General Directions Of The Current

Categories: PRINCIPLES OF PRACTICE.
Sources: A Newly Discovered System Of Electrical Medication

Negative affections, as a general rule, are best treated with the

upward-running current--the positive pole being placed at a lower

point than the negative. Inflammatory affections, and other plus

conditions, for the most part, should be treated with the down-running

current, keeping the negative pole at a lower point than the positive.

But these rules admit of frequent exceptions, which every practitioner's

experience will soon reveal.



The downward current, running with the downward and outward course

of the nerves, tends to depletion and weakness, for the reason that

it runs off from the system the electro-vital fluid. The upward

current, on the other hand, running against the nerves, inward towards

their source, feeds the system with fresh electricity, and gives a

tonic effect. Yet for this purpose, it must not be too long continued,

nor of too severe strength, lest it overtask and irritate the

nerve-sheaths.



In treating a paralyzed organ, the current should commonly be run from

a healthy part, whether that require it to be directed downwards or

upwards. For example: In treating a paralyzed foot or leg, the positive

pole should be upon the lower part of the spine--at the coccyx--or even

under the sole of the opposite foot. It is best to alternate between

these positions. So in treating a paralyzed hand or arm, let the current

be run from the upper part of the spine, and frequently also from the

opposite hand. With the negative electrode, treat all over the

paralyzed parts. Yet it is well, in these cases, often to reverse the

direction of the current for a brief period at the close of the

sittings, say one to two minutes, for the purpose of rousing the nervous

susceptibility, and to prevent exhaustion from too continuously running

off the electro-vital fluid.