ON SOME OF THE USES 
OF 
Galvanic and Faradic Baths. 
BY 
GEORGE M. SCHWEIG, M.D., 
MEMBER OP THE N. Y. COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
From “ TnE Medical Record” of December 15t?i. 1874. 
NEW YORK: 
JOHN E. TROW <fc SON, PRINTERS, 
1874. SOME OE THE USES 
ON 
GALVANIC AND FARADIC BATHS. 
By GEORGE M. SCHWEIG, M.D., 
OF 
NEW YORK. 
I deem it the duty of every physician whom circum- 
stances afford the opportunity of making observations 
that possess physiological or therapeutic value, to lay 
before his colleagues not only the facts as they have 
presented themselves to him, but also his views relative 
to these, in order that from a multitude of opinions 
may be culled, in the course of time, the truths which 
are destined to become scientific facts and principles. 
This seems to me peculiarly requisite where the physio- 
logical and therapeutic effects of a new or recent 
method are involved, to bring which to' its proper 
worth and standard is as desirable in the interests of 
science as in those of humanity. 
I have had for the last year, and still continue to 
have, occasion daily to supervise the administration of 
electrical baths (both galvanic and faradic), and I now 
propose to lay before the profession the outlines of some 2 
cases illustrative of their therapeutic value. These 
cases are by no means especially interesting in them- 
selves. Even if I had cited such, I could not in this 
connection have afforded them their merited space. 
If, therefore, my description of cases should appear to 
some incomplete and superficial, I beg to say to these 
that I have not made even an attempt to individualize 
any case, but have cited each one only to serve as an 
illustration of the effects of a remedy. 
I must for the present refrain from a consideration 
of the physiological effects of the baths, my experi- 
ence being as yet too limited to serve as a basis for the 
grounding of physiological facts. 
Case I. Rheumatism.—Mr. F., from the practice of 
Dr. Alexander Murray, about thirty-two years of age, 
of robust appearance, large, vigorous frame, had an at- 
tack of acute inflammatory rheumatism in the spring 
of 1873, from which he recovered in a short time. In 
the winter of 1874 he experienced a second attack, for 
which he had had treatment for about two months prior 
to coming under Dr. M.’s care. After treating him by 
other methods, including local galvanic applications 
to the affected parts (joints as well as muscles were 
involved),# for two weeks, Dr. M. sent patient to take 
electrical baths. On May 25th Mr. F. was brought in 
a carriage. He was not able to walk, and had to be 
assisted up the steps by two attendants. His arms 
were in a scarcely better condition, the wrist-joints 
especially being exceedingly painful and tender. The 
first and second baths, administered respectively on 3 
May 25th and 29th, did not effect much change in his 
condition. The third hath was taken on May 30th, 
with the happiest results. On June 1st patient was 
able to come for his fourth bath alone and on foot, 
and thenceforth his recovery was very rapid. The 
seventh bath, taken June '7th, left him perfectly cured, 
not a trace of the disease remaining. He has been 
free from rheumatism since. In the first three baths 
the galvanic current was employed exclusively, the 
muscles and tendons being in too tender a condition 
to bear the contractions induced by strong faradic cur- 
rents. In the subsequent baths both currents were 
used, according to indications. 
Case II. Constipation.—Emil Miller, a bright child 
two years of age, was brought July 7th, 1874. He 
had suffered from obstinate constipation almost from 
his birth. Had been under the care of several phy- 
sicians, but had never received any benefit from treat- 
ment. Even with the aid of powerful cathartics, 
given in doses suitable for an adult rather than a child, 
defecation took place only once in every three or four 
days, and was so exceedingly painful as to elicit cries 
of pain from the child, who had to be forced to the 
chamber on every one of these occasions. The faeces 
were always hard and lumpy, and lighter in color than 
normal. A digital examination per rectum revealed 
considerable flaccidity. My diagnosis was, paresis of 
the muscularis of the intestine. I ordered faradic baths. 
