficial results. The 
tenderness along the spine gradually decreased, until it alto- 
gether disappeared. The nausea and neuralgic pains, tingling 
and numbness in the extremities, slowly but surely became 
less marked, the limbs became strong, until finally the patient 
fully recovered, and with more strength and vigor than she 
had ever had. 
Sacral Neuralgia, associated with Ilypercesthesia from the 
Waist downward, and with Tonic Muscular Contractions 
of one Leg. 
Case IV.—At the request of Dr. Fisher we called on Mrs. 
M. (the wife of a physician), who for many months had been 
an inmate of the private hospital of Dr. Charles F. Taylor. 
We found her in bed, utterly unable to assist herself to any 
extent, and with a deep-seated expression that indicated a con- 
dition of constant pain and anxiety. On examination, we 
found the limbs somewhat wasted, and one of them perma- 
nently drawn up by gradually-developed muscular contrac- 
tions. The most marked feature of her disease, however, was 
a condition of excessive hypersesthesia extending from her 
waist downward. Not only was the patient unable to move 
her lower limbs, or to have another move them, without expe- 
riencing the most horrible pains, but around the waist and 
hips, and over the abdomen, she shrank from the slightest 
touch. Dr. T. Gaillard Thomas, under whose special care she 
was, and who had treated her for uterine difficulty, regarded 
the case as one of neuralgia of the sacral nerves, and, in the 
hope of affording relief, had removed the coccyx. It proved 
to be of no service, and all methods for her relief seemed un- 
availing. We began treatment March 5, 1871, by administer- 
ing an exceedingly mild and fine faradic current to the neck, 
spine, and abdomen. Indeed, the current was so weak as to 
be hardly appreciable to the patient. 
These applications were repeated some four or five times a 
week, with a gradually-increasing strength of current, and in 
the course of a month the hypersesthesia had been so far re- CENTRAL GALVANIZATION. 
15 
lieved tliat the hand could he pressed upon the body with a 
considerable degree of firmness, and passed all over the body 
without causing pain. The pains that were continually 
shooting down the limbs were not appreciably relieved until 
after we resorted to central galvanization, i. e., galvanization 
of the lumbar and sacral regions of the cord. 
This method, persevered with, dissipated the remainder of 
the hypersesthesia, which had hung fire under local faradiza- 
tion, and very greatly relieved the neuralgic pains in the 
limbs. 
The patient was now able to sit up in bed, and the dis- 
tressed expression of countenance had given place to an ap- 
pearance of hope and even cheerfulness. At this stage, Dr. 
Fisher, on days when electricity was not administered, began 
to accustom her to the use of crutches, gradually lengthening 
them as she was able to increase the number of steps. At 
first, she was able to take but two or three steps, but in six 
weeks or two months she could not only move about her 
room and the halls for half an hour at a time, but on several 
occasions with assistance went to the top of the stairs and re- 
turned. 
At one time she suffered a relapse, and was compelled to 
submit again to local treatment at the hands of Dr. Moses, but 
from this she rallied, and after having been in various ways 
treated for a year, she was sufficiently recovered to be able to 
undertake a long journey to her home. She there continued 
to improve with great rapidity, until she was able to attend 
with ease to her household duties, and in every sense was 
quite well. In this case it was the faradic current that first 
relieved the hypersesthesia, but, after it had accomplished all 
that it was possible for it to do, galvanization of the spinal 
cord dissipated the remaining sensitiveness, relieved the neu- 
ralgic pains, and rendered possible the efficient assistance of 
Drs. Fisher and Moses, which aided so greatly in the recovery 
of this supposed hopeless case. 
Cerebral Congestion associated with Vertigo and Numbness 
of the Left Side.—Symptoms aggravated by Faradization. 
Recovery under Central Galvanization. 
Case V.—Mrs. II. was directed to us by Dr. A. Bray ton 16 
CENTRAL GALVANIZATION. 
Ball, to be treated for symptoms of cerebral congestion. Iler 
general condition was much below par, and her menstruation, 
though regular, was painful and prolonged from eight to ten 
days. Severe headaches were frequent, and for two years she 
had suffered from decided numbness of the whole left side suf- 
ficient to prevent much labor or exercise. Faradization, both 
general and local, was essayed without good effect; indeed, 
the numbness and vertigo were decidedly aggravated. Tlie 
second application, three days subsequently, was made with 
a current generated from four zinc carbon-cells. The positive 
pole was applied to the top of the head, and the negative im- 
mediately below the sternum. A slight increase of numbness 
was observed even from the weak current used, but, in a few 
hours, this effect passed away leaving hardly a trace of the 
usual anaesthesia. This treatment was continued, at intervals 
of several days, for over a month, during which time she was 
annoyed but little if any by either vertigo or numbness. 
