After long disuse of healthy muscles a slight degree of diminution of electric irritability may sometimes be present, but this is always restored by two or three Faradizations, and its existence is hardly likely to present any difficulty in diagnosis. [SN: Central Paralysis.] With this qualification we find that in paralysis from brain disease electric irritability is normal, except when irritative lesion is present, and then it is increased. [SN: Spinal Paralysis.] In paralysis from disease of the substance of the cord irritability is diminished, and this will sometimes aid us in the diagnosis--not always easy--between commencing paraplegia and locomotor ataxy. In ataxy--at least in its early stages--irritability is normal. In progressive muscular atrophy it is normal as long as any muscular tissue remains. [SN: Hysterical Paralysis.] In hysterical or emotional paralysis irritability is normal, but electro-sensibility is often much impaired. [SN: Diagnosis between Real and Feigned Disease.] [SN: Electricity as Proof Positive of Death.] These variations will sometimes enable us to distinguish between real and pretended disease; and, finally, absolute abolition of electric irritability in all the muscles of the body is proof positive of death, so that those extraordinary people who are haunted by a fear of being buried alive may rest contented if they provide that after apparent death, and before burial, their bodies shall be submitted to thorough electrical examination. Considered solely as an aid to diagnosis, we can get little more assistance from electricity than I have pointed out to you. And now, Gentlemen, we come to the consideration of the last and most important branch of our subject--electricity as a therapeutic agent--its scope and its limitations as a remedy. [SN: Limitation of Electricity as a remedy.] Is it needful for me to say that there is too much belief and too much unbelief in its therapeutic power? The men who estimate it fairly are quite the minority. It is generally either much undervalued, or else believed to be a sort of modern “_Elixir Vitæ_,” capable of curing a hopeless hemiplegia from destruction of brain tissue, or a paralysis agitans from senile degeneration. Although electricity will do neither of these impossibilities, yet, considered as a remedy, it is of great value in a wide margin of diseases. It will either stimulate or soothe both nerve and muscle, according to its variety and mode of application; it will frequently restore voluntary movement, it will relieve pain, heighten temperature, recall sensation, coagulate the blood, and dissolve or slowly cause the absorption of tumours. B.--_Electricity in Treatment._ FRANKLINIZATION. Franklinization as the oldest form of electricity and as partaking more of a general application than a local, may be conveniently considered first.