The value of electrical treatment / by Julius Althaus.

  • Althaus, Julius, 1833-1900.
Date:
1895
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The value of electrical treatment / by Julius Althaus. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

    15/114 (page 7)
    spilling, or acid vapours, or other inconveniences connected with the use of the battery. Only two batteries are at present generally used which fulfil the conditions just mentioned, viz. the Leclanch^ and the chloride of silver cell. In the Leclanche cell (invented in 1868) zinc and carbon are in contact with a concentrated solution of ammonium chloride and pyrolusite, or native peroxide of manganese, which acts as the depolariser. When the cell is in action, the ammonium chloride solution is decomposed, and the nascent hydrogen is absorbed by the oxygen of the pyrolusite, while chlorine combines with zinc, and ammonia is set free. The Leclanche cell is superior to any other where a stationary battery is required for the consulting-room, as it is very constant, provided the cells have a large surface. A battery which Mr. Schall has fitted up for me had lost very little of its electro-motive force after three years' almost daily and often prolonged use. A good dry cell is now made which is even more constant than the old liquid cell. The electro-motive force of the Leclanche is i'48 volts, while its internal resistance varies according to the size of the cell from 0*4 to 1*5 ohms. The chloride of stiver cell consists of zinc, silver, chloride of silver and a diluted solution of ammonium chloride. Chloride of silver is the depolariser and forms chloride of zinc, while metallic silver is deposited in a finely pulverised state. This cell is, on account of its lightness, particularly suited for portable batteries, for depolarisation is very complete, and the cell can therefore be made very small without becoming inconstant. The original Warren de la Rue cell (invented in 1868), had an electro-motive force of I'05 volts, while Scrivanow's modification gives i'4, and Schall's as much as i'6i volts, while the internal resistance is small. The recent modifications of this battery will remain in good condition for several years. A battery giving from 40 to 60 volts will generally be found sufficient. It is useful to have it provided with a