The Newtown bee., 1879-07-09
NEURALGIA.
A Family Doctors Plain Advice to Suf-
 fercrs from this Complaint.
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fercrs from this Complaint.
 Little need is there to describe the symptoms of neuralgia, whether it takes the form of tic-douloureuX or face-ache, hemicrania or halfheadache Sometimes but wrongly called sum- pain), or sci ntica, in which the pain follows the course of nerve running down the back of the leg, even at times as far as the toes. The pain when fully estab- lished is of a terribly acute kind, and in- describable burning and shooting-tor- ~'lre, in fact. Itgenerally comes on with out any warning at all, in one sharp twlnge, which soon recurs, and keeps on increasing, till the poor patient is half distracted, and his pale, anxious face is beaded with precipitation.
 Of the three kinds of neuralgia the most common by far is tic, or face-ache. This pain seems to (" come out" as l have heard patients describe it, from 8 spot between the ear and temple, and spread itself over one side of the face, adown the jaws, along one side of the nose, and into the eye itself. The fits of pain seem at times induced by the most trihing causes, such as a sudden start, . loud quick sound Gas the slammlng of
 door), