Van Deusen/Kosinski Collection


in the case under consideration, includes not only the fermentation of the fluids by the shock, but also that compression which is formed by a suppressed perspiration. After all the abatement of the symptoms is made that can be, by fermentation in other parts, and by removing the suppressed perspiration, let the shocks be passed directly through the affected part of the pleura, from side to side, beginning, as in peripneumony, with very small shocks, and increase their strength as the case may require, or as the patient is able to bear. It frequently happens, that the pain will move from place to place; but it may be observed, that it will move in the same direction in which you pass the shock: for instance, suppose the seat of the pain to be in the right side, your proper method will be to pass the shock from the right side to the left; if the pain takes a different seat, it will be towards the left side; if it moves quite into the left side, then turn the direction of the shock from the left to the right side; and you must continue to make these different directions, as the seat of the pain may be: if the pain rises towards the shoulders, then turn the direction of the shock directly down upon it, &c.

I have given fifty shocks, in different directions, before the patinet could move an arm, or incline the head; but by the time I had given fifty more, light ones, they have been able to rise and walk the room, being warmly covered.

If the irritation hath remained some days in a particular part of the pleura, it will be so exceedingly weakened and wounded, that the pain will incline to that part, in preference to any other; the blood, wind, &c. will continue to distend, and irritate the feeble part: in this case, the shock should be passed once in half an hour, or nearly that, as the pain may chance to increase in the part; this will give the dilated part temporary relief, and enable it to recover its natural tone and strength in a short time. But sometimes there is a violent pleurisy, and with it a voluntary perspiration; or at least, there will be no symptoms of perspiration being suppressed - no evidence of sihenic diathesis. In this case, a general fermentation of the blood is all that is necessary to be effected. It is owing to some stagnation of the blood, from the grossness of its particles; to attentuate these, and throw them into circulation, is the whole indication of cure; this may be effected by electrying throughout the whole system, but especially through the sides, as strongly as the patient can bear, without being wounded thereby. It is often necessary to repeat the shocks three or four times in one day. The oftener they are repeated, the less number is generally sufficient. It is sometimes necessary to administer a purge, but very seldom an emetic. I have observed cases, in which an emetic is absolutely necessary; yea, death will

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FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Title page
2 Preface
13 Animal and Vegetable Electricity
15 Chapter 1 - Electric fire promotes the vegetable life, etc.
70 Chapter 2 - Of the Conductors
   97 Chapter 3 - Fever  [Medical Conditions]
108 Peripneumony 171 Cholic 210 Involuntary motion
      of the eyelids
111 Pleurisy 174 Asthma 210 Hemmorage
114 St. Anthony's Fire 176 Diabetes 217 Hemorroids
115 Inflammatory Rheumatism 178 Urine suppressed,
  bloody and hot
217 Ulcers and Abcesses
115 Inflammatory Sore Throat 182 Menses obstructed 220 Rickets
122 Madness 185 King's Evil 221 Locked Jaw or Joints
131 Ague 186 Cancers 224 Bruises
138 St. Vitus's Dance 194 Quincy 229 Nerves contracted
140 Hysterics 195 Head-ache 230 Sprain or Strain
144 Epilepsy 196 Deafness 231 Felon or Whitlow
149 Consumption 197 Inflammatory Eyes 231 Pains in different parts
153 Palsy 197 Film 232 Wounds, etc.
158 Dropsy 199 Gutta Serena 234 Drowning
164 Gout 207 Cataract 237 Suppressed Perspiration
166 Dysentery 209 Fistula Lachrymalis 237 Burns and Scalds
242 Chapter 4  [Equipment]
277 Thoughts on the Times
INDEX
Electricity, or Ethereal Fire, Considered is presented here for historical purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice.





        
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