Injuries of nerves and their consequences - Reflex Sympathetic ...

246 INJURIES OF NERVES.
and the continuance of a larger supply of blood to the
inert tissues than would enter them if they were not incessantly
stimulated and subjected to those alterations of
temperature, rest, and motion which belong to the normal
state of limbs. When once the nerve is repaired,
it finds
the muscles in a far better condition to profit by this than
could otherwise have been the case. Electricity, in some
form, manipulation, and alternate hot and cold douches
are, therefore, the three means which I most rely upon to
relieve atrophy and muscular paralysis.
Ekctriciiy.— It would be out of place to attempt to give
here full directions as to the use of electricity, but it is
necessary to offer such partial hints as may
suffice to
guide the phj'sician called upon to treat the consequences
of traumatic nerve lesions.
The number of sittings need not exceed one every
other day, and when the physician cannot himself give
the time, it is quite possible to instruct an intelligent
attendant, so as after awhile to confide to such hands a
large share of these repeated applications, being careful
to impress upon the patient the necessity of using a less
powerful current as the case improves.
From fifteen to
thirty minutes are required on each occasion, and a certain
method should be followed, no matter what form of
electricity be used.
In hospital practice, or where the physician has control
both of galvanic batteries and the induced current, the
question as to their relative utility in traumatic palsies
may present itself. As regards this, there is but one distinct
practical rule. Whatever form of current will best
act on the muscles is the one to be made use of.
The interrupted or rapidly reversed galvanic current,
from ten to forty cells, will frequently excite the muscle
when induction currents have lost their power, so that
late in bad cases galvanism is usually to be preferred.