I alluded, above, to a distinction between a _relaxed_ and an
_atrophied_ condition of an organ. There is such a distinction, which
should be carefully observed while treating parts so affected. An
atrophied muscle or organ becomes soft and flabby from lack of
nourishment. But this condition is not properly one of _relaxation_. It
is rather a diminution--a _thinning out_ of atoms, by wasting without
replenishment. Such a condition is always negative, and requires
treatment under the negative pole. On the contrary, relaxed parts, such
as appear in prolapsus uteri, and in the sagging down of the diaphragm,
with the thoracic and abdominal viscera, exhibit no lack of nutrition or
of vital action. Relaxation is a _loosening_ of atoms from each other,
more or less, without loss of aggregate weight; and implies a condition
electrically positive in excess, and calls for treatment with the
positive pole.