DC, the "old"
technology
According to the old archived information at www.electrotherapymuseum.com
Direct Current treatment of tumors and infections was the most
common method used by doctors between 1900 and 1930 before chemical
medicines became the new medical fad. I have been going thru their
booklets and have copied some of the most pertinent info here for
you to take a look at. How sad that they forsook DC treatment of
tumors with a 70% success
rate (30% complete tumor destruction and 40% tumor reduction)
for chemotherapy that has only a 7%
success rate.
But first here's a great quote from Albert
Einstein:
Any fool can make things
bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -
and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite direction.
Galvanism- the therapeutic application of
electricity to the body. Also a term used in old literature to refer
to application of direct current to the body.
Used
and Highly Endorsed by Many Physicians
The use of
a Galvanic and Contractile Currents Generator, for the two purposes
mentioned is, of course, not wholly new. Galvanic machines have been
in use for more than 30 years (since 1907), both in this country
(USA) and in Europe. The galvanic current [direct current] was in
fact the first known useful electro-medical current. Scientifically
timed and proportioned waves [AC current], however, are of recent
development.
Why a Galvanic and Contractile Currents
Generator
The number of physicians today using
galvanic and contractile currents generators is very large. Many
report that results are quite successful. That is why it is, in our
judgment, fair to say that most every physician needs one of these
units in his office. The list of ailments or conditions where the
use of such a unit is indicated is very large.
H G
Fischer Archive - Low Voltage Therapy
It has been
established irrefutably in thousands of cases that many conditions
respond favorably to Low Voltage applications after complete failure
under other therapies.
Positive Pole-
induced acidity, repels metals and alkaloids, attracts acids and
halogens, influences vasoconstriction, coagulent,
sedative
Negative Pole- induces
alkalinity, repels acids and halogens, attracts metals and
alkaloids, influences vasodilation, hemorrhagic,
irritant
It is of interest to note that the physiologic
effects derived from the Positive Pole and the Negative Pole of the
Direct current are exactly opposed to each other. Thus, in the
therapeutic concept, no chemical reaction can be induced from an
Alternating current because any effect created by one pole is
promptly neutralized by the counteracting effect of the opposite
pole following immediately in the constantly recurring alternating
sequence. Hence, the physiologic reactions, previously outlined, may
be traced solely to one or the other of these two Basic Currents, as
follows:
1. Chemical effect only ..... Direct Current
2.
Simultaneous chemical and contractile effects ..... Direct
Current
3. Contractile effect only ..... Alternating
Current
Therapeutic Fundamentals
Low
Voltage procedures may be grouped into three general
categories:
a. pH Influence ("Medical Galvanism") or Ion Transfer
("Iontopheresis")
b. Tissue destruction by Electrolysis
c.
Muscle stimulation
With the exception of Electrolysis,
all treatments are conducted with two wet pad electrodes in skin
contact to introduce the current. In Electrolysis, one wet pad in
skin contact and one bare metal electrode are employed. Unless Ion
Transfer is indicated, the electrodes should be wet with tap water
only. The addition of salt, soda or similar substances merely tends
to crystallization upon drying, and an increase in unpleasant skin
pricking when again moistened.
Thorough saturation of wet
electrodes is required. The most certain method is soaking in warm
water for at least ten minutes before use. Excess moisture can then
be expelled by squeezing the electrode lightly.
In all
applications the current intensity should be increased slowly. The
skin sensory effects experienced at the beginning of a treatment are
due to inherent resistance of the skin which lessens under the
influence of the current. Thus, the dosage can be increased
gradually as the skin resistance decreases with virtually no
sensation or discomfort.
Any abrasion of the skin in the
field of electrode application must be protected to avoid
concentration of the current at such a point due to the lessened
skin resistance. A coating of colledium, tape or any other similar
expedient suffices.
If the polarity influence of either of
the Direct Current poles is to be used, a wet electrode of
relatively small surface area, hereinafter designated as the
"active" electrode, is connected to the selected pole and applied to
the area to be treated. The opposite Direct Current pole is
connected to a wet electrode of greater surface area, hereinafter
termed the "dispersive" electrode, and applied at some remote part
of the body to complete the
circuit.
