bdominal region seemed to be almost as
inactive as his limbs; for very severe friction across the hips, and
along the spine, down the legs, produced no sensation; and his bowels
were so constipated, as to remain motionless from five or six days to a
fortnight at a time, unless excited by medical agents.

His case was examined by several eminent medical men in the vicinity of
Boston, who gave it as their unanimous opinion, that the cause of his
disease was the irritation of the water. Some of them prescribed for his
case, but all to no apparent purpose.

On the first day of November, he was sent to an electro-chemical bathing
establishment, to be treated according to the usages of that
institution. I was intimately acquainted with the establishment, and, in
circumstances like his, was understood to regard it with favor. I was,
therefore, from time to time, consulted in the case of Captain H. To
give an impulse to the nervous and arterial systems of Capt. H., one
bath was administered. The use of his limbs was restored, as if by
magic. When he came out of the bath, he walked some twenty feet or more,
to his bed, without assistance; and, to his great surprise, could raise
his hands to his head. The second day's bath, and treatment with simple
diet, not only restored sensation, but gave him a better use of his
hands than he had enjoyed before for many months. His bowels, also,
became immediately regular, and continued so.

It is, however, to be confessed, that his recovery was not so rapid as
at first seemed probable. The baths seemed to give an impulse; but it
was reserved for a proper diet, suitable exercise, and good air, to work
out, slowly, a perfect cure. How much was attributable to the baths,
considered by themselves, is not known. No medicine was given, from
first to last, except the electricity.

It should also be confessed, that no belief was entertained, by myself
or my associates, of any mechanical power possessed by the electricity,
of forcing the lead out of the system; though some individuals had
believed in such a power. The most we claimed was, that the invisible
agent had an immediate influence on the nerves, and a more remote one on
the absorbent system.

As a farther proof, if more proof had been needed, that the paralysis
was induced by lead, some of the water from which he had drank was
analyzed by Dr. Hayes, City Assayer for Boston, who pronounced it to be
strongly impregnated with lead, and "ut