After tubercles have been formed _extensively_ in the lungs, and have
_softened down_ over considerable area, carrying down the pulmonary
tissue with them into a state of pus, there is commonly but little hope
of successful treatment. But where they are restricted to comparatively
small extent, and no ulceration exists, they may be decomposed and
absorbed away, or be thrown off in expectoration, and the affected parts
be healed.
If the case be a _recent_ one, and acute fever, combined, perhaps, with
more or less inflammation, appear in the lungs, use the A C current, in
moderate force, yet all the patient can bear without special distress.
Place N. P., _long cord_, upon the upper dorsal vertebrae for treating
the upper part of the lungs, or upon the lower dorsal vertebrae for
treating their lower part. Then pass P. P. over all the affected parts.
Treat in this manner five to eight minutes, daily, until the
_inflammation_ is suppressed, which will be indicated by an abatement of
the extreme sensitiveness and lancinating pain under the electrode.
Then, if _feverish_ action continue high, remove the N. P. to the
coccyx, or to the lower part of the sacrum, taking the B D current,
_mild_ force, with cords of _equal length_, and treat, as before, with
P. P. over the affected parts, and also over the thorax generally, and
along down the spine to the lower dorsal vertebrae. Continue this
treatment ten to fifteen minutes, daily, until the fever is removed, or
nearly so. For this part of the treatment, it is best to use the hand as
the P. electrode, and to diffuse the current over the whole palm of the
hand wherever special soreness appears. It is better, also, that the
patient receive the treatment in bed, secure from any chilliness or
current of air, so as to facilitate perspiration.
If the case be one of long standing, and more or less of _pus_, or _pus_
and _tubercles_, be raised in coughing, take the A D current, with equal
cords and _very_ mild force. Reduce the quantity of battery fluid if
necessary. Now place P. P. at the coccyx and treat with N. P., (the
hand is here much the best), over all the diseased parts. Change
occasionally by removing P. P. to back of neck with _long cord_. The
object is to bring the diseased parts under a very light force of the A
D current, such as is especially healing in old ulcers and chronic
irritation. But if this action should at any time _increase_ fever or
inflammation in the lungs, the poles must be reversed for one or two
treatments. In this stage of the disease, treat ten to twelve or fifteen
minutes, daily, for three or four days, and after that, three times a
week.