Having thus cursorily considered the manner of using the electric current in the administration of a “routine” bath, and there being no remarks required concerning the water employed, in addition to what has been said in the previous chapter, a few words are in place on the subject of chemicals. As has been previously stated (page 13) these are added: _a_) to be absorbed, and thus act medicinally on the patient; _b_) to act on the skin; _c_) through chemical affinity to facilitate the elimination from the body of certain metallic substances, and _d_) to further the absorption of morbid deposits. Of the many drugs and medicines that no doubt may be made to answer these various purposes, I have had personal experience with but few, and of these I will mention the leading ones only. A requisite of all chemicals to be employed is their ready solubility in water. Of substances intended for absorption[3] I have used but three, viz: iron, iodine, and extract of malt. The first of these I have employed in anæmic and enfeebled conditions generally, but especially in chlorosis and chlorotic hysteria, with marked success. It has the advantage, when administered in this manner, not only of sparing the alimentary canal the frequently injurious task of becoming the medium of its assimilation, but, in addition to this, I believe that it can in this way be introduced into the blood much more rapidly and in larger quantities than when given by the mouth. The preparation which I have found, all things considered, the most eligible for this purpose, is the “tartrate of iron and ammonia.” This is very readily soluble, leaving no deposit, is assimilable, and not too expensive for the purpose. As, in my experience at least, it leaves nothing to wish for, I would consider it superfluous to discuss in this connection any of the other ferruginous preparations. Iodine I have employed with a view to its absorption in rheumatism and gout. I cannot speak favorably of it in this connection. I have not in a single instance found a bath charged with iodine, either in the form of the tincture or of iodide of potassium, followed by results in any way differing from those of the simple galvanic bath employed in the same cases. Extract of malt I have employed as a roborant, either alone or in conjunction with iron, in cases of debility and malnutrition, and found it of service. Where the absorption of substances is aimed at, the _galvanic_ current must be employed. Where we add substances to an electric bath with a view of producing some special action on the skin, we may be guided by the same principles that govern ordinary balneology. Thus to obtain counter-irritant effects, we may add mustard or common salt; to render the bath alkaline, bicarbonate of potassa or soda, etc., etc.