be the consequence of withholding an emetic: but this has its rise in the stomach; the pain
commences there, by reason of acculated sharp crudities, that irritate the region of the stomach, and by-and-by a sympathy strikes the sides:
the doctor is called to a pleurisy; he lets blood, but to no essential purpose; it must abate the sympathy in the sides, but cannot affect the cause.
In one case of this description, I was called; but all means were baffled, even the electric shock would only abate the sympathy in the sides for a few
minutes; but as soon as a puke began to operate, the whole disturbance subsided. I have known but of one other case just similar:
A doctor was called, at a late stage: he drew blood for a pleurisy; it availed nothing; the person expired in great agony in a few hours after bleeding.
St. Anthony's Fire.
This disease is attended with a total suppression of perspiration, equal to any retension in fever heat.
It may be totally cured by electrifying; but it will be assisted by purges, &c.
The method of treating by electricity, is to electrify freely throughout the whole system, as strongly as the patient can well bear; and this
must be assisted by all those means prescribed to assist in promoting a rapid flow of perspiration in a fever; this must be kept up until perfect relief is obtained.
If the head is much affected, it must be covered, and the shocks passed from all parts round about the head, to the feet; this will
promote perspiration in the head also, it being covered warmly, and will soon throw off the whole
affection in the head and body. The covering on the head must be left off by little and little, or a cold will ensue.
Inflammatory Rheumatism.
With some people, rheumatism, rheumatolgia, or chronic rheumatism and gout, all pass for rheumatism: with such as do not discriminate these cases, my boasted cure of inflammation
may, and undoubtedly will, fall into disrepute.
Electricity hath, by many, been recommended in almost all chronic cases, or cases of debility, or deficient excitement; and from its known
usefulness in such cases, it hath been adored by many.
But to apply this elementary fire in cases of inflammation, of increased action of fever heat, would be to add fire to fire, fuel to flame.
It hath been supposed, that nothing in nature could be more absurd, or more dangerous; that it would tend directly to increase an inflammation; but the contrary of all this is just the truth.
I do not mean, however, that the electric shock is of no use in cases of deficient excitement; but that
it is, as to some of the effects of deficient excitement, a direct remedy: but as to its being a stimulus, it is only indirectly such; and that
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