"Electrolysis" implies the
destruction of tissue by means of the chemical action of the Direct
Current when concentrated in relatively large volume on a
comparatively small area.
"Positive Pole - Acid reaction",
"Negative Pole - alkaline reaction". These are the characteristics
upon which the principle of "Electrolysis" for tissue destruction is
based. By concentrating the Direct Current on a small enough area,
the formation of these caustics may be created in sufficient
intensity to destroy tissue.
A similar procedure [to hair
electrolysis] is used in the obliteration of Hemorroids. In this
instance another type of needle, designed for this particular
application, is inserted into the Hemorroid as the Negative "active"
electrode and a larger Positive "dispersive" wet electrode is placed
under the hip to complete the circuit.
There are two
paramount reasons for using the Negative pole for these and similar
"Electrolysis" procedures. First, it has been noted that the action
of the Positive pole "repels metals". Hence, the movement of ions
from the needle into the tissues creates a "tattooing" which
certainly must be avoided. Secondly, it will have also been noted
that the action of the Positive pole is "coagulant". If the Positive
pole is used in contact with mucosa, the coagulant effect causes
sticking of the bare metal electrode in contact with the tissue to
the point that the area may be denuded of tissue in attempting to
remove the instrument [electrode].
Electrodes must be
maintained in firm contact with the patient's skin throughout the
treatment period. This may be accomplished by placing the electrode
under the reclining patient, by weighting with sand bags, by
retaining with rubber bandage or any similar expedient.
If
the electrodes tend to dryness during an extended period of
treatment, the water, or other indicated solutions, may be
replenished conveniently from a syringe of the Aseptic type. The
solution is added very slowly at the exposed edges of the
electrodes.
[Electrolysis of warts with negative pole in
wart as steel needle, positive pole as 6"x8" wet pad.]
Duration:
2 to 5 milliamperes for 1 to 3 minutes, or until hydrogen bubble
appears at point of insertion of needle.
Modern Medical Use of Direct Current approved by
the Government of the USA
Iontopheresis is the medical
use of a small direct current to heighten the ionic drug delivery in
and through tissues of the body. The ionic drugs penetrate the skin
from the electrodes by the current of the same polarity measured in
milliamperes (mA). The amount of electrical current is normally
around.5mA for each square centimeter of electrode
surface. (The maximum electrical current of the Eliminator is
only.06mA/cm2 which is 1/8th of .5mA/cm2.) The systems of Iontopheresis
have been approved and in use for more than 20 years.
Introduction of Ions Into The Body Using
Direct Electrical Current.
http://www.mhhe.com/hper/physed/athletictraining/powerpoint/chappower/Chap%206-%20Iontophoresis.ppt
A
Painless, Sterile, Noninvasive Technique Demonstrated To Have A
Positive Effect On The Healing Process.
Increase
intensity slowly until patient reports tingling or prickly
sensation. If pain or a burning sensation occur then the
intensity is too great and should be decreased.
When
terminating treatment intensity should be slowly decreased to zero
before electrodes are disconnected.
Patient should be comfortable
with no reported or visible signs of pain or burning.
Check skin
every 3-5 minutes looking for signs of skin irritation.
Decrease
intensity during treatment to accommodate decrease in skin impedance
to avoid pain or burning.
To ensure maximum contact of electrodes
skin should be shaved and cleaned prior to attachment of the
electrodes.
Do not excessively abrade skin during cleaning since
damaged skin has lowered resistance to current and a burn might
occur more easily.
Negative ions accumulating at the positive
pole or anode produce an acidic reaction through the formation of
hydrochloric acid and produce softening of the tissues by decreasing
protein density which is useful in treating scars or
adhesions.
Positive ions that accumulate at the negative pole
produce an alkaline reaction with the formation of sodium hydroxide
and Produce hardening of the tissues by increasing protein
density.
Selecting the Appropriate Ion:
- for Inflammation
(positive voltage electrode as "active")
- for Scar Tissue
(positive voltage)
+ for Spasm (negative voltage)
+ for
Analgesia (pain-killing) (negative voltage)
+ for Edema (negative
voltage)
+ for Open Skin Lesions (negative
voltage) |
