Electro-therapeutics of neurasthenia / by W.F. Robinson.

  • Robinson W. F.
Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Electro-therapeutics of neurasthenia / by W.F. Robinson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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

    25/90 (page 11)
    machine, supplied with two or three small plates, to be of very much less value. I do not by any means wish to imply that other makers are not able to make a perfect static machine which would fulfill all the requirements of modern elec- tro-therapeutics. I have had no experience with the machine made by McIntosh, of Chicago, but am told by those who use it that it is very satisfactory in all respects. The electrodes which I use in giving static elec- tricity are: First, the metallic point, which gives a slight spark when held close to the body; on being withdrawn a little the so-called static breeze is pro- duced. This is the mildest of all the electrodes. Next in order comes the wooden ball, two and a half inches in diameter, in which the spark is very much mitigated by its passage through the wood. After this comes the blunt carbon point, an electrode which ends in a small rounded piece of carbon, not unlike the rods used in the arc light. The spark springs from this carbon end and is considerably stronger than that from the wooden ball. Finally, we have the small metallic ball, one inch in diameter, which gives quite a powerful and often painful spark. This is the strongest electrode used by the author in the treatment of neurasthenia, except in very rare in- stances. Very obstinate cases occurring in men, that seem to resist all milder forms of treatment, are occasionally stimulated by means of sparks from