Such a device is not advocated, since the patient is liable to jump as the current is made suddenly, because of the sharp stinging pain felt at the point when the needle has entered the tissue or hair follicle, often resulting in the breaking of the needle and possible injury to the patient. Other operators employ a small magnifying glass which may be attached to the holder, as in Fig. 516, and by a sliding arrangement be moved up or down the handle to adjust the lens to the proper focus. This arrangement is indeed novel and may be of service in removing fine superfluous hairs, but the author has never resorted to the method. [Illustration: FIG. 516.—NEEDLE HOLDER WITH MAGNIFYING GLASS.] The proper kind of needle to be used for electrolysis varies with the device of the operator. The ordinary cambric needle usually advocated is too stiff and thick. Jeweler’s broaches are better, but are very brittle and easily broken. The ideal needle should be very thin and made of platinum or irido-platinum. The author prefers the sharp to the bulbous-pointed. For the removal of other blemishes than hair from the face the sharp needle only can be used. REMOVAL OF SUPERFLUOUS HAIR The moistened sponge electrode connected to the (+) positive pole of the circuit is placed into the hand of the patient, who lies in a chair with her head on a level with the physician’s chin when operating. The light should be southern, or such that the shafts of the hairs show plainly. The operator turns on the current, holding the needle holder in the right hand which is connected by a flexible cord to the (-) negative pole. The rheostat handle is brought back so that just the least current is flowing. The needle is now thrust down into the follicle containing the hair. This must be done very gently so as to feel when the papilla has been reached by the needle. The depth to which the needle goes varies very much according to the size and place of the hair. It may be less than one eighth and more than one fourth inch. The patient holding the sponge will at once feel a stinging sensation when the needle enters the skin, which is later not as objectionable. The current is now increased by advancing the handle of the rheostat until about eight milliampères are shown by the index on the dial. Within a few seconds a white froth will issue from the follicle, showing that decomposition of tissue is taking place. The operator must familiarize himself with the time and amount of current required to destroy superfluous hairs. Coarse hairs may require as much as fourteen milliampères, but it is advisable to use a moderate amount of current and to leave the needle a little longer in the follicle to avoid scarring of the skin. The papilla having presumably been destroyed, the patient loosens her grip on the sponge and the needle is withdrawn.