The razor, the tweezers and depilatories having all failed to remedy this difficulty, Dr. Michael of St. Louis, in 1875, first suggested electro lysis as a safe and sure method for eradication. Dr. Hardaway was the first to put the sugges tion to practical use, followed by Dr. Hentzman and others, until now it is quite extensive ly practiced. Dr. Fox of N. Y. has written a very concise and plain essay upon this and kindred subjects, issued in the Leisure Library Series. In this form of electrolysis only very weak currents are used. Most writers say that any good galvanic battery will do, but I think that the ordinary acid battery gives a current of too great quantity. A dry chloride cell, or a Leclauché or a Partz, would in my judgment be much better. A very small needle should be used, the finest and best obtainable, and flexible, so as not to break easily. Some operators prefer a platinum needle. It is certainly flexible and non-corrosive, but I prefer the fine steel needles furnished by the dealers. They are sufficiently elastic, and of different grades of fineness, so one can choose according to the work to be done, whether on downy hairs, or removal of a mole, wart, etc. The needle-holder is a simple but delicate insulated handle, with or without an interrupter. As making and breaking the current on the metal connections always gives a little shock, a plain handle might be preferable; but with an interrupter the operator always has the control more perfectly. The needle-holder is attached to the negative pole of the galvanic battery, the positive pole being attached to a sponge electrode, which is to be well wetted and applied to the cheek, the neck, or the hand of the patient. As the sponge rapidly loses its moisture, I prefer a bowl of water conveniently placed, connected with the positive pole, and have the patient touch the water with the tips of one or more fingers, as may be required. Have everything in readiness, insert the needle directly into the hair follicle, tell the patient to put the fingers to the water, and note the effect. If the current is too strong, the blanching of the tissue immediately around the needle will be very marked; if too weak, very little or no effect will be observable. The exact number of cells required cannot be stated. Experience must be the guide, but commence with three or four and add as needed. If an acid battery is used and the plates are bright and the fluid fresh, unless care is exercised, the face may be burned, before the hair is killed, especially upon a delicate skin. We do not want a caustic effect, but an electrolytic one. If everything is right the first thing noticed will be a slight redness, then a corresponding blanching, and in from ten to twenty seconds little bubbles of hydrogen will appear around the needle, looking like froth, and the hair should now come out with very gentle traction. If it does not, but requires force, let it alone and withdraw your needle. The probabilities are that it was not in the follicle. Do not operate twice on the same hair at one sitting; let it alone until next time and try one a little way from it. Do not operate on hairs close together at the same sitting. Be careful not to insert the needle too far, but just far enough to include the follicle. The operation gives some little pain, but not more, if as much, as having one's teeth filled, and most ladies say they do not mind it in the least, so anxious are they to have the beard removed. Some of the hairs may return, but by careful observation it is estimated that not more than five per cent. really reappear if carefully removed. New hairs may come that would in more or less time appear anyway, thus seeming to favor the idea advanced by some that electrolysis is uncertain. On the contrary it is most certain and satisfactory if skillfully done. less, sometimes more, are removed at each sitting From twenty to twenty-five hairs, sometimes pending upon their size and location. of from half to three-quarters of an hour, de trying to the eyes of the operator, so the pa It is a very delicate operation, exceedingly tient should sit in an easy position and a good light, face on the level with the eyes of the operator, both being comfortable in their positions. No blood should be drawn as a rule, although at times a small capillary will be punctured. Minute scars or cicatrices scarcely perceptible necessarily follow. Sometimes a soothing ointment is ordered, but generally the little punctures heal readily and rapidly without any application. One operator sometimes left the hairs in after using the needle, when, if they had been killed, they would fall out before the next operation. By passing the hand over the face the little elevations on the skin will indicate what hairs have been operated upon. These exudations will disappear in a short time, generally leaving no trace except the very slight cicatrices before alluded to. Objection has been made to the method that it acted injuriously upon the facial nerves. Whilst there may have been a very few cases where such a result seemed to follow electroly sis, the mass of testimony is against any such