A letter to Mr. George Adams on the subject of medical electricity; from Mr. John Birch, surgeon.

  • Birch, John, 1745?-1815.
Date:
1792
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A letter to Mr. George Adams on the subject of medical electricity; from Mr. John Birch, surgeon. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    face was drawn on one fide, his fpeech affeCted, and his arm and hand benumbed; his leg was but flightly attacked. In this fituation, he ad- vifed with Dr. Hugh Smith, who was no inac- tive practitioner; but during a month, he re- ceived little or no benefit. By the doctor’s ad- vice he applied to me; I confefs, I defpaired of being able to render any relief to this patient, whofe habit of infirmity was not unknown to me; but being urged by a lady of his acquaint- ance, to leave no exertion untried, I ventured on the experiment;and the rather becaufe this lady, who was an infidel refpeCting electricity, I declared, if her friend’s cafe was relieved, fhe would give credit to all flic had heard. The method I put in ufe, was infulation and eleCtric frictions, which from day to day gained vifible advantage, and in a few v’eeks eftablifhed a cure; my patient being able to ride, and take fufficient exercife, behde attending to an intri- cate train of prcfefTional bufinefs, which called for his mental exertions. In the long vacation, he journied to Wales, and returned in the win- ter in much better health than he had been ac- cuftomed to enjoy. Every fpring, for 3 fuc- cefiive years, he wifhed to have a courfe of eleCtric operations, which he thought reanimated his nerves. He is at prefent living, and enjoy- ing