Van Deusen/Kosinski Collection


operations; and the shock will accelerate its operation. These precautions being had, proceed in the first instance to take off the tension in the lower extremities in the first place, by passing shocks from about the hips to the feet obliquely, that is, from the right hip to the left foot, keeping the legs apart. If it be a strong constitution, and not a woman pregnant, the shocks may be passed in this direction very strongly, or so strong that the patient may perceive the motion of the shock nearly the whole distance, that is, from one chain or wire to the other, or from the hips to the feet; six or eight shocks being passed in that direction, shift the chains contrariwise, and pass as many down the opposite side.

This operation is performed with all safety, and will soon abate the action in the whole system; by enlarging the diameters of the vessels in the lower extremities, and opening the pores, the blood will incline towards this relieved part, and ease the head of pain, and in a little time will recover from delirium. It is very expedient to conjoin with this operation woolen or flannel clothes, dipped in hot water, and wrapped about the feet. It helps greatly to promote perspiration; and when the shock is applied to the whole body, it is useful to dip a fire-brand in water, and, with flannel wrapped round it, apply it to the patient's back or sides. The patient must also drink freely of some hot, fermenting herb tea, till a free perspiration is induced. Wait, if you have leisure, fifteen or twenty minutes after the first operation; then proceed to pass eight or ten shocks from the right hand to the left, so strongly that the patient may perceive the motion of the shock in the shoulders or above the elbows, or perhaps in the breast, if there should be no particular weakness there, which is sometimes the case, and might receive injury by too strong a shock on the part. Indeed, whenever you take a new direction of the shocks, the first should, in all cases, be light; and as you increase their strength, you must do it by consulting your patient's sensation of the shock; and take care not to wound any particular part by an over-action of the shock, nor reduce your patient too fast, nor too low. Also, trembling and faintness sometimes occur, especially on the first electrifications: all which occurrences and circumstances must be looked for and observed, and remedied - sometimes by desisting the shock for a time - sometimes by an internal stimulus, &c. &c.

After eight or ten are passed in the above direction, let twelve or fifteen be passed from the sides of the neck to the bottom of the feet, of about the same strength as the former; of which you will be able to judge by your electrometer, which I have described, (vide chap. 1, page 27-28) where it is said that the distention of the balls is in proportion to the degree of the charge, &c. It is necessary that

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FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Title page
2 Preface
13 Chapter 1 - Animal and Vegetable Electricity
26 Chapter 1 - Astronomical
70 Chapter 2 - Of the Conductors
   97 Chapter 3  [Medical Conditions]   People and Links   Theory Links
97 People 97 Links 97 Fever
108 Peripneumony 171 Cholic 210 Involuntary motion
      of the eyelids
111 Pleurisy 174 Asthma 210 Hemmorage
114 St. Anthony's Fire 176 Diabetes 217 Hemorroids
115 Inflammatory Rheumatism 178 Urine suppressed,
  bloody and hot
217 Ulcers and Abcesses
115 Inflammatory Sore Throat 182 Menses obstructed 220 Rickets
122 Madness 185 King's Evil 221 Locked Jaw or Joints
131 Ague 186 Cancers 224 Bruises
138 St. Vitus's Dance 194 Quincy 229 Nerves contracted
140 Hysterics 195 Head-ache 230 Sprain or Strain
144 Epilepsy 196 Deafness 231 Felon or Whitlow
149 Consumption 197 Inflammatory Eyes 231 Pains in different parts
153 Palsy 197 Film 232 Wounds, etc.
158 Dropsy 199 Gutta Serena 234 Drowning
164 Gout 207 Cataract 237 Suppressed Perspiration
166 Dysentery 209 Fistula Lachrymalis 237 Burns and Scalds
242 Chapter 4  [Equipment]   Equipment Links
277 Thoughts on the Times
INDEX
Electricity, or Ethereal Fire, Considered is presented here for historical purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice.





        
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