tendency. It has also been proven that as the blemish disappeared the general health of the patient improved; her spirits, before so much depressed, became buoyant, and other troubles, if present, yielded more readily to appropriate treatment. The operation may be repeated every day, or even twice a day, if time be of importance; but every other day is preferable, the number of sittings depending upon the amount of work to be done. Half hour sittings are, as a rule, long enough, as one's eyes get very tired even in that short time. A magnifying lens has been suggested, something like a jeweller's glass; but does not seem to meet the difficulty. A good light, easy positions, a steady hand, a delicate touch and proper instruments will insure success. It all seems very simple and easy, but it requires a great deal of care, skill and patience. One may insert the needle and whip out the hairs very rapidly at first, only to find that they were merely pulled out, and not electrolyzed at all. Again, too strong a current may be used, and wheals, ulceration and quite a cicatrix result. This is very likely to follow attempting to remove all or most of the hairs in a mole, or of operating upon hairs too close together at one sitting, even if the current be of the proper strength. WILLIAM H. WALLING. 1411 Arch street, Phila. Static Electricity in Debility. Editor MEDICAL WORLD: I would call Dr. J. J. Caller's attention to the use of static electricity for his case of sciatica-insulation, with sparks from one to two inches in length every day. If properly applied it will put an end to his pains and lameness. I am not one of those that believe that electricity will cure or help every trouble that flesh is heir to, but E. F. Guyon, M. D., has another case that can be improved, if not cured, by the use of the static induction current, with mild sparks along the spine, and appropriate treatment for the enlarged, ante-verted womb. Internally I would advise erythroxylon coca, strychnia and digitalis as tonics. I should diagnose his case neurasthenia, or general exhaustion, nervous, muscular and digestive. I have had splendid success with static electricity, where other kinds of electricity have failed. Though I keep the galvanic and Faradic batteries, the static is the one I rely on in nerve and muscular troubles. Topeka, Kansas. W. C. HAMILTON, M. D. The Edison Current for Galvanic or Continuous Current Work. Editor MEDICAL WORLD: In the Medical Record of March 31st, my esteemed friend, Dr. A. B. Carpenter, gave an account of the adaptation of the ThompsonHouston or Edison incandescent lighting system for use in physicians' offices. Those who have had occasion to use electricity to any extent realize fully the annoyance of caring for primary batteries; my own experience, extending over a period of eleven years, has been, possibly, more varied than usual, as I have employed batteries made in Europe as well as those by almost every recognized maker in this country, working them on an average of five hours a day. For those who are compelled to content themselves with the old fashioned and unreliable bichromate battery, those made by Fleming, of Philadelphia, offer, in my opinion, the fewest objections; but they cannot in any way compare with the advantages afforded by the Edison current. These may be summed up as follows: Freedom from all the annoyance of polarization, the renewal of elements, the changing of fluid, amalgamating of zincs, and the perfect constancy of the current, which never varies in voltage, and is ready day and night, and is absolutely safe, as the entire voltage passed through the system would be harmless. The device which I have had made for my purpose is a combination of wire and water rheostat, by which the current can be cut down to a fractional part of a milliampere, or the whole volume of the wire used. The form of rheostat commonly made is open to too many objections to render them worthy of discussion, the only reliable one in my estimation being that made by Hasler, of Berne, Switzerland (a description of which appeared in the March number of L'Electrotherapie); but in so much as to perfectly control the Edison light wire, a direct and shunt series of resistances are necessary. I have had made by the Michigan Electrical Works, of this city, a combined rheostat, in which both the direct circuit resistance and that of the shunt circuit are capable of being cut in or out at will. The only other accessory required (and to attempt the accurate or intelligent use of electricity without one would be as judicious as measuring morphine by the pinch) is a milliampere meter (Gaiffe, of Paris, or Fleming, of Philadelphia, are the best). The whole outfit can be got for a nominal sum, and is applicable wherever service can be obtained, or for use with any form of fluid cells which could be stored in a cellar, thus doing away with expensive switchboards. I should be glad to learn of others who have adopted this system; also to answer any questions on the subject, or in any way facilitate the intelligent use of an agent, which, no matter what our "hobby "may be, we must one and all admit to be a sina qua non of advanced science. DR. H. MONTAGUE. Detroit, Mich. A New and Reliable Remedy for Coccygodynia and Pruritus Ani. I have, for reasons I do not wish to speak of regarded this disease as purely neurotic. I have treated it with 'the Faradic current. One treatment produces immediate relief; a few treatments cure it. Three cells are sufficient; time, five minutes. The frequency of application depends upon the return of pain. The anode is placed over the sacrum and the cathode in the vaginia or rectum, or over the sphincter ani muscle. This treatment, so far as I know, is original with myself. 