Vigo County Historical Society

Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - October 26, 1986
By David M. Buchanan
Executive director
Vigo County Historical Society

Book details turn-of-century medicine

The book is small, measuring only 5 by 7 inches with l27 pages, and bound in a cheap, red-cloth cover. Its pages are an off-white and about the same weight as those of grocery store bags. Yet, "The Electro-Therapeutist" provides its reader with a fascinating glimpse at a medical treatment offered at the turn-of-the-century in downtown Terre Haute.

The title page states "Electro-Therapeutist. The modern treatment of Stricture, Prostatitis, Urethritis, Ceptitis, Fistula, and Ulceration of the rectum by Electrolysis and Cataphoresis." It was written by E. W. Smith, M.D., M.E., of Terre Haute, and was copyrighted in 1901. The book was published by Moore and Langen Printing Co. in 1902.

Elijah W. Smith's offices (according to the City Directory) were located in Room 214 of the Rose Dispensary Building, a large stone structure that stood on the northwest corner of Seventh and Cherry Streets. Smith's home then was in the 600 block of Poplar Street.

He stated in the preface of his book that he was submitting the paper to the medical profession the true "status of electrolysis in the treatment of Stricture, Prostatitis, Cystitis and Urethritis." He went on to write that he was basing his experience on many years of clinical experience with upwards to 2,000 cases involving the use of electrolysis as a treatment.

Smith used electrical rods inserted into various body cavities, and, through the small electrical charges, "dissolved" various obstructions to relax and soften indurated tissue.

People had believed in the therapeutic value of electricity long before machines were invented to create it. Physicians of ancient Rome referred to the therapeutic value of electric shock from the torpedo fish to cure gout and pains in the head.

Otto von Guericke, a German physicist, made the first electrical machine. It consisted of a sulphur ball turned by crank on an axis and excited by the friction of the hand. The year was 1650.

By the 18th century, machines were producing electricity, mainly as a curiosity. But even then people were experimenting on its uses with the body. One belief was that it stimulated the body senses. In the courts of Europe it became popular for couples to each hold one pole of the electrical machine, and then, while making sure no other portion of their bodies touched, to kiss each other's lips. The resulting electrical spark passing between the lips was supposed to enhance the experience.

As electrical apparatus became more and more prevalent and more powerful, electricity was used, often with terrible results, as a form of medical treatment. Smith was well aware of electricity's medical detractors because he states, "Electricity, like most potent therapeutic remedies, has been no exception to the rule of having had its over-enthusiastic advocated, who at first, when it was least perfect, and before it has been placed upon a systematic and scientific basis, claiming for its properties beyond its field of utility, and would therefore supplant every other mode of treatment, to be followed with an egregious failure."

He went on to say that a serious student of electro-therapeutics study under an expert for a minimum of six months or a year to lay the foundation for success.

Smith's book is primarily filled with written pages, but there are nine drawings of patients suffering or being cured under treatment. There are also three photographs showing the interior of Smith's office.

Smith's books contain some of his case histories and his methods of cure. It also has a few monographs written by other doctors about the various diseases of the body which Smith felt he could cure or help. That his practice was successful is proved by the City Directory. He spent over 20 years in his offices in the Rose Dispensary.

"The Electro-Therapeutist," a small book, cheaply made, probably read only be a few professionals after it was published and then relegated to a forgotten shelf, now gives a fascinating look at one of the medical practices of the past.

The book, removed from its forgotten shelf, was placed in a box of other old books to be sold at the Vigo County Historical Society's flea market or to be thrown away. Its historical worth was recognized and it now may be found in the society's reference library.

Smith's paper is still being presented "in as concise manner as practicable. . ."

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Friday.