I preferred these to local faradization for several rea- 
sons, to elucidate which would occupy too much space 4 
here. On July 12th the first bath was administered, 
and I must confess that the result was a perfect sur- 
prise to me. True, I had expected a cure to take 
place; but I looked for gradual improvement, and was 
not prepared for a result such as was here obtained. 
From the time the first hath was taken, defecation took 
place regularly once a day, without pain ; the faeces be- 
came perfectly normal in color and consistency, and the 
hoy has to the present day defecated regularly and nor- 
mally in every respect. To insure permanency, however, 
the baths were at first continued about twice a week,then 
once a week, but have now been discontinued for some 
time. No other therapeutic measures, either internal 
or external, were resorted to in this case, neither was 
there any change made in the diet of the child. 
Case III. Mercurial Stomatitis.—Mr. S., about thirty- 
five years of age, came to me for treatment in the fall 
of 1872. He then had indurated chancre, two buboes, 
and syphilitic sore throat. He had had the chancre 
for six weeks before applying to me, but was, as lie 
said, ashamed to consult a physician. Before medi- 
cation had had time to make any impression on his 
system, roseola appeared. The syphilis was very ob- 
stinate in this patient, compelling me to keep him 
under the influence of mercury for a long time. In Oc- 
tober, 1873, the patient presented himself to me with a 
very aggravated mercurial stomatitis. The usual rem- 
edies, both internal and local, made little or no im- 
pression on the affection. On November 11th I ad- 
vised patient to discontinue all other measures, and 5 
try a course of galvanic baths. He took his first bath 
on the same day. This was repeated every other day 
until six baths had been taken, when all symptoms of 
the disease had disappeared. The descending galvanic 
current was used throughout. 
Case IV. Locomotor Ataxia.—Mr. W. , set. 
forty-eight, came to consult me January 12th, 
1874. He had then felt the symptoms of locomotor 
ataxia for about six years. Had been unable for 
several years to walk without the aid of a cane. 
When walking he dragged his right leg along in a 
semicircle, and was able to accomplish very short dis- 
tances only. There were almost complete anaesthesia 
and great paresis of the bladder. The same condi- 
tions were observable in regard to the bowels. Anaes- 
thesia of both lower extremities existed, complete in 
every respect in the right leg, almost so in the left. 
Dyspepsia and general debility and emaciation accom- 
panied the disease. Treatment was begun on January 
15th. I prescribed phosphorus and cod-liver oil, and 
passed a strong galvanic current through the spine for 
probably ten minutes. January 16tli, a galvanic bath 
was administered. Towards the close of the bath 
(which occupied twenty minutes) patient thought he 
felt some sensation in his legs. The baths wrere taken 
every two or three days, alternating with strong gal- 
vanizations of the spine. While taking his second 
bath, patient remarked that “ his right leg felt warm 
for the first time in six years.” The treatment as de- 
scribed was continued for about six weeks, during the 6 
latter part of which the local applications were grad- 
ually diminished in frequency, the baths being con- 
tinued regularly. Medication was discontinued about 
this time. About the middle of March Mr. W. was 
enabled to resume his occupation (paymaster’s assist- 
ant on Erie Railway). Ilis improvement had been 
rapid and steady. All the symptoms gradually dis- 
appeared, and in the beginning of April the patient 
was, with the exception of some feebleness consequent 
on his protracted illness, as well as ever. He continues 
so to the present day. He still takes two or three baths 
a month, but has had no other treatment since May. 
He walks freely without a cane, and talks jocosely of 
running foot-races. All functions are performed nor- 
mally. 
Although in this case the baths were not employed 
exclusively, yet they predominated in the treatment; 
and if the judgment of the patient, a very intelligent 
gentleman, is to be relied on, a large share of the suc- 
cess is due to the baths. 
