'High-Frequency Currents in the Treatment of Some Diseases'

Book entitled ‘High-Frequency Currents in the Treatment of Some Diseases’ by Chisholm Williams, Rebman, London, 1903. Book features author's hand written revisions for second edition.

In the introduction to his book, Chisholm Williams, says that originally, he was sceptical about the usefulness of high frequency electrical currents. After extensive trials, he became convinced of their benefit in disease such as diabetes, gout, chronic rheumatism, obesity, anaemia, and pulmonary tuberculosis. He describes the apparatus for electrotherapy including the induction coils and a couch that could also give mild electric currents. Electrotherapy was a popular treatment until the 1900s.

Chisholm Williams (1866-1928) was an early adopter of X-ray and electrotherapy. Within weeks of hearing about the discovery of X-rays in 1896, he managed to take an X-ray of his fingers. he was in charge of the X-ray department of West London Hospital and lectured in radiology. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corps as captain and electrotherapeutist. Due to the prolonged exposure to X-rays, when their dangers were unknown, led to Williams’ hand being damaged and two fingers on his other hand amputated.