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In 1743, Johann Gottlob Krug is known to be the first recorded, to use electricity as a medical treatment. He believed that electricity could be a treatment for palsied limbs due to his knowledge regarding the role of electricity in contracting muscles¹.
The theory of electricity being used for all medical treatments was then further advocated by John Weasley. However, this was quickly rejected by mainstream medicine².
It wasn't until mid 19th century, that electrotherapy was reintroduced into mainstream medicine by Golding Bird. This lead to experimenting with electrotherapy to more measured doses².

¹Erika L. Janik, Matthew B. Jensen (2016) Every Man his own Electric Physician: T. Gale and the History of Do-It-Yourself Neurology . Journal of Neurological Research and Therapy
²“Electrotherapy.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Nov. 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrotherapy

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Types of Apparatus Used in Electrotherapy

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Types of Apparatus Used in Electrotherapy

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Electrical Bath: The electrical bath was used mainly in the 19th century as a medical treatment. A frictional electrical machine was usually used to generate electricity. An electrode from the generator, or from electrostatic induction was used to charge patients with electricity. Usually, 30-50 kV of electrical tension was applied, and the treatment last for many hours¹.
Leyden Jars: The Leyden jar was invented in the 18th century, and became common in the 19th century. Leyden jars insulate two conductors and then electrical charge¹.
Oudin Coil: The Oudin coil is able to generate high voltage and frequency electricity as low currents. In the 1890s, physicians made use of this when wanting to apply high-frequency currents to patients¹.
Pulvermacher's Chain: Resembling the appearance of a belt, Pulvermacher's chain consisted of batteries and electrodes. The electrodes were zinc and copper. An electrical current was applied to individuals wearing the belt¹.
¹“Electrotherapy.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Nov. 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrotherapy

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The late 19th century was the rise of electrotherapy. It was believed electrotherapy was the cure for everything. Golding Bird, British physician was well known for using electrotherapy as a treatment plan for conditions such as chorea, forms of paralysis, opiate over dose, hysteria, and also to bring out menstruation in women¹.
Electro shock therapy had also become common. Quack practitioners used this method and said that it could cure anything¹.
In Milan, at Maggiore Hospital, electrotherapy was being used to treat rabies. Between the year of 1865, and 1866, 4 patients with rabies were experimented on with electrotherapy. This included individuals from 2-40 years old².
One of the patients, a 40 year old man was the first experimentation. During this experiment, the electrotherapy treatment went on for 11 hours. In this 11 hours, there were 18 applications with the applications increasing each time. The patient's symptoms had seemed to decrease during the early applications, but later returned along with h delirium, anxiety, agitation, increased salivation, flushing, and pharyngeal spasm. The patient died at the end of the treatment within a few hours. However, they continued on with further experimentations².

1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golding_Bird

² Marinozzi S;Gulino M;Gazzaniga. “Electrotherapy in the Treatment of Patients Affected by Rabies: Experiments Conducted at the ‘Maggiore’ Hospital of Milan in 1865.” Acta Medico-Historica Adriatica : AMHA, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28038493/.

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Electrotherapy in the Hands of the Public 

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Electrotherapy in the Hands of the Public 

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With the increasing popularity of electrotherapy, the public also began to view electrotherapy as a cure for everything.  Instruments used for electrotherapy soon began to reach the general public. The Pulvermacher's chain was being commercialized, eventually becoming one of the most successful products. The public began to view the chain as a  "magic band". Companies began to advertise the product as an unparalleled invention in medical history. The companies also did not advise the public against side effects¹.
Electrotherapy products came in all sorts of varieties including the belt, hair brush and socks. Eventually, the medical battery was introduced. The medical battery was comprised of battery and an iron core encased in a wooden box. This provided a direct and alternating current. This device use low levels of electrical stimulations to the body and was used to treat many diseases. All known electrotherapy instrument manufacturing companies advertised the medical battery as family use².

¹ “The Strange Victorian Fashion of Self-Electrification.” BBC Future, BBC, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170215-the-strange-victorian-fashion-of-self-electrification.
² A;, Wexler. “The Medical Battery in the United States (1870-1920): Electrotherapy at Home and in the Clinic.” Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28335017/.

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Guillaume Boulogne and Facial Expressions

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Guillaume Boulogne and Facial Expressions

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Physiognomy was a trend in the 19th century. This inspired Boulogne to study the role of muscles in facial expressions. He believed that facial expressions were linked to the soul of an individual. Furthermore, he believed that the face was a map and could be arranged into taxonomies of mental states¹.
Boulogne built a faradic shock instrument and used the electrical probes on individuals to trigger muscle  contractions¹.
During his research, Boulogne noticed severe progressive muscle weakness among 13 boys. This was later found to be a disorder and was named Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

¹“Duchenne De Boulogne.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Aug. 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duchenne_de_Boulogne.

2 “Duchenne De Boulogne.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/biography/Duchenne-de-Boulogne.

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Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a method of pain relief where low-voltage currents are used. It causes pain relief by either stimulating higher levels of endorphins or by stimulating cells that block pain signals¹.

TENS can reduce both chronic and short-term pain. TENS can be used for conditions such as osteoarthritis, peripheral artery disease, lower back pain and much more¹.
Some individuals will not be suited for TENS procedure. These include pregnant individuals, those with epilepsy, cancer or a bleeding disorder. Those with implanted device should also not use this procedure¹.
TENS may significantly reduce pain in many. Some can use the procedure alone, while others use this procedure along with pain medication¹.

1 “Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS).” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15840-transcutaneous-electrical-nerve-stimulation-tens.

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Luigi Galvani is known as the pioneer of medical electricity. Galvani developed an interest in the field of medical electricity and soon began to research the relationship between electricity and nerves. He began to experiment on frogs. During his research, he attributed muscle contractions to electrical stimulation¹.
While Galvani believed electricity can be generated within the nervous system, he competitor, Volta believed electricity comes from an external source. Galvani was correct and due to him electrotherapy was brought to light.
For this reason, Galvani would be the best individual to be my docent.

“Luigi Galvani.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/biography/Luigi-Galvani.