Van Deusen/Kosinski Collection


cold, as a cold northern wind, when it falls upn any part of the naked surface of the body, and is luminous. I have blown it upon a burn from a hot iron; and it hath immediately eradicated the fire from the part. I have used it on the eyes, when sore, and having a sensation of being filled with sand; and it gives relief in one minute.

I have never used it upon a cancer that was corroded, nor on any other; though, from its effects on sores, I think it may answer a valuable purpose: but inasmuch as the part must be uncovered, in order to make the application, it must be done in a warm, very warm room, especially if it be within a few days of the person's taking shocks, or else they will take cold by being uncovered.

The manner of performing the operation is thus: Take a metallic rod, or the largest kind of wire; let one end be brought to a point, and the other end, by a hook, connected to the prime conductor: the pointed end must be brought within an inch, or two inches, of the part on which the aura is to be diffused. If the operation is to be made on the eye, great care must be had that the point is not struck into the eye: the person's head must be steadied by a careful hand, and spectators kept at a distance from the operator. It will often make a person sneeze; on which occasion they must be cautioned to throw their heads on one side of the pointed instrument. When this is blown upon the eye, it will cause the lachrymal to discharge freely; this is supposed to be done by the astringency of the aura, in contracting the parts.

It may be observed, that the aura is not an expansion of elementary fire, but so great a density, as to render it cold; which is one reason of my supposing cold to consist in a density of elementary fire.

After the body of humours in a cancer is sufficiently diffused, I think it is probable that the aura, diffused freely upon the part, must contribute considerably in cleansing and healing the sore.

The aural diffusion is kept up by a continual turning of the cylinder, or constant promotion of friction. The machine should be large: Best of all to be carried by water-works.

A cancer that is thoroughly formed, and virulent, will require some months to complete a cure; wherefore, much patience must be exercised by the operator, as well as by the patient.

N. B. I should have mentioned, that the pointed end of the aural rod (for so I call it) must be supported by a goose-quill, either bent round the rod, or the rod inserted through the end of the quill, a waxed thread being first drawn lightly round the end of the quill, to prevent splitting quite to the end. The fire, or effluvia, will not pass off upon the quill; and

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FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Title page
2 Preface
13 Animal and Vegetable Electricity
15 Chapter 1 - Electric fire promotes the vegetable life, etc.
70 Chapter 2 - Of the Conductors
   97 Chapter 3 - Fever  [Medical Conditions]
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]
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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