, irregular and disturbed sleep,
occasional local congestions, with vague, usually slight pains here and
there, etc., etc. Where organic cardiac disease is at the bottom of the
trouble, we cannot of course expect much permanent improvement. Although
even here considerable relief is often afforded while the baths are
being used, their discontinuance will in all probability be soon
followed by a return of the former condition. Where, however, cases are
not complicated by organic disease, where we have a "sluggishness" of
the circulation, due either to vasomotor inertia or atony of the
muscular coats of vessels, the electric bath will be found reliably
efficient. I have already (p. 55) alluded to this subject, and explained
the probable "mode of action" here of the baths. I will now offer some
suggestions as to the best method of administering them with a view to
equalizing the circulation.

We must here seek to stimulate the vasomotor system, both central and
peripheral; to give tone to the coats of vessels, both by direct and
indirect electric influence; through counter-irritation to relieve
internal congestions, by causing an afflux of blood to the skin. These
objects are best attained by means of the galvanic current, which should
be employed of sufficient intensity to produce a rubefacient effect. The
faradic current acts in the same direction, but far less energetically,
if we except the vessels near the surface, the muscular coats of which
are probably more efficiently tonicised by this than by the constant
current. The faradic current however is applicable here in another way,
and for a very important object. I refer to the _mechanical_
counter-action of a sluggish circulation, through the agency of
prolonged muscular contraction. This mechanical effect is not of course
peculiar to the faradic current; it is shared by gymnastic and other
exercises; but obtained in any other way whatsoever (with the exception,
perhaps, of _massage_, which is however much more troublesome as well
as inferior, and moreover not always admissible) it involves, in order
to produce perfect results, a considerable amount of bodily exertion,
often beyond the physical power of persons who are in ill health, and
bringing with it the risk of positive injury, through over-exertion,
which with the _passive_ contractions obtained by means of the faradic
current, is entirely obviated. By administering the _general_ faradic
current in the bath, of