NOTHNAGEL, in his classical work,[9] recognizes this theory by excluding from his book the term “therapeutic effects” altogether. Where he finds it necessary to say anything of the physiological effects of a remedy, in addition to those “on man in health,” he speaks—still under the head of “physiological effects”—of those “on man when sick.” When, setting aside its empirical employment, we come then to inquire what it is that furnishes us with the true indications for the use of a remedy, analysis of the question leads us invariably back to its physiological effects. If I have failed nevertheless to include the few effects which I am about to touch on, under the head of “physiological effects,” I have done so simply in compliance with universal usage, and as a matter of convenience for reference.
I will now, without further digression, proceed to the consideration of those effects of electric baths not yet enumerated.
As a fitting precursor to the enumeration of the therapeutic properties of the remedy under consideration, it may be well to dwell for a moment on what is among its most prominent characteristics; I have reference to its great value as a
In explanation of this, I will state that in a very large number of cases of disease of an obscure nature, and where, to be candid, the electric bath was employed empirically, or, if you please, tentatively, it has served to point out the _locus morbi_. The number of cases in which I have made this observation, has been sufficiently large to establish beyond a doubt the fact, that as a rule the electric current makes itself more decidedly and often even painfully felt in any part where a morbid condition exists; whether this be of an inflammatory, neuralgic, rheumatic, traumatic, congestive or other nature, the result is the same. It appears to be somewhat analogous to the “tenderness on pressure” that we find present in many of these conditions. In _anæsthesiæ_ even the current makes itself conspicuous by the _absence_ of its normal effects. The value of this will at once be recognized in connection with a method of electric application which at one and the same time acts on every portion of the body. Local electrization is accompanied by like phenomena, _when we happen to strike the right spot_. The superiority of the bath as a means of diagnosis is found in the circumstance that here we _must_ touch it.