On the uses of electrolysis in affections of the male urethra / by C. Yelverton Pearson.

  • Pearson, C. Yelverton (Charles Yelverton), 1857-1947.
Date:
1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the uses of electrolysis in affections of the male urethra / by C. Yelverton Pearson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    4. Insulated electrodes terminating in a conical or bulbous plated metallic knob, and of suitable sizes are required, both straight and curved. Those I first employed I obtained from Messrs. Coxeter & Son; they were straight, but could be readily curved if so desired, but not graduated. I, however, got this firm to make me some graduated in half inches, so that the exact distance of the part operated upon from the meatus may be readily known. I also employ stiffened electrodes, with the usual curve of a silver catheter, for making applications to the curved portion of the canal. These are provided with flattened handles, one side of which is rough, so that there may be no doubt as to the direction of the point of the instrument when introduced. 5. An electrode of large surface is required for external application. The modus operandi is as follows :—The lai’ge external electrode having been thoroughly moistened with hot water is applied above the pubis or to the lumbar region. I prefer the latter situation, as the pressure of the patient’s body upon it maintains a steady contact—a condition not to be calculated on when applied to the anterior abdominal walls owing to the respiratory movements—unless, indeed, a heavy one be employed, such as Apostoli’s clay electrode—the weight of which causes it to exert a pretty uniform pressure. This exteiTial electrode must in all cases, where we employ urethal electrolysis, be connected with the positive end of the battery. The urethral electrode being invariably made the negative ]?ole, IS passed down to the affected portion of the canal, and held there steadily; the current is carefully turned on to a strength of from two to ten milliamp^res—five milliamperes being the usual strength employed. A gentle pressure is made on the urethral electrode, so as to cause it to glide t irough the stricture or over the Inflamed surface—it must