First ascertain if the kidneys be morbidly positive--urine scant and too
highly colored. If so, as is commonly the case, begin with the B D
current, good medium force. Place N. P. at the pelvis, and treat over
the kidneys with P. P. some three or four minutes. Let this be the
commencement of every treatment until _this_ difficulty is corrected.
Next, change to A D current. If the disease be located in the hips or
lower limbs, put the feet in warm water with the tin electrode N. P., or
place the sponge-roll N. P. at the soles of the feet, and treat with P.
P. upon and a little above the affected parts; using such force of
current as the patient can bear. The pain will commonly subside under
treatment. If the disease be as low as the ankles or feet, use the _long
cord_ with N. P.
If the shoulders, arms or hands be affected, treat them on the same
principles as are prescribed for the _lower_ limbs; using the _long
cord_ with N. P. when the disease is below the elbows.
When the disease is in the hands or feet, or near to them, if the
shoulders or hips be not involved, it is often necessary, after three
or four treatments as above described, to _reverse the poles_ for a few
moments, giving an ascending current; but still using the _long cord_
with N. P.
If the disease be located anywhere in the trunk, neck or head, treat the
affected part with P. P., placing N. P. on some adjacent part of the
spine, and usually at a point somewhat _lower down_ than the disease.
For acute inflammatory rheumatism, treat once a day. The length of time
for each treatment must depend on the location and extent of the
affected part or parts. In this matter, the practitioner must decide for
himself, or infer from the time prescribed in the treatment of other
inflammatory affections.