ELECTROLYSIS.

BY. C. S. NEISWANGER, M. D.

If the physician who would usc electricity as an adjunct in his practice would study well the laws of electrolysis he would have little trouble in mastering the whole subject.

Electrolysis more properly covers the whole field of what we call galvanism, or direct currents, and, in order to get proper understanding of it, we must commence at the rudiments so as to avoid coufusion.

If the physician will become thoroughly conversant with the threee fundamental principles of electrical energy, voltage, amperage and resistance, he will never regret the time spent.

Voltage is not electricity, but only one of the component parts of electrical energy, and although itself perfectly harmless, it becomes a dangerous factor under certain conditions. Voltage, then, is the pressure at which electricity is used and can be likened to the pressure in a steam boiler. We would not call the pressure in a boiler steam, and it would be evidently as improper to call voltage electricity. It is pressure. We

then have:

Voltage pressure E. M. F.=E.

E. M. F. stands for "electro motive force" and is the best and at the same time the technical name for voltage, because it tells just what it is-the force that moves electricity. Wherever we see the letter "E" in electrical formula, it always means voltage.

In most of the text books for physicians amperage is defined as current or

quantity. This is obviously wrong, because we must not look upon electricity as a thing or entity, but a condition. Amperage, then, is only the rate at which electricity flows and that rate is governed entirely by the pressure or voltage. If I say I am giving my patient fifty milliamperes of current, I mean that a rate of flow of fifty milliamperes is maintained throughout the entire circuit, and consequently just that much is passing through the patient.

Resistance is anything that opposes the passage of electricity. Every force has its resistance. If that were not the case we would be able to get something out of nothing, and thus violate the law of conservation of energy. If it were not for resistance we could easily produce perpetual motion.

It must now be understood that there is a definite relationship existing between these three factors, voltage, amperage and resistance, and that we can not destroy this relationship. If two electrodes from an acting galvanic battery be placed upon the body and a certain amount of pressure (voltage) be turned into the circuit, a definite rate of current flow (amperage) will be established. If now we move the electrodes to another part of the body where the resistance is greater, the same amount of voltage will not maintain the same current flow, but in order to obtain the original amperage we must either increase the pressure of decrease the resistance. So if we gain in one of these factors it must be at the expense of one of the others.

It is easy to change force or energy from one form to another and this interchange of energy is the physical life of the world. The chemical energy within the cell begets electrical energy and with this electrical energy we can, in turn, break up chemical compounds. This is electrolyisis-the breaking up of substances into their elements by electricity.

In studying this subject the main fact to be kept in sight is that where substances are broken up into their elements by electricity we have left certain products of decomposition which Faraday named “ions." These ions take a definite direction toward one or the other poles of the battery, some having a strong affinity for the positive pole, others for the negative. Following the universal law that "likes repel and unlikes attract," these ions appearing at the positive must have been repelled by the negative and are therefore like the negative, and we call them clectro-negative substances. Likewise those appearing at the negative side we call electro-positive.

The body fluids are largely composed of water, and therefore contain oxygen and hydrogen. In the process of electrolysis the former is electro-negative and collects around the positive pole, the latter goes toward the negative, and it is this affinity that gives the two poles an exactly opposite therapeutic effect. If the application of one pole is indicated for a certain condition, the other will aggravate it, so it becomes necessary to become thoroughly conversant with this part of the subject.

Oxygen is an acid maker, consequently the tissues adjacent to the positive pole are rendered acid. An acid condition is against pain because it means the beginning of the death of tissue, consequently we call the positive pole sedative.

Hydrogen is an alkali maker, therefore hydrogen collecting around the the negative pole-the tissues in the immediate vicinity of this pole are rendered alkaline. An alkaline condition means a con

dition of over-stimulation or irritation. All inflammations are due to an excessive alkalinity of the part. It is evident, then, that while the positive pole will alleviate an inflammatory condition, a negative application will produce a state simulating inflammation.

The positive pole, by its acidity, coagulates the albuminoids of the blood, and therefore hardens or shrinks tissue.

The negative pole acts much like caustic soda or potassium, softening, disintegrating or liquefying tissue; so it becomes apparent that whenever we desire to produce decomposition of tissue, such as warts, moles, or, in fact, any benign growth, it is necessary to use the negative pole.

The positive pole, by its sedative action on the vasomotor nerves, lessens the lumen of the blood vessels, thereby decreasing the blood supply to the part. The negative pole, by stimulating the vasomotor nerves, dilates the blood vessels.

THE EFFECTS OF HIGH FREQUENCY CURRENTS ON ELIMINATION.

That high frequency currents have a very marked influence upon tisue metamorphosis there can be no doubt. The effects of general D'Arsonvalization being more readily determined than the systemic reaction caused by local applications, it is the former methods of electrization that have been most frequently employed in the experiments made to ascertain the extent of this influence.

Most of the experiments seem to have been made with the view of ascertaining the effect of the currents upon the functional activity of the kidneys. Since the kidneys play a very important part in the elimination of the by-products of the internal economy, as well as offering the greatest facilities for accurate observation it is only natural to suppose that the evidence afforded by the exercise of their functional activity can with safety

be accepted as the touchstone of judg ment in determining the influence of the oscillatory currents upon tissue metamorphosis.

