Feeding Through the Skin.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4344, 3 December 1908, Page 2

Feeding Through the Skin.

METHOD OF ADMINISTERING FOOD iTO PATIENTS UNABLE TO EAT

NEW ERA IN' MEDICINE.

A new method of giving food to patients too ill to take nourishment m the ordinary way has been discovered. Cataphoresis ” is the name given to the invention, and its author, Dr Moigan Dockrell, says: “lunhesitatingly claim that this discovery inaugurates a new era in medicine.” ~ The skin has thousands of mouths, and the problem Dr. Dockrell has solved, after twenty years of study, is how to administer food through these myriad “ mouths ” when other methods tad. “ Cataphoresis —the term was first used by Dubois Raymond—is a performance of work by the electrical current in the process of electrolysis, which however, has no connection with the actual electrolysis, said Dr D ockrell^__,_ Since 1847 certain medicines hau-Mk-j introduced into the human electrical currents, and it has been found that these cuirents set up a movement m the direction as the current of the tiny particles of matter known as molecules, and it is this process which is termed “cataphoresis.” “ During the last twenty years I have been working at cataphoresis,’ Dr Dockroll states, “ ivlth, in a very large number of cases, the most satis actory results, for which I and many medical men and patients throughout |the country can vouch

SKIN ABSORBS FOOD.

The method of treatment is as fol-

lows: — ~ . An ointment containing medicine or food is first smeared over some convenient part of the body, such as the arm or hand, the natient holding in his hand an electrode attached to the positive pole of a battery, in which is placed a sponge saturated with carbonate of soda. In the other electrode a wet sponge is fixed, leaving dry the free end. which comes into contact with the ointment* The dry end is then “ rubbed gently over the greasy surface, when the medicament is rapidly absorbed by the skin. “ Yirol, a preparation of bone marrow with!malt egg, and lime is. quickly absorbed, and is highly nourishing. But the treatment is not only useful for introducing food in cases where the patient might otherwise starve. It has also been used with great success in treating baldness. ..... In these cases a hypodermic injection in the arm of a drug called “ pilocarpm is made, and cataphoresis employed localise the action of this medicine to tho VALUE.

“More recently,” Dr Dockrell said, '“ I have applied an ointment of pilocarpin to the scalp and put it in by t e direct method of cataphoresis, with goo results.” . Speaking of the general aspects ot the discovery, Dr. Dockrell said : “ Just for a moment think what this thing means; what are its possibilities and what it promises. “ Take for a moment into consideration those diseases where it is ot vital importance the mucuous membrane Shan have, so far as is compatable with tne preservation of life, absolute and eii ir rest. Here lies salvation. . “ By cataphoresis the patient may receive nourishment and ™ 81l ?S standard of health is incalculable. . It can also be used, the doctor. pointed out, where the loathing of medicine ha almost become a mama, and it at once does away with that difficulty.