NEW ELECTRICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 219, 10 June 1919, Page 6

NEW ELECTRICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE

Electricity, as is well known, plavs a large part in the treatment of disease, but its usefulness in diagnosing faults and breakdowns in the human Jnachine is less familiar, except in the case of Xrays for the detection of fractures and foreign bodies. Several ingenious electrical instruments have been invented anil manufactured in Great Britain tor giving accurate records of tho heart's action and of the temperature of the body. AVlien a current of electricity is passed through tbo body between the extremities of tho limbs, the contraction of tho heart alters tho strength o l ' the current. By an ingenious arrangement this alteration is made to record itsolf on a photographic plate. A "cardiogram" is thus secured, which gives a diagrammatic account of tho heart's action and enables the physician ta detect conditions which wight escape other means of detection. In talcing temperatures, the usual method is lo insert a thermometer at intervals and to ''chart" the .record, drawing straight lines between the points ascertained. With the up-to-date electric method, the record is continuous, showing t' e slightest. variation from minute to minute. Much new light has been thrown on the course of ferers and other diseases by this electrical Vecord, winch represents yA another contribution oTßritisn scientific and engineering skill to tliq advancement of the healing art.

Mr. Edward Brown estimated, at an International Poultry Conference in London, that Europo had lost 180 million fowls during tho war. He advocated the produotion of more and very much better poultry.,