7 The Much has been written of late concerning the treatment of pruritus ani. I desire to add my own suggestion. The best remedy I have ever found is the galvanic current. The quantity required need not exceed five milliampères; the time of application, five minutes. relief is immediate, and the application once or twice daily is quickly curative. The anode is placed over the perineum, or base of the scrotum, and the cathode against the sphincter ani, or, if required, within its grasp, bringing all the pruritic surfaces between the poles. I claim to be the first, so far as I know, to sug. gest this remedy for the treatment of this disease. I will ere long have more to say of it. -R. Stansbury Sutton, M. D., in Philadelphia Medical and Surgical Reporter. Editor MEDICAL WORLD: Through your columns I would like to have some one to give me a successful treatment for facial neuralgia. I was called to Mrs. Btwo years ago with neuralgia. Her age is 47, weight 110 lbs. She has six children, youngest 4 years old. I have tried nearly everything, but no permanent cure. Antipyrin is the best thing to relieve her for a short time. She menstruates regularly. A year ago she moved to Southern Texas, where she was treated by several other physicians, who failed to give her any relief. She moved back in my practice a short time ago. I was called to see her and I found the same trouble. On one of my visits in 1887 I extracted the first molar tooth and explored the antrum and found no puss. Mansfield, Tex. J. S. WALLACE, M. D. Quiz Column. Questions are solicited for this Column. Communicationa not accompanied by the proper name and address of the writer (not necessarily for publication), will not be noticed. Editor MEDICAL WORLD: Will some one give diagnosis and treatment of the following case?. Mrs. P., aged 34 years, nervous temperament, quick in all her movements, blue eyes, light chestnut hair, the mother of five children, and has had two miscarriages. No bowel, kidney, or uterine disease; but had at one time slight ulceration of os, with perimetritis. Menstruation usually regular and normal. Nearly all her married life, at times when unconscious, remaining so ten or fifteen minvery tired, or during synusia, would become utes, during which time respiration would be regularly, and at the end of that time patient almost entirely suspended, but heart beating opening her eyes as if she had just awakened from a pleasant sleep. Four years ago had congestion of the brain caused by exposure to sun's rays, from which she recovered, remaining she began having attacks simulating gastralgia. quite well until two and a half years ago, when With severe pain in epigastrium, the muscles would slowly contract until you could easily feel the spinal column; at same time all the limbs drawn up, arms pressed against chest, and flexors of the body would contract, and with hands clenched, she would lie from five to twenty minutes in rigid tonic spasm, perfectly conscious, but suffering intense agony. The rigidity of the muscles was so great that a strong man could not straighten a limb. Any attempt to swallow liquids would be followed by spasm of the muscles of deglutition, and she would choke until her face became purple. Sometimes piercing pains in the left side near heart, or in the left occipito-frontal region. of head would terminate the spasms suddenly, and at others they would, in from two to eight hours, yield to hypodermic or rectal medication (as nothing could be taken per orem), to return again in from one to three or four days. Overwork or worry would bring on an attack sooner. During these two and a half years she has at times suffered from pressure in frontal region, accompanied by the piercing pains mentioned above, always in left occipito frontal region, and so severe and sudden as to cause her to scream out; and three times within the past year has had an attack like the following: After several weeks of constant pressure and the piercing pains, they become unendurable and she grows frantic, really insane during some portion of the day with suicidal tendency; her head becomes o dizzy that she takes to her bed and becomes unconscious, remaining so for seven weeks each time, during which time she has fever ranging from 100° to 104°; pulse feeble and 100 to 140; respiration shallow, and 40 to 45; pupils slightly dilated and not very responsive to light. For about four weeks can swallow liquids when put in her mouth slowly with a spoon, but for last three weeks have to depend entirely upon rectal