Galvanism, applied to the treatment of uterine haemorrhage / by Thomas Radford.

  • Radford, Thomas, 1793-1881.
Date:
1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Galvanism, applied to the treatment of uterine haemorrhage / by Thomas Radford. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    highly hazardous to introduce the hand and to deliver by force. In such a case galvanism would place the woman in a state of security, by exciting the contraction of the uterus. I also consider that this power would be useful in some of the haemor- rhages of the early months of pregnancy. With regard to the after hemorrhages, especially those attended by exhaustion, I consider it par- ticularly applicable where atony of the uterus is the principle feature of the accident. In those cases which Occur previous to the expulsion of the placenta, it would be the duty of the practitioner to assure himself that this mass was not morbidly adherent to the sides of the uterus. In hour-glass contraction, aud other forms of irregular uterine action after labour, I anticipate great benefit from its use. In these cases there is a loss of balance between the contractile power of different parts of the uterine fibre, one part being in a state of atony, whilst the other is in a state of firm contraction. Now, if the galvanic current be directed in the longitudinal axis of the organ, it strikes me that you might excite the longitudinal fibres to contraction, and thereby restore the balance. There are several other topics not directly con- nected with the subject of this evening’s lecture which I shall slightly notice, in reference to galvanism. I am satisfied from positive trial of the remedy, that it will be found a most important agent in tedious labour, depending upon want of power in the uterus, and where no mechanical obstacle exists. I would also suggest the proba- bility of its proving valuable in originating uterine action de novo, in cases where It may be considered necessary to induce premature labour. It seems to me also to be worthy of trial in certain cases of menorrhagia in the ungravid state, where, on vaginal examination, the uterus is found to be atonic, as evidenced by its large flaccid condition, and the patulous state of the os uteri. Having made this digression, it is proper that I should remark, in reference to cases of haemorrhage, that I am not urging this plan of treatment upon the profession, with the view of superseding the ordinary means; but rather with the view of sup- plying a remedy in those extreme cases where these have failed. I do unhesitatingly say that the obstetrician has the power in most cases to con- troul uterine haemorrhage, so as to prevent them e-ver reaching this extreme state of exhaustion. But, nevertheless, we do meet with this condition, frequently in a large hospital practice, and also in private consultation practice. A number of cases have come to my knowledge within a very few months, where death has resulted from this exces- sive exhaustion. I therefore say that we ought to have some more certain means than delivery to depend upon in these cases; for if this expedient is so important a means of saving life, how is it that it so often fails ? With regard to the mode of applying galvanism in these cases, I have used an electro-magnetic apparatus, contrived by Messrs. Abraham and Dancer, of this town, for medical and other pur- poses. It consists of a battery in a small jar, and a helix with conductors. For the sake of conve- nience the latter are connected with the helix by means of long wires, covered with an isolating material. The strength of the shock is regulated by a small contrivance situated on the stand of the helix, by means of which it can be either dimi- nished or increased. One of the conductors, which is applied externally, has a hollow wooden handle, through which passes the wire before alluded to, in order to join a brass stem terminating at its extremity in a ball. The other conductor, which is contrived by myself, consists of a strong brass stem, seven inches long, curved to suit the vagina, and covered with a non-conducting material, having a small screw at its distal extremity for attaching to it a silvered ball; at its other extre- mity it is received within an ebony handle, which is hollow, and through which passes a strong brass wire, looped at the end, and connected with the long wires before alluded to. This wire is kept disconnected from the brass stem by means of a spiral spring concealed within the ebony handl'e. The loop is covered with silk, and is intended for the thumb of the operator, when he is bringing the wire into connection with the stem. When the remedy is applied, the brass ball of the vaginal conductor is to be passed up to the os uteri, and moved about at intervals, on to various parts of this organ. At the same time the other conductor must be applied to the abdominal parietes over the fundus uteri. Shocks may be also passed transversely through the uterus by simultaneously applying the conductor on each side of the belly. The application should be used at intervals, so as to approximate in its effects, as nearly as possible to the natural pains. It may be continued until it meets the exigencies of the case. Before concluding the lecture, I wish to observe that it is stated that galvanism has been applied in labour before. When the idea first suggested itself to me, how’ever, it was original to my mind, as I was quite unaware of its ever having been alluded to before. And I may say, with regard to its application in cases of haemorrhage, and the modifications I have suggested in order to make it effectual in some of the varieties of that accident, that I believe I have been the first to employ it.