D'Arsonval's experiments proved that currents of high frequency not only influence the amount of urine excreted, but also increase the elimination of nitrogenous extractives, more especially of urea, and the toxicity of the urine as well.

These statements of D'Arsonval are supported by a great number of independent investigators. In 1893 Morton found, as the results of electrization, that the amount of uric acid contained in the urine of patients suffering from chronic rheumatism diminished, while that of urea increased.

Lacailli proved by chemical analysis that the quantity of urea present in the urine of the cases treated by him steadily rose under electrization from eleven to forty-three or even to sixty

grams.

Apostoli has shown that in his cases electrization gave rise to an increase in diuresis and elimination of urea, as well as causing an increase in the oxyhemoglobin of the blood, the improved nutrition not only stimulating the desire for work, but also furnishing the energy necessary to sustain it.

It is evident, therefore, that indications are not wanting which support and confirm D'Arsonval's observations on the influence of high frequency upon elimination and the internal nutritive exchanges.

THE SELECTION OF ELECTRODES.

The physician entering the field of electro-therapeutics finds the selection of suitable electrodes a rather perplexing problem, especially as some writers recommend the use of some favorite metal in almost every conceivable application. Neiswanger is partial to copper, Massey holds fast to zine, and Martin is a strong advocate of platinum. The matter really

resolves itself to the question, "Shall the particular electrode be soluble or insoluble?" in other words, shall it be immune or subject to the electrolytic decomposition which takes place at the positive pole.

The positive pole of the galvanic current liberates and attracts the atoms of oxygen and chlorine found in the fluids of the body which atack the metal composing the electrode; and if it be one of the baser metals, such as copper, zinc, or iron, a salt is readily formed; this constituting the oxychloride of the respective metal.

The negative pole gives rise to no such decomposition as takes place at the positive, and therefore the metal used is not an important factor; although nickelplated instruments are usually utilized for special applications with this pole, because they do not tarnish or rust.

The faradic current has no chemical properties and the metal utilized is not an essential item, although nickel-plating is preferred.

The sinusoidal current lays no claim to any special polar effects and accommodates itself to the form of electrode most readily available.

Copper, zinc and iron are used largely for their antiseptic and astringent properties and the former is in popular favor at the present day. A copper electrode is valuable for metallic electrolysis at the positive pole and is useful on the negative pole or with the faradic current.

Nickel-plated electrodes are designed especially for use with the faradic current or the negative pole in galvanism, and should on no acount be employed on the positive pole, as the plating would be stripped; this also applies to gold-plated needles, for, it will be recollected, gold is subject to the influence of chlorine.

Block-tin, platinum and carbon are capable of withstanding the action of the positive pole, being unaffected by either. chlorine or oxygen; and therefore may be utilized where the effects of this pole

are desired in cases where the application of metallic salts is not indicated. Platinum is very costly and carbon is brittle and hard to work, but block-tin is more practical, as the cost is not prohibitive and is easy of adaptation.

Vaginal and intrauterine electrodes are always best of copper, except for faradization or dilating, when nickel-plating is preferable.

Rectal electrodes are usually more desirable in copper, as the treatment of hemorrhoids demands this particular metallic salt.

Abdominal electrodes are preferably composed of block-tin plate with a suitable covering.

Urethral electrodes, if required solely for the treatment of stricture, should be nickel-plated, but for treatment of gleet and kindred ailments copper is indicated.

Eye, ear, nose, and throat electrodes are largely called for in copper, but in cases where the faradic or sinusoidal currents are to be employed, nickel-plating is more desirable.

Epilating electrodes or needles are usually of steel, as the negative pole is most commonly employed for this pur

fession were not well adapted to X-ray work. This was due partly to imperfections in the apparatus and partly to the fact that tube manufactures had not at that time produced properly designed tubes for use in connection with high frequency currents.

Recognizing the fact that every physician should consider an apparatus for X-ray diagnosis an "essential part of his equipment." and, furthermore, realizing that many physicians could not afford, or would not care to invest in both a static machine, or coil, and a high frequency apparatus, it has been found. possible to combine in a single outfit a thoroughly efficient X-ray outfit and a machine capable of delivering all of the high frequency modalities. That the experiment has succeeded is evidenced. by the testimony of expert radiographers and many physicians of wide experience in the use of the high frequency modalities.

It hardly matters to the average physician or his patient whether it takes an application of a second or a few seconds to secure a certain radiograph.

PROTECTION AGAINST INSECT
BITES.

Oil of Sassafras a Specific Preventive. It is not generally known how valuable a preventive against the bites of mosquitoes, fleas, gnats, midges, and so forth, oil of sassafras is. The fact has recently been recorded again by Mr. A. T. Girdler. If in a susceptible person the oil is applied at once to the place that has been bitten it almost invariably prevents the poisoning altogether. If applied to the inflamed spot a day or two after the bite it at once stops the irritation. To those who live in the country, and whose life is made a burden by undue susceptibility to insect bites, and to those who have not yet returned from holidaymaking in regions infested by biting insects, oil of sassafras should be a great boon, and it is harmless as an external application.