To say that I am fully conscious of the shortcomings of my work, would be but feebly to express my convictions in this respect. I beg the reader however to consider that the subject is not a hackneyed one, that mine has not been the work of the compiler who remodels the brain-work of others. It may be crude and rough, it may lack the gloss and polish that is the result of much handling, but I have at least the consciousness that it has the merits of originality and candor. NEW YORK. 160 Second Avenue. November, 1876. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. THE APPARATUS. PAGE _a_)—The tub. _b_)—The electrodes and connections. _c_)—The water. _d_)—Chemicals. _e_)—The batteries. 7 CHAPTER II. MODE OF ADMINISTRATION 19 CHAPTER III. PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS. Characteristic differences between the electric bath and other methods of electrization—Effects on sleep; on general sensation; on the change of matter; on the pulse and temperature; as a stimulant and tonic; on general nutrition; on the digestive apparatus; on the sexual apparatus—Sedative influence—Affects cranial nerves—Cutaneous sensation—Its freedom from pain—Muscular contractions—Effects on the mind 31 CHAPTER IV. GENERAL THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS AND USES. The electric bath as a diagnostic; as an equalizer of the circulation; as a general counter-irritant; as a general invigorant and tonic—Its hypnotic and sedative influence—Its improvement of nutrition—As a prophylactic 52 CHAPTER V. SPECIAL THERAPEUTICS AND CLINICAL RECORD. General directions—Special diseases—Acute rheumatism—Subacute rheumatism—Chronic rheumatism—Cases of rheumatism—Chorea, with cases—Hysterical affections, with cases—Neurasthenia, with cases—Agrypnia, with cases—Anæmia, with case—Paralyses and Pareses, with cases—Neuralgiæ, with cases—Articular effusions, with case—Impotency, with cases—Constipation, with cases—Hydrargyrosis, with case—Locomotor ataxia, with case—Cachexia, with case—Dyspepsia—Melancholia, with case—Inequalities of the circulation—Affections of the Sympathetic, with case—Miscellaneous conditions—Concluding remarks 61 THE ELECTRIC BATH. CHAPTER I. THE APPARATUS.