alimentation. She is now in the fourth week of the third attack, which has every appearance of a repetition of the two former. During these seven weeks she never speaks or shows a sign of consciousness, but gradually "comes to life," as it were, with her mind properly balanced; but unconscious of all that has transpired during her illness. I shall be very grateful to any one who will throw any light upon this strange and puzzling W. W. ADAMS. case. Atkinson, Ill. Help Wanted for Obstinate Neuralgia. Editor MEDICAL WORLD: Mrs. B., age 40. Family history good. Highly neurotic excitable temperament. Subject to neuralgia of face and intense headache for I many years, with habitual obstinate constipa tion. The headache is now becoming more frequent and persistent, giving on of a few days interval of relief. Gradual loss of flesh. 66 Occasional emesis after food. Frequent pain in back, dark circles under eyes. Often an unpleasant earthy" odor of breath (as in gastric ulcer), menstruation always normal, but lately more frequent. No apparent uterine or ovarian trouble, (but this has not been inquired into.) During the attacks of headache, the slightest noise or jar causes pain. These symptoms have always disappeared during pregnancy. There are no indications of change of life. The head and back aches now occur every two or three days, and make her miserable. An Anomalous Case. Editor MEDICAL WORLD: BETA. I wish you or some of the readers of your valuable journal to give me the best treatment for the following case :-The husband tells me his wife has never experienced any sexual pleasure or gratification from sexual intercourse. Says she has no sexual propensities whatever. That she submits to his sexual appetite and pas The Doctor writes that he has received many kind replies regarding his request on page 430, Nov. WORLD, for which he desires to express his thanks. He further adds: "In some private communications, some of my brethren, say that I failed to give a complete and full history, and present condition of her case. For the further benefit of my wife will add, that her digestion is excellent, in absence of headache. pulse normal, about 76 to 80 per minute; her She has no "uterine," or "ovarian" `lesion, flesh and color is good, thought not of a full headache first presented, when she was 19 years habit. I stated in my former article that the of age, and has undergone but little change since. She became a mother only once, ing this will supply all deficiencies, will await some 13 years since and did well. Hoping further advice." Fairplay, Colorada. J. M. MOSENA, M.D. Albuminuria. Editor MEDICAL WORLD: I have been the victim of albuminuria for the last ten months. Can you suggest some treatment that will be beneficial? I have tried a great many remedies, but they do not produce any material result. I accidently discovered my condition; at the time I weighed 134 lbs. I was reduced to 119 lbs. in six months. I now weigh about 133 lbs. Specific gravity of urine was 1010 and now about 1018. I have had all symptoms of albuminuria, and have been considerably worried. My greatest complaint now is constipation. I seldom have an action from the bowels without taking some medicine. My general health is good. I look well, feel strong and I attend to my every-day affairs as usual. No casts were found Editor MEDICAL WORLD: I write you to-day for assistance in regard to the treatment of a case of diabetes insipidus, in a patient about 50 years of age. Trouble has existed some three years, has been treated some time by a homoepath; last few months by me. He improved for sometime nicely on rhus aromatica, tincture of squills and tonics, but now is as bad as ever. A few nights since he passed from 9 P. M. till daylight four pounds by weight of clear limped urine. Is much tormented by dryness of the mouth and thirst. General health aside seems good; appetite and digestion fair; bowels regular. I would like very much if you would be kind enough to give me some suggesstions as to treatment. have thought to put him on, Clemens sol. bromide of arsenic. J. M. KELLY, M.D. Nortonville, Kan. I [Doctor, ergot is your first remedy. Give it in doses of one-half to one drachm of a good fluid extract three times a day. When you have to rest a week from that put in the time with opium and gallic acid.-ED.] Treatment Wanted for Vitiligo. Editor MEDICAL WORLD: Mr. D. S., age 45, married, steady, temperate, uses no tobacco, father and mother still living; there is no trace of specific disease in the family. About three years ago he noticed white patches on his hands and neck. These patches vary from the size of a five-cent piece to an angular area of five or six square inches. During the summer months, when the hand becomes sun-burnt, the patches become more plainly visible. Have used liq. potass. ars. for months; used blisters over the spots already, but with no effect. The patient is very anxious to get rid of them, and, as he expressed it, he would buy a fine horse for me, if I would cure it. know any remedy I shall be pleased to try Now, if any of my professional brethren anything. DR. JOHN P. HILLEGASS. Pennsburg, Pa. |