I alluded, above, to a distinction between a _relaxed_ and an _atrophied_ condition of an organ. There is such a distinction, which should be carefully observed while treating parts so affected. An atrophied muscle or organ becomes soft and flabby from lack of nourishment. But this condition is not properly one of _relaxation_. It is rather a diminution--a _thinning out_ of atoms, by wasting without replenishment. Such a condition is always negative, and requires treatment under the negative pole. On the contrary, relaxed parts, such as appear in prolapsus uteri, and in the sagging down of the diaphragm, with the thoracic and abdominal viscera, exhibit no lack of nutrition or of vital action. Relaxation is a _loosening_ of atoms from each other, more or less, without loss of aggregate weight; and implies a condition electrically positive in excess, and calls for treatment with the positive pole. GENERAL DIRECTIONS OF THE CURRENT. _Negative_ affections, as a general rule, are best treated with the _upward-running_ current--the positive pole being placed at a lower point than the negative. _Inflammatory_ affections, and other _plus_ conditions, for the most part, should be treated with the down-running current, keeping the negative pole at a lower point than the positive. But these rules admit of frequent exceptions, which every practitioner's experience will soon reveal. The _downward_ current, running _with_ the downward and outward course of the nerves, tends to _depletion_ and _weakness_, for the reason that it _runs off_ from the system the electro-vital fluid. The _upward_ current, on the other hand, running _against_ the nerves, inward towards their source, feeds the system with fresh electricity, and gives a _tonic_ effect. Yet for this purpose, it must not be too long continued, nor of too severe strength, lest it overtask and irritate the nerve-sheaths. In treating a _paralyzed_ organ, the current should commonly be run from a _healthy_ part, whether that require it to be directed downwards or upwards. For example: In treating a paralyzed foot or leg, the positive pole should be upon the lower part of the spine--at the coccyx--or even under the sole of the opposite foot. It is best to alternate between these positions. So in treating a paralyzed hand or arm, let the current be run from the upper part of the spine, and frequently also from the opposite hand. With the _negative_ electrode, treat all over the paralyzed parts. Yet it is well, in these cases, often to _reverse_ the direction of the current for a brief period at the close of the sittings, say one to two minutes, for the purpose of rousing the nervous susceptibility, and to prevent exhaustion from too continuously running off the electro-vital fluid. TREATING WITH ELECTROLYTIC CURRENTS.