Specification of Alonzo Grandison Hull : electrical apparatus for medical purposes.

  • Hull, Alonzo Grandison.
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of Alonzo Grandison Hull : electrical apparatus for medical purposes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Hull's Improvements in Electrical Apparatus for Medical Purposes. of the circuit. Second, by causing water, or other fluid, or medicines, or other media to be the communicating medium between either one or both of the poles and the animal body. Third, by making the extent of one surface of the water or other fluid, medicine, or other media in contact with the animal body 5 vary from the extent of the surface of water, &c. in contact with the body and in connexion with the other pole. Fourth, varying the quantity or the conduct¬ ing power of the water or other media in contact with either pole. Fifth, placing the poles in such situations that the part of the body desired to be put in a positive state of electricity shall be nearest to the positive pole, and the 10 part desired to be in a negative state nearest to the negative pole. Sixth, modifying the action, by placing the poles at greater or less distances from each other when applied. Seventh, by dividing either of the terminal conductors and causing the connexion of the circuit to consist of a small quantity of water or other fluid in order to modify the action. 15 In adapting a galvanic battery or other electrical apparatus, I make the negative conductor of larger dimensions than the positive conductor, or vice versa, which is the first feature of improvement or modification of my electrical apparatus. Secondly, the introduction of a vessel of water or other fluid, through which I pass the electric current, for the 20 purpose of ascertaining and modifying its intensity when the action of the battery is too strong. Thirdly, in making medicines a part of the electric circuit between the poles and the animal body, for the purpose of modifying the intensity of the electricity and introducing the medicine into the body, and also increasing and determining its effects. Fourth, in placing 25 the medicine in contact with the animal body, and so applying both poles to the medicine that the electrical circuit may pass principally through it for the purpose of acting upon the surface of the body. Fifth, in constructing a tube having two insulated wires passed through it for conducting the electricity, which tube is to be introduced into the bladder for the purpose of dissolving 30 stone. The form of such tube may be like the ordinary catheter, having its end open for the conducting wires to pass through, and the wires may be coated with a non-conducting material, except at their extremities. These wires being connected to the opposite ends of an electrical battery, will conduct the electric fluid through the wires, and by its action cause the stone to be 35 dissolved. Sixth, introducing similar insulated conducting wires into elastic tubes to be inserted into the body, for the purpose of conducting the electric fluid into or through any part of the body, as, for instance, into the stomach, to promote digestion and other purposes. Having now described my improvements in electrical apparatus, and the