ence to them would have led to a
great deal of tautology in the chapter on "special therapeutics."

Before leaving the subject of "general uses" of the baths, I will dwell
for a moment on their admirable adaptability as a

PROPHYLACTIC.

Every physician is fully aware of the fact that disturbances of the
circulation constitute one of the most frequent causes of disease. There
are, indeed, comparatively few pathological conditions that do not bring
with them congestion of some more or less important organ. A remedy then
which more than any other has a tendency to equalize the circulation,
and thus counteract a condition which as cause or effect, or both, is an
almost universal concomitant of disease, and which in addition to this
is so admirable and physiological a stimulant and tonic, can hardly be
surpassed as a prophylactic by any other uncombined remedy.

Footnotes:

[Footnote 9: Dr. Hermann Nothnagel: Handbuch der
Arzneimittellehre. Berlin, 1870.]

CHAPTER V.

SPECIAL THERAPEUTICS AND CLINICAL RECORD.

I have thought it best for practical purposes, to accompany the
consideration of the treatment of special diseases by the histories of
illustrative cases, where I had such at command.

Before entering on the subject proper, I wish to offer some general
considerations that may influence and guide us in determining when,
where and why to employ electric baths as a remedy.

To realize thoroughly the indications in given cases for the employment
of electric baths, we must first of all be more or less familiar with
the effects and uses of the electric current as well as those of the
ordinary warm bath. We must realize the fact that here we not only have
these two forces united, but that the more important of the two, the
electric current, here acts directly (locally) as well as indirectly
(through the nervous centres) on every portion of the body--a
circumstance of great importance in differentiating indications on the
one hand for the baths, on the other for local electrization. In view
of these circumstances we are fully justified in looking for results far
more comprehensive than any that might be obtained singly from either of
the two remedies that are here combined. There can be no doubt that in
many cases the resisting power of a disease is sufficient to withstand
two remedies brought singly and alternately to