Atmospheric electricity as a remedy : a paper read before the Suffolk District Medical Society, October 28, 1882 / by Alfred C. Garratt.

  • Garratt, Alfred C. (Alfred Charles), 1813?-1891.
Date:
1883
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Atmospheric electricity as a remedy : a paper read before the Suffolk District Medical Society, October 28, 1882 / by Alfred C. Garratt. 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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    more than ever with the great (and in many cases of a certain class of diseases the superior) merits of the static, quality and quantity of electricity, because of the decidedly gocxl andiquick work it can do in many diffi- cult eases; so that he wishes ail physicians to realize iU availability, efficiency, and usefulness. Considering the present almost general indifference of the profession as a whole to the remedial value of the old form of “ static electricity. it recalls the quite general apathy and actual disbelief in so®*' quarters in regard to the safety and |*ower of the primary cur- rent or galvanism ana remedy, at the time when the writer first called the attention of this Society to it in 1857, no v some twenty-five years ago. We can here appreciate the feelings of my friend Dr. W. J. Morton, when he, fresh from Europe ami clinical experience with the static form, first presented this subject before the Academy of Medicine in New \ork some lime ago, ami showing the greater facilities of the Holt* ma- chine for providing medical electricity said, It may at first sight appear an act of temerity to a»k attention to a method of treatment now so antiquated. Hut if, from this point of view, any apology is needed, it is simply that the writer, after careful trials in his own practice, of the medical merits of static electricity, feels a nuturul desire to have others realize its value. Be- lieving, as I do, that in again giving it a trial w'e shall take a real advanced step in the cure of diseases, I have ventured to bring this subject before you at this time. The invention of Holtz, began in 1865. and marked out for modern statical electricity in medicine the possibilities of a new career. In the Holtz ma- chine we have the means capable of furnishing elec- tricity of high tension and in great quantity. By means of the two condensers and the ability of increas- ing the number of glass wheels, both the tension and the quantity are within the control of the ojierator. It gives with ease an eight inch spark and a great quan- tity. Its constructor is Andeiveau, of Baris, while to