[mod. Lat., f. ELECTRO- + Gr. τόνος tension: see TONE.] The modified condition of a motor nerve under the influence of a constant galvanic current. Also in anglicized form Electrotone.
1860. New Syd. Soc. Yr. Bk., 52, Title, Contributions to the Physiology of Electrotone.
1878. M. Foster, Physiol., I. ii. 2. 59. The nerve, both between and beyond the electrodes, is … in a peculiar condition known as ‘electrotonus.’
So Electrotonic a. [see -IC], relating to or characterized by electrotonus; also (in Faraday’s use), the epithet of the peculiar electrical state characteristic of a secondary circuit in the electromagnetic field. Electrotonicity [see -ITY], the condition produced by electrotonizing. Electrotonize v. [see -IZE.], to produce electrotonus. Electrotonizing vbl. sb.
1832. Faraday, Res. Electr., § 60. I … have ventured to designate it as the Electro-tonic state.
1873. A. Flint, Nerv. Syst., iii. 116. The electrotonic condition.
1881. Maxwell, Electr. & Magn., II. 174. The Electrotonic State.
