In non-atrophic paralysis--of which hemiplegia may be taken as a type--the propriety of electrization, and especially the proper moment for its application, requires careful consideration. In both brain and spinal cord disease muscular electrization is not advisable until some time after the attack, or until the muscles exhibit signs of impairment of nutrition from disuse. As long as there is rigidity--especially with increased reflex action--any stimulant application of electricity is not likely to do good, and may do harm; but in older cases--both hemiplegic and paraplegic--cases of from six to eighteen months’ duration--the immediate benefit to be derived from localized electrization is often remarkable, especially in those cases where, after a partial return of voluntary movement, the patient suddenly stops short, and for weeks or months makes no progress. As the sequel of electrization, the hemiplegic patient able to use the arm slightly, but not to feed himself, may regain this power, to his infinite comfort, and the paraplegic patient, able with difficulty to drag himself along by crutches, is enabled to walk by the aid of a stick. Some improvement is usually soon obtained, and it is progressive for, perhaps, two or three months, after which continued electrization fails to increase it; but at a subsequent period--six months afterwards--a renewed electrization may give rise to a new improvement; but be this as it may, whenever in these old-standing cases we see signs of impaired nutrition, it is wise to occasionally stimulate the muscles by Faradism. We should endeavour--in the words of the late Nestor of modern medicine, Sir Thomas Watson--“to preserve the muscular part of the locomotive apparatus in a state of health and readiness, until peradventure that part of the brain from which volition proceeds having recovered its functions, or the road by which its messages travel having been repaired, the influence of the will shall again reach and reanimate the palsied limbs.”[19] [SN: Direct application of Voltaic Current to Brain.] In hemiplegia the propriety of a direct application of the constant Voltaic current to the brain must be thoughtfully considered. In selected cases, where the clot or softening is of limited extent, its removal may be accelerated by a carefully localized current--two or three cells--for two or three minutes to the injured hemisphere, followed by Voltaization of the cervical sympathetic (so-called) for four or five minutes. After such an application there follows--according to Althaus--“greater ease in the head, as well as in the limbs, and if there has been pain this is relieved.” [SN: Electricity in Spinal Paraplegia.] Similarly the absorption of the inflammatory products may be promoted in the earlier stages of spinal disease, by localizing the Voltaic current in the parts affected, especially where pain is present, and we have reason to suppose that the myelitis is circumscribed. The daily application