similar with the other; only I have given a greater number of shocks through the abdomen than any other part, but did not neglect to pass more or less shocks in all parts, especially on several of the first days of electrifying.

In electrifying for the dropsy, I have generally given from forty to one hundred light shocks in one day; but after five or six days, have reduced the number gradually. But it must be remembered, that in all cases of electrifying, the age and strength of the patient must be consulted; and further, that in all my prescriptions, I have had invariable respect to adults.

N. B. I restored three of the anasarsa at Ballston pool, while they continued the use of the water internally, and it proved a great assistant to the electric shock. The fixed air, contained in the water, being rarified by the action of frictional heat, promoted by the gentle shocks in great numbers, rendered the fixed air more fermentative, and was evidently a great assistant in the reduction of the dropsy. Notwithstanding they had severally used the water several weeks, they were not apparently bettered by it. The same held true of electrifying for ulcers, tetters, scrofula, inflammations of a part, &c. the shocks being conjoined with the pool-water, wrought wonders in clarifying the blood of bad humours in a very short time, much shorter than was usual for electricity to effect the same cures with or without the assistance of any other means.

I should advise those, at least, who have an internal dropsy, and are disposed to have it treated by electricity, to use the pool-water at Ballston, at the same time; to drink very freely of the mineral, and then, by great numbers of light shocks, to rarify the fixed air taken in by the water. The shock will open all the natural evaculations, separate all coagulated, and accelerate and carry into the circulations any retained fluids. How much more fermentative the fixed air, being rarified; how much more power of operating agreeably upon the fluids, they being sufficiently attenuated, (Note 1) and how much more powerful in propelling humours, morbid affections, &c. towards the

Note 1:
It is this fixed air, received into the system by the mineral water, that produceth those effects so fatal to people in a consumption. The vessels being languid and obstructed in parts, in a great degree, cannot sustain the actions of the fixed air upon the vessels and the fluids in the vessels. The action of the air is not sufficient to attenuate their morbid contents, and so carry them off into the circulation, or else discharge them: but inasmuch as it rallies into action the less obstructed particles till they fall upon an immovable obstruction, they thereby augment the morbid redundancy upon those languid parts: the issue is, nature sinks under what it cannot support. But let the shocks be first given to clear those passages, and I apprehend no such danger. From similar causes, we may infer the presumption of immersing in cold water, and throwing the blood with a strong reflux upon weak and obstructed vitals - let such people escape the cold bath.

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