Page 425 - My FlipBook
P. 425
!
EXTRACTION BY ELECTRO-MAGNETISM. 421
have been disposed to assume that, when properly
employed, it would, in the majority of cases, miti-
gate pain, and, in many, obviate it altogether
;
others, after having thoroughly tested it, as they
affirm, maintain that it does not produce insensibility
to any appreciable extent, and consequently does not
relieve the pain, but that, at most, it only complicates
the sensations, the pain of the tooth-drawing becom-
ing involved in the confusion of other feelings, so that
the patient can hardly decide whether he has been
definitely hurt or not
In using this agent for the process of extracting
teeth, the susceptibility of the patient to its influence
must be carefully regarded. Some persons are so
peculiarly constituted that an electric current is al-
most intolerable to them ; while others will receive a
strong current with pleasurable sensations. To the
former, the electricity would be as painful as the ex-
traction of the tooth; but to the latter, when properly
applied, it mitigates, and in many cases altogether
obviates, the pain. The reason of this difference in
its action is not very clearly understood. Several
theories in regard to it have been advanced, but
none of them sufficiently plausible to challenge con-
viction.
Again, the manner in which, and the condition of
the parts to which, this agency is applied, are to he
EXTRACTION BY ELECTRO-MAGNETISM. 421
have been disposed to assume that, when properly
employed, it would, in the majority of cases, miti-
gate pain, and, in many, obviate it altogether
;
others, after having thoroughly tested it, as they
affirm, maintain that it does not produce insensibility
to any appreciable extent, and consequently does not
relieve the pain, but that, at most, it only complicates
the sensations, the pain of the tooth-drawing becom-
ing involved in the confusion of other feelings, so that
the patient can hardly decide whether he has been
definitely hurt or not
In using this agent for the process of extracting
teeth, the susceptibility of the patient to its influence
must be carefully regarded. Some persons are so
peculiarly constituted that an electric current is al-
most intolerable to them ; while others will receive a
strong current with pleasurable sensations. To the
former, the electricity would be as painful as the ex-
traction of the tooth; but to the latter, when properly
applied, it mitigates, and in many cases altogether
obviates, the pain. The reason of this difference in
its action is not very clearly understood. Several
theories in regard to it have been advanced, but
none of them sufficiently plausible to challenge con-
viction.
Again, the manner in which, and the condition of
the parts to which, this agency is applied, are to he
