OBSTETRIC GYNECOLOGICAL SOCIETY IN BERLIN Meeting December 11, 1891

Bröse demonstrated a new vaginal electrode that he made for such electrical applications where one wishes to take advantage of the pole-to-pole current. The electrode consists of a clay cylinder with a circumference of 9 cm, which is inserted into the vagina in exactly the same way as a tubular mirror. In this clay cylinder is placed a metal cylinder, equipped with numerous holes, which has a screw at its outer end to strengthen the conductor. After the introduction of the clay cylinder, a metal cylinder is inserted into the vagina, and the clay tube is filled with warm water. The wet clay cylinder is an excellent conductor of current and replaces the skin electrode made from a sponge. If this cylinder is inserted into the vagina for a length of 8-10 cm, then with a circumference of 9 cm, it will correspond to a flat electrode of 72-90 sq. Cm. This electrode is intended for use where one wants to concentrate the current density in more than one place of the vagina. but evenly distribute the current over the pelvic organs. It is used more where, when using strong galvanic currents, they want to avoid the cauterizing effect on the vaginal mucosa, which easily occurs when spherical electrodes are used, despite being wrapped in cotton wool. Finally, it is used where one wants to obtain an interpolar (so-called catalytic) effect. The patient, when using this electrode, tolerates perfectly well currents of 80-100 MA, while cauterization of the vaginal mucosa is not obtained.