The exact measurement of the electric current, and other practical points in the destruction of hair by electrolysis : with especial reference to the use of the absolute galvanometer / by Morton Prince.
- Morton Prince
- Date:
- 1886
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The exact measurement of the electric current, and other practical points in the destruction of hair by electrolysis : with especial reference to the use of the absolute galvanometer / by Morton Prince. 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.
13/18 (page 9)
![/ fifteen cells of a go»cl working battery, unless a great resistance is offered by the circuit, which cannot be known without an absolute galvanometer; and, accord- ing to the experience of the writer, a wheal should never be produced. Any current which produces a wheal, especially one that is white and sharply circumscribed, is too strono-. Fui-thermore, 1 believe it to be abso- lutely essential that the needle should be inserted directly into the follicle and through the papilla, but not beyond if possible, if cicatrices are to be avoided. The writer has made numerous experiments to determine what strength and duration of current gives the best results. Before stating the specific conclu- sions arrived at, the following general principles may be laid down. The weakest possible current of the shortest possible duration compatible with efficiency in the time at the operator’s disposal should be used. ]f there is much work to be done, less time can be given to each individual hair. But the stronger the current and the longer its duration, the greater cer- taint}^ of after inflamniation and scars. On the other hand, with very weak currents, saj^ under one-half milliampere, the time requisite to destroy the hair-bulb is too long for practical purposes, especially if there is much to be done; for the stronger the current the shorter the time needed, and vice versa. As a matter of experience, and as the result of numerous observa- tions, I have fouiid that a current of one milliampere, passing from two to three seconds, is the best. It should be not less than one-half nor more than two milliamperes. With one-half milliamjtere it can be easily done, but takes longer. Such a current is, })crhaps, to be preferred if only a few hairs are to be destroyed. AVith more than two milliamperes pustules and scars are almost sure to result. It must be understood that the stronger the current, the shorter](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b22311361_0013.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