Case Y. Rheumatism.—Mr. B—y, set. twenty-two, 
came for treatment on August 27th, 1874. Had sub- 
acute rheumatism, with considerable swelling of ankle- 
joints. The acute attack dated back six weeks. Lo- 
comotion was very painful, and could be accomplished 
only with the aid of a cane. A galvanic bath on the 
27th, and one on the 28tli of August were sufficient 
to remove both swelling and pain, enabling the patient 
to resume his avocation. 
Case YI. Mercurio-Syphilitic Cachexia.—Mr. L., set, 7 
twenty-seven, had primary syphilis about four years 
ago. Subsequently had inveterate constitutional symp- 
toms, for which he was under medical treatment both 
here and in Europe. When he had sojourned in the 
latter country some time, he was pronounced cured by 
his physicians. He married, and returned to this coun- 
try in the fall of 1872. A few weeks after his return he 
fell into a gradual decline, which confined him to the 
house—and part of the time to bed—for eight months, 
during the latter portion of which he had discontinued 
all medical treatment. It was with difficulty that, 
assisted by his wife, he managed to reach my office. 
I found him terribly enfeebled; greatly emaciated; 
sallow complexion. He was much annoyed by rheu- 
matic pains, which I considered specific. His condi- 
tion was so exceedingly low that I decided to post- 
pone all medication until he should be stronger. I 
ordered galvano-faradic baths, i.e., the galvanic cur- 
rent in the bath as an eliminative, the faradic as a tonic. 
The first bath was taken on November 20th, 1873. 
For one month he took the baths, and nothing else. 
He was then so much stronger that I felt justified in 
instituting a mild specific course of treatment, the 
baths being contiiiued as theretofore. At the end of 
two months the patient was nearly as strong as ever, 
was able to resume his occupation, and had gained 
twenty-seven pounds in weight. 
Case YII. Chorea.—Hugh O—1, set. twelve, from 
the practice of Dr. J. O. Farrington; one of the severest 
cases of chorea I have ever seen ; had been afflicted four 8 
years. Was sent February 5th to take electrical baths. 
Between that date and March 23d, took seventeen baths, 
steadily improving. Internal medication was attended 
to by Dr. F. The boy made a complete recovery. 
Case VIII. Impotency.—Mr. F., from the practice of 
Dr. Caro, a robust gentleman, net. thirty-six, full of 
muscular vigor. Had had syphilis, the symptoms of 
which had disappeared under Dr. C.’s treatment. 
For two years the power of erection, as well as sexual 
appetite, had become extinct, if we except an oc- 
casional imperfect spontaneous erection on waking up 
in the morning, and even this was of rare occurrence. 
Ordinary medication proving inadequate, Dr. C- sent 
patient to take electrical baths. From March 7th to 
July 16th Mr. F. used the baths, averaging about two 
weekly. He was then, and still remains, perfectly re- 
stored. 
Case IX. Hysteria.—Mrs. A., from the practice of 
Dr. Kremer, set. 28, married, sterile, was sent by Dr. 
K. to take baths on June 12th, 1874. Intense pruritus, 
transient flushing and heat of the entire surface, with 
pricking sensations and headache, were the more prom- 
inent symptoms. Six galvano-faradic baths effected 
a complete and permanent cure. 
Case X. Specific Synovitis of Knee-joint, with con- 
siderable Effusion in and around Joint.—Mr. C., from 
the practice of Dr. Sheppard, set. about 85. First saw 
patient at his house on Nov. 9th, 1873, in consultation 
with Dr. S. and Dr. Hutchinson, of Providence, R. I. 
Had been on mercury and iodide of potassium for a 9 
long time. When I first saw him, he had been incapaci- 
tated from work for about a year. Had been unable to 
leave the house for three months. The affected 
joint was very much enlarged, with little or no motil- 
ity, the condition being practically the same as true 
anchylosis. It was decided to substitute tonics for 
the specific treatment, and to administer galvanic 
baths. On Nov. 11th the first bath was administered ; 
another on the loth, and a third on the 19th. Con- 
siderable improvement in motility wTas then apparent. 
