ctricity, however, may not
be so generally known; and I therefore feel justified in quoting here a
passage that bears directly on the subject, from a recent German work by
Dr. Hartmann[4] of Wiesbaden.

"The last question, whether mineral water acts also by contact
with the skin, leads us to one of its most important
effects--that through electricity.

"Although this question has not as yet been finally disposed of,
we have still advanced far toward its solution, through the
admirable researches of HEYMANN and KREBS. Both observers have
furnished proof that the contact of the water of the bath[5]
with the human body gives rise to electric currents, which
currents must be looked upon as being the excitors of the
nerve-currents, the body acting merely as a conductor. From
these experiments we conclude that no particular difference
obtains between artificial and transported waters on the one,
and natural waters on the other hand, the assertions of
SCOUTETTENS notwithstanding, who in regard to electricity
claimed to have found a difference between the artificial and
transported waters and the natural ones.

"We gather moreover from the experiments, that the electric
current generated through the contact of the body with the water
of the bath is modified chiefly by the gases, next by the
temperature of the water, and lastly only by its salts.

"The effects of the bath depend on the strength of the electric
current generated and on the condition of the peripheral endings
of the nerves; the effect may be stimulating or soothing. The
strength of the current is governed, as we have seen, by the
quantity of gases present, the temperature and the salts.
Ordinary lukewarm baths, indifferent baths containing a small
amount of gases, are less stimulating than mineral baths
containing a larger proportion of gases.

"With regard to the relative condition of the peripheral
nerve-ends, experiments on the motor nerves go to show that
swelling of the terminal ends of these nerves may diminish their
excitability to the point of its complete extinction, while it
becomes increased by their exsiccation. This fact as to the
motor nerves is adopted by HEYMANN likewise as applying to the
nerves of sensation. If, now, we presuppose absorption or even
imbibition on the part of the skin, a swelling of