, by means of electricity, the very
ends or the _best_ ends which would be aimed at by skillful surgical
operations.

PRINCIPLES OF PRACTICE.

POLAR ANTAGONISM.

_When the conducting cords are of equal length_, as commonly they should
be, each of the two poles or electrodes produces a polar effect in the
patient directly the opposite of that produced by the other. Also, _at
any point_ in either half of the circuit, if it be within the person of
the patient, the polar effect produced is the very reverse of what is
experienced at the corresponding point in the other half of the circuit.
And further; each half of the current produces a polar effect, at every
point in the parts of the patient through which it runs, the same in
_kind_, though differing in _degree_, as is produced immediately under
the pole or electrode with which it is connected; yet an effect
antagonistic to that which is produced under the other pole, or at the
corresponding point in the other half of the current.

IMPORTANCE OF NOTING THE CENTRAL POINT.

From the above observations, it will be plain that, when we wish to
bring a diseased organ under the influence of the _positive_ pole, we
must carefully place our electrodes so that none of the organ, or none
of the diseased part of it, shall appear on the positive[B] side of the
_central point of the circuit_; it being understood that the current
moves as nearly in direct lines as the best conducting medium will
admit. Or again, if it be desired to bring a diseased organ, or any
extended part of it, under the influence of the _negative_ pole, we must
first calculate in placing our electrodes about where the central point
will come, and then so apply them that no part of the lesion or disease
shall appear on the negative[B] side of the central point; otherwise so
much of it as lies on that side will come under the force of the wrong
pole, and thus be affected in a way the opposite of what was intended.
The characteristic influence of each pole is felt throughout its own
half of the circuit.

DISTINCTIVE USE OF EACH POLE.

I have said that every disease is preternaturally either positive or
negative. I have further said, that the application of either pole to a
given part produces an effect the opposite of what would be produced in
the same part by a reversal of the poles. The way is now prepared for me
to announce THE CENTRAL PRINCIPLE of our system of practice. The reader
will bear i