Two more baths, taken respectively on the 22d and 
29tli, effected some reduction in the size of the knee. 
The baths were continued to January 3d, 1874, when 
the effusion had become almost entirely absorbed, and 
the joint perfectly mobile. The patient then had 
been for some time taking daily walks, unassisted. 
He now (Jan. 3d) walks without any difficulty, 
has regained his normal vigoi-, and is practically 
well. 
Case XI. General Neurasthenia of a Hysteric 
Type—Mrs. E., from the practice of Dr. Krehbiel, set. 
about 28, married, of an exceedingly nervous temper- 
ament, had suffered from great nervous irritability 
and prostration since her last confinement (about a 
year previous). Was sent by her physician to take 
galvanic baths, April 21st, 1874. Cases of this kind 
are too familiar to every physician to render a de- 
tailed description of the symptoms desirable. Six 
galvano-faradic baths restored her to perfect health. 
Case XII. Sub-hemiplegia from Cerebral Hemor- 10 
rhage.—Mrs. S., set. 30, married, from the practice of 
Dr. Krehbiel, was sent by Dr. K. to take baths July 
3d, 1.874. It was a routine case, differing in no re- 
spect from what is ordinarily ol(served as a sequence 
of cerebral hemorrhage. Six baths, taken at intervals 
of two and three days, restored almost entirely the 
muscular power of the affected side. 
I have taken the above twelve cases at random from 
a large number of which I have notes. I have not in- 
cluded among them any case of neurosis of the sym- 
pathetic, although I have had occasion to observe and 
to treat, by electrical baths and otherwise, a large 
number of affections of the sympathetic system, with 
very satisfactory results. I have purposely omitted 
these cases, because I felt that I could not do them 
justice in this connection. They possess sufficient 
pathological interest to entitle them to especial indi- 
vidual consideration, and for this I reserve them. I 
will merely state that I have met with affections of 
the sympathetic much more frequently than I could 
have been led to anticipate from any books or statis- 
tics on the subject. I will state here also, that in all 
forms of agrypnia I have found electrical baths supe- 
rior to any hypnotic of the materia medica. 
A word on the mode of action of electrical baths. 
I have been asked repeatedly by physicians, in what 
respect these baths differ from “ general electrization ” 
—galvanization or faradization, as may be the case. 
I have never had any difficulty in convincing any one 11 
who asked me this question, not only that there is a 
vast difference between electrical baths, properly ad- 
ministered, and general electrization, but that electrical 
baths are the only real general electrization, what has 
been known under that name being neither more nor 
less than alternate local electrization. A moment’s re- 
flection will make it apparent that general electriza- 
tion, as expressive of electrical baths, and alternate lo- 
cal electrization, as expressive of methods advanced 
under the title of “general faradization,” etc., must 
differ vastly in their effects. A process by which the 
galvanic current is made to impinge simultaneously 
on all the peripheral endings of nerves, must have re- 
flex effects that can never be obtained from a like in- 
fluence brought to bear within the domain of a single 
nerve only, or even several. Again, where every 
organ in the body (excepting of course the head and 
face) is traversed at one and the same time by the gal- 
vanic current, an alterative effect is obtained that is 
unapproaclied by any other remedy or method that I 
know of. By the use of the faradic current in the 
baths, in place of single muscles, or at best a group of 
muscles, being affected, as is the case in local faradiza- 
tion, all or nearly all the muscles of the body can be 
brought into action at one and the same time, or the 
action of the current can be limited to certain of the 
extremities, the entire abdomen, etc., ad libitum. It 
is scarcely necessary for me to adduce further facts in 
order to show that the two procedures are anything 
but identical. No one can be more appreciative than 12 
myself of the therapeutic value of the methods the ap- 
pellation of which I object to, or more ready to con- 
cede the advantages they possess. But to call “ gene- 
ral” that which is “local,” is an etymological incon- 
gruity which is the more to be deprecated when per- 
mitted to creep into the nomenclature of a science 
where exactitude is one of the first desiderata. 
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