Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-09-30
NEURALGIA.

mornings and doubtful ewes. little
while ago we sat. pcrspiring, with the
thermometer at 9O0; to-day it is 65o.
These changes rack the human frame in
many ways; but the most torturing, the
most subtitle inhiction they bring is that
increasing American scourge named
above. The reason for the prevalence OF
neuralgia is very simple. Modern life
exctcs the nerves, and brings them INTO
play more than that of hundred years
ago. 1t is not that we think or study too
much. The mere amount Of work does
not kill, but the fact that it is unbalanced
by any thing which would bring the cir
cuating and muscular systems into rela-
tive play. A man or woman may study
or leel great deal more than one mag
ines, without i'll effect, il only half as
much exercise or amusement is taken.
Not as much, for that is TO exhaust the en-.
lire body by living three lives 1T once
organs are taxed to their maximum, the
other systems must lower their action to
accommodate it. Here many people
make the grand mistake of their lives.
They study or think hard-and it is just
rs much for many women TO plan and
care for their households rs for their
daughters to study mathematics from
hall past five in the morning till ten at
night. The brain-work in many cases is
more intense.
You understand now, perhaps. why
good many women have weak nerves?
Just remember, will YOU As we were
saving, they work hard with their minds,
and think they must work with their
bodiesijust as hard to counteract the effect.
| No. IT YOU are tired in the brain you
must not let your muscles grow tired too.
Use them moderately. If YOU are at
housc-work, or caring for children all day,
don't try To make business OF translat-
ing or sludyinga ut your leisure. Amusc
Yourself with the change, but never
weary Yourself. Ambition or necessity
may urge YOU to do so, but it is at your
peril. Peril OF what? Just that Of hav-
ing your nerves, which are the weakest
part of your system, so disorganizcd that
they respond TO these cooling airs OF Sep
tcmber days with the most terrible tor
lures No disease intlicts scverer pain
! than neuralgia. Cancers, intlammations,
cholera, consumption can only equal this
domestic scoulgc i'll pain and, If it were
not brief and interrupted, no disease would
be moro fed from. The pain of amputa.
tion is only that of neuralgia extended in
dura,ion-not in amount. Neuralgia is
an Inflammation Of the sheath OF the
nerve, so that each pulsation has the effect
of knife striking the centre Of feeling
and, if it were not fol the mcrciful law OF
the periodiciiy of pain, one can imagine
how this would Alily end. 1t must
not be confounded with rheumatism or
toothache. The pain is more electric
than either, and shoots rather than aches
or Jumps. II attacks the head and face
usually, rs the more exposed parts of the
body and near the great nerve centre of
tho BRAN. Toothachc proceeds from de-
cayed teeth, and can only be cured by
killing the nerve or drawing the tooth
which ends the pain at once. Chronic
neuralgia is quite another thing, and does
often attack the teeth.
But my business is lathcr to give the
cure than the pathology of this disease.
To cure it, we must begin before it comes
on, which is better practice than logic
The weakness of the system which allows
neuralgia must be toned to endure the
coming cold. As the days grow cool put
on flannel; yes, and light fires; yes, t"r
there is nothing so intolerable TO this neu-
ralgic condition as chilly state. Start
fires in August il you feel the want OF
them. But begin TO brace the system by
bathing. Two symptoms always attend
ncuralgis-a cold skin, and digestive dis
| turbance.
venture TO say nobody ever gets neu-
ralgia without first letting their circula-
ton and digestion run down. Iniamma-
ton can not exist with pure and lively
blood, unless from all outward wound
Chills are intolcrable; so immcrse your.
self daly-at night is good timc-in
bath as hot rs can bc borne. Pcrsprc
freely in this for fifteen minutes, keeping
the head wet with cold water to prevent
fantness, turning on the hot water rs the
bath cools. Then, when you are icverish
and actually long for GOODNESS, rise in the
bath. and sponge yourself from basin
of cold water, slipping on your vest rs
soon rs your chest is dry, but not taking
your feet out Till the last minute. Step
on an old blanket to keep your feet from
the cold floor, draw on your warm clothes
in hurry, and go right to bed. The
blissful slumbcr that follows will do
much to iortify your nerves. If you can
have room at furnace. heat take cold
bath in the morning. Wear long. slecvcd
vests and drawers; for nothing is more
dangerous than cold arms and legs. Eat
such food as you crave, which will be in
most cases beef soups, eggs. and we'll
cooked vegetables. Try tomatoes and
Graham crackers if you can possibly eat
4. 81 e hut