tismus," Erlangen, 1874; pp. 194 et seq.]

[Footnote 5: The Author here refers to mineral-water. Dr. S.]

[Footnote 6: The Medical Use of Electricity, with special
reference to general electrization as a tonic, etc. New York,
1867.]

[Footnote 7: Beard and Rockwell; Medical and Surgical
Electricity. N. Y. 1875.]

[Footnote 8: Op. cit. pp. 253. et seq.]

CHAPTER IV.

GENERAL THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS AND USES.

The therapeutic uses of a remedy are based on what we know of its
physiological effects. Many--or rather most--of the therapeutic effects
of this as well as of most other remedies, correspond to certain
physiological effects. Those therapeutic effects whereto we find none
analogous among the physiological effects, are yet the results of the
physiological tendencies of the remedy, and where these tendencies do
not manifest themselves as results, it is because they find no field for
action in the healthy organism. When they meet with the requisite
pathological conditions, these tendencies make themselves manifest in
the shape of definite results, commonly known as therapeutic effects.

NOTHNAGEL, in his classical work,[9] recognizes this theory by excluding
from his book the term "therapeutic effects" altogether. Where he finds
it necessary to say anything of the physiological effects of a remedy,
in addition to those "on man in health," he speaks--still under the head
of "physiological effects"--of those "on man when sick." When, setting
aside its empirical employment, we come then to inquire what it is that
furnishes us with the true indications for the use of a remedy, analysis
of the question leads us invariably back to its physiological effects.
If I have failed nevertheless to include the few effects which I am
about to touch on, under the head of "physiological effects," I have
done so simply in compliance with universal usage, and as a matter of
convenience for reference.

I will now, without further digression, proceed to the consideration of
those effects of electric baths not yet enumerated.

As a fitting precursor to the enumeration of the therapeutic properties
of the remedy under consideration, it may be well to dwell for a moment
on what is among its most prominent characteristics; I have reference to
its great value as a

DIAGNOSTIC.

In explanation of this, I will state that in