Additional experiments on the excitability of paralysed and healthy limbs by the galvanic current / by R. B. Todd, M.D., F.R.S. (Physician to King's College Hospital).

  • Todd, R. B.
Date:
1853
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Additional experiments on the excitability of paralysed and healthy limbs by the galvanic current / by R. B. Todd, M.D., F.R.S. (Physician to King's College Hospital). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    The first trial with galvanism was made on the 3d of May, two days after her admission, with the Cruickshank's battery! With twenty-five plates, and a direct current in the right or paralysed arm, very feeble contractions were excited in that side; distinct ones in the left, or sound side, although in it the current was inverse. On reversing the current, the contractions became very vigorous in the sound arm,' and were scarcely perceptible in the paralysed. With fifty plates, very distinct contractions were excited in both arms; those of the sound side, whether with the inverse or the direct current, being always obviously the stronger. A second trial with the galvanic current was made on the 15th. Her mental functions had much recovered, but the palsy remained in statu quo. The results of this trial were precisely the same as regards the comparative effects of the galvanic current on the two sides; the only change being that a little more power of contraction was exhibited on both sides, which was probably due to an improved state of the patient's general health. On the 17th, these experiments were repeated with the same results. On this occasion, an arrangement was adopted, by which the current was divided, and made to pass down each arm as a direct current. Thus each arm was, at the same time, similarly affected by the galvanism. The contractions were invariably stronger in the sound than in the paralysed limb. When the current was inverse, the contractions on both sides were very feeble, but more pain was excited, and greatest muscular action in the sound limb. The palsy in this case was caused, in all probability, by white softening of the left side of the brain, due to defective nutrition, and possibly there might have been slight haemorrhage into the substance of the brain. The patient remained two months in the hospital, and partially reco- vered the power of the limbs. Case vi.—John Shea, set. 44, admitted April 4, 1849, a bricklayer, and of intemperate habits. Going down by
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