astringent medicines may be administered to restore the habit in a much shorter time.
I have made use of the bark, elixir vitriol, brandy, &c. for bracers, after electrification; but sometimes opium answers a better intention.
The gentle dysentery, white or green purgings in children, are immediately relieved by the gentle shock; it always regulates the digestion.
I have given ten or twelve shocks, in this disease, to a child of four weeks old; and that single electrification restored the child to health.
In the epidemic at Galway, I would not use any thing but the shocks, until I substantiated their infallibility, and made it evident to many people,
that they were a sure restorative, without any assisting mean whatever.
But that I may do justice in every page, and to every subject, it is necessary to observe, that none of these
cases were very far advanced; they were mostly recent ones; the patients were all able to go or be carried abroad.
If costiveness preceded the disease, a cathartic should be given; for the shocks are not laxative, in the sense of a cathartic, but only a propellant of laxative contents;
and that by springing the intestines, the blood secreted in the intestines will be discharged,
and a further effusion upon the intestines will be restrained; but without a purge, costiveness may remain, to the detriment of the patient.
There may be a combination of complaints, in this or any other of the diseases I have mentioned, to be treated by electricity, which may make it necessary to
vary the manner of treatment by electricity; to conjoin different assisting medicines, 7c. &c. all of which, must be left to the
observation and judgment of the electrician, physician, &c.
The strangury, that so often accompanies the vehement dysentery, is always removed by passing a few light shocks down the urinary passages.
Cholic.
THAT which consisteth of flatulency and wind, is relieved by passing the shocks through the bowels, in the same manner as for the dysentery:
some of the last shocks should be brought on as high as the breast, about midway, and passed down to the lower part of the spine.
These shocks being passed from above the region of the stomach, will prevent puking; which will sometimes take place, if the shock is
passed altogether below the region of the stomach.
Shocks given in this direction will purge, in the same manner as they will in the vehement dysentery.
I have given from ten to forty shocks, on such occasions, and they have given all the relief that was necessary, in the most of cases;
sometimes I have added an internal stimulant.
When this disease is conjoined with vomiting, the shocks must be brought on as high as the sides of the neck, and
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