Electrochemical aspects of treatment of tissue with direct current.

In the electrochemical treatment of tissue with direct current the main reactions at the anode are the formation of oxygen in addition to acidification due to liberated hydrogen ions, and formation of chloride, if platinum is used as anode material. At the cathode hydrogen is formed and hydroxide ions are liberated. Calculations have been made for the two major anodic reactions. As a first approximation just one-dimensional diffusion is considered corresponding to the use of plate electrodes. It appears from these calculations that the liberated hydrogen ions determine the extension of the locally destroyed zone around the anode. The destructive effect of chlorine probably occurs in an inner zone close to the anode.