of any other
symptom whatsoever pointing to irritation of the pneumogastric
or spinal accessory, I was justified in excluding this as the
possible cause of the cardiac infrequency. On the other hand,
the pathogenetic manifestations appeared all to point to
"asthenia of the sympathetic"--at any rate the portion of this
whence the cardiac nerves take their origin, and I formed my
diagnosis accordingly. In the beginning, the treatment consisted
of bilateral ascending (from cilio-spinal centre to both mastoid
fossae) galvanizations of the sympathetic, and galvanic baths
(head electrode negative, surface board positive, to
epigastrium) on alternate days. Improvement in every respect was
steady, though not rapid. At the end of three weeks, I
supplemented this treatment by the administration of ergotin and
nux vomica. At the expiration of two more weeks, the patient
being nearly recovered, I discontinued these medicaments,
substituting the valerianates of zinc and iron, and steadily
maintaining meanwhile the electrical treatment as above
indicated. After a short time recovery appeared complete, and
patient was discharged from treatment. He returned however a few
months subsequently, complaining of "faint spells" in the
mornings, accompanied with excessive nervousness, and a renewed
though moderate cardiac infrequency. Electrical treatment,
similar to that above described, soon restored him. One or two
more slight relapses occurred during the next six months. For
over a year past however Mr. S. has been in the enjoyment of
perfect and undisturbed health. His normal pulse ranges from 72
to 80.

Whoever is familiar with the physiological effects of electric baths,
will readily concede their great utility in a variety of conditions that
I have not thus far specially alluded to. Of such I would mention
ASTHENIAE, ATONIC AND DEBILITATED CONDITIONS GENERALLY, including the
state of CONVALESCENCE FROM ACUTE DISEASES and the DECLINE OF ADVANCING
AGE; many cases of CHRONIC HEADACHE; some INCLASSIFIABLE CONDITIONS OF
MARASMUS and MALNUTRITION, etc., etc. In all such cases, when purely
functional and uncomplicated by incurable organic disease, good results
may be confidently looked for.

* * * * *

With these remarks I conclude my subject. Whichever the errors that a
too limited experience may hav