circulation; as a general counter-irritant; as a general
invigorant and tonic--Its hypnotic and sedative influence--Its
improvement of nutrition--As a prophylactic 52

CHAPTER V.

SPECIAL THERAPEUTICS AND CLINICAL RECORD.

General directions--Special diseases--Acute rheumatism--Subacute
rheumatism--Chronic rheumatism--Cases of rheumatism--Chorea,
with cases--Hysterical affections, with cases--Neurasthenia,
with cases--Agrypnia, with cases--Anaemia, with case--Paralyses
and Pareses, with cases--Neuralgiae, with cases--Articular
effusions, with case--Impotency, with cases--Constipation, with
cases--Hydrargyrosis, with case--Locomotor ataxia, with
case--Cachexia, with case--Dyspepsia--Melancholia, with
case--Inequalities of the circulation--Affections of the
Sympathetic, with case--Miscellaneous conditions--Concluding
remarks 61

THE ELECTRIC BATH.

CHAPTER I.

THE APPARATUS.

To a proper comprehension of the succeeding chapters, it is necessary
first of all to be familiar with the apparatus employed in carrying out
electro-balneological treatment, and I therefore proceed to give a
description of this.[1] It may conveniently be divided as follows, viz.

_a._ The tub;

_b._ The electrodes and connections;

_c._ The water;

_d._ Chemicals;

_e._ The batteries.

(_a_) _The Tub._ This must be made of a non-conducting material. Of
substances that will answer, I will mention: wood, porcelain, soapstone,
vulcanized rubber, or glass. In choosing one of these materials, regard
should be had to the facility of attaching the electrodes. In this
respect wood deserves the preference over all the others mentioned.
Where economy is to be studied, it has a further item in its favor.

The tubs, which I have now in use for nearly three years are made of
wood, and I find them to answer very well. It must not be forgotten,
however, that a wooden tub requires to be well painted on the inside, in
order to prevent its becoming water-soaked, because in that event it
would become a conductor of electricity, and interfere to some extent,
with the administration of the electric current in the bath.

The shape and size of the tub may be the same as those of an ordinary
bath tub. To suit