Numbness of the Extremities, with Distressing IIeat of Head, 
etc.—Mild Central Galvanization aggravates the Head- 
symptoms.—General Faradization is followed by decided 
Belief. 
Case YI.—On February 10, 1872, I was called to Mrs. P., 
who was under the professional care of Dr. Thomas Sabine. 
For several years the patient had been an invalid, suffering 
from ulceration and displacement of the womb. She was of a 
decidedly nervous organization, exquisitely sensitive to all ex- 
ternal impressions, and yet her general appearance, so far as 
regards color, flesh, and expression, was indicative of a fair 
degree of health. There was great pain and tenderness over 
the left ovarian region, while at short intervals severe parox- 
ysms of neuralgia, seated in the head and left shoulder, occa- 
sioned much distress. The attendant symptoms, however, 
which more especially interest us at this time, were the con- 
stant burning at the top of the head, and an annoying numb- 
ness of the extremities. The heat of head was so great that 
she felt obliged on nearly all occasions to wear cloths dipped 
in ice-water. I at first made use of the galvanic current pass- 
ing through the brain and sympathetic, a current from but (TENTHA L G ALV AXIZATIOX. 
17 
four ordinary-sized zinc carbon-cells. The effect was most 
unpleasant, since there immediately followed a decided in- 
crease in the sense of numbness and heat, which did not abate 
under twenty-four hours. I now, by means of the moistened 
hand, applied, to all portions of the head and neck, a mild 
faradic current, extending the applications through sponges to 
the entire surface of the body. 
A few such sea/nces not only relieved the neuralgia of the 
head and coldness and numbness of the extremities, but in a 
great measure dissipated the distressing heat of head from 
which she so constantly suffered. 
How can wre account for the diametrically opposite effects 
of the currents in this and in the foregoing case ? The expla- 
nation seems sufficiently easy. In the first instance cerebral 
congestion undoubtedly existed. The constant current was 
successfully operative, since it alone has power to penetrate to 
the brain, and to directly influence the circulation through the 
vaso-motor system of nerves. 
In the second case it was evident that there was no marked 
disturbance of the circulation. 
Most of her symptoms seemed dependent on a generally 
liypersesthetic condition, which was aggravated when the sen- 
sitive central organs were submitted to the direct influence of 
galvanization, while the faradic current, bv its well-known 
soothing and tonic effect on the peripheral nerves, and possibly 
by a gentle reflex influence on the brain and spinal cord, was 
speedily beneficial. 
General Chorea, with Inability of the Patient to walk, feed 
himself ’ or distinctly speak.—Recovery tender Central 
Galvanization, after the Failure of General Faradiza- 
tion and Medication. 
Case YII.—Master S., a little boy about ten years old, 
came to ns through Dr. J. (). Farrington. 
The patient had for sometime suffered from general chorea 
of a decided character, but during the last few weeks it had so 
increased in severity that he was unable to walk or even feed 
himself. All his extremities as well as the face were in con- 
stant motion; his utterance was indistinct, and in weight he 
had decreased very much. There was no hereditary tendency 18 
CENTRAL GALVANIZATION. 
of this character in the family, and the only cause to which 
the symptoms could plausibly be attributed was a fall from 
a horse, which severely jarred him, some weeks before the dis- 
ease manifested itself. 
The treatment was varied. Fowler’s solution and certain 
other remedies, which I do not now recall, had been faithfully 
tried, but without benefit. We began with mild general fara- 
dization, but, as the results did not accord with our expecta- 
tions, we abandoned it and essayed very gentle central gal- 
vanization. 
During the first week of this treatment no appreciable bene- 
fit seemed to be derived, without it was an improvement in 
sleep. 
Soon after this, however, the effect observed was decided. 
His appetite became better, resulting naturally in increased 
weight; coordination of movement rapidly became possible, 
the utterance distinct, and in a few weeks recovery was com- 
plete. 
Treatment was discontinued in February, 1871, and to this 
date there has been no evidence of a return of the disease. 
Chorea, of Ten Months’ Standing, of the Left Side and Right 
Arm, in a Girl of Eleven.—Recovery in Ten Weeks under 
Central Galvanization. 
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a few weeks the member was quite useless. In two or three 
months the left leg became choreic, and soon after the dis- 
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which obstinately resist ordinary internal medication, and 
was hence considered a fair opportunity to test the virtues 
of central galvanization. The treatment was given every 
other day, but for three weeks no apparent impression was 
made upon the disease. 
During the fourth week the symptoms somewhat abated, 
and from this time forth the improvement was uninterrupted, 
until, in ten weeks from the beginning of the treatment, re- 
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