a very large number of
cases of disease of an obscure nature, and where, to be candid, the
electric bath was employed empirically, or, if you please, tentatively,
it has served to point out the _locus morbi_. The number of cases in
which I have made this observation, has been sufficiently large to
establish beyond a doubt the fact, that as a rule the electric current
makes itself more decidedly and often even painfully felt in any part
where a morbid condition exists; whether this be of an inflammatory,
neuralgic, rheumatic, traumatic, congestive or other nature, the result
is the same. It appears to be somewhat analogous to the "tenderness on
pressure" that we find present in many of these conditions. In
_anaesthesiae_ even the current makes itself conspicuous by the _absence_
of its normal effects. The value of this will at once be recognized in
connection with a method of electric application which at one and the
same time acts on every portion of the body. Local electrization is
accompanied by like phenomena, _when we happen to strike the right
spot_. The superiority of the bath as a means of diagnosis is found in
the circumstance that here we _must_ touch it.

The great importance of this feature of the electric bath will at once
be realized by every physician of much experience, for there can be none
such who has not frequently met with subacute or chronic conditions the
etiology of which was more or less obscure.

One of the most important effects in its therapeutic application of the
electric bath, is its superior excellency as an

EQUALIZER OF THE CIRCULATION;

so far as I know, it is more potent, constant and comprehensive in this
respect than any other agent. Where an imperfect circulation of the
blood is due to irremovable organic causes, the results obtained will of
course be transient only. In all other cases, however, favorable
results, more or less perfect according to the nature of the case, may
be reliably looked for. Both currents act very well in this respect,
though on the whole I look upon the galvanic as superior to the faradic
current.

As a theory of this effect of the currents I would offer the following,
viz: That the galvanic current acts by stimulating the vasomotor centres
and peripheral nerves, by giving tone to the mucular coats of blood
vessels, and by counter-irritation. That the _faradic_ current
stimulates the vasomotor centres little, if at all, does not i