[Electric blockade of sympathic and somatic nerves through the skin (author's transl)]

A model was conceived and tested which enabled the investigation of the objective effect of transcutaneous nerve stimulation using various kinds of stimuli. The most effective stimulus was then used in an investigation of clinical conditions where sympathetic blockade may be helpful. It was seem to be quite effective. In the wake of these good results the same type of stimulus was used to influence other thin fibre nerves which conduct pain. After grading 2800 cases of chronic pain according to the scale of Picaza-Shealy-Ray electrostimulation decreased pain in 59% of cases overall or in 61% and 35% of cases of benign or malignant origin, respectively. These results seen on a long-term control basis are generally obtainable and reproducible if the criteria put forward in this paper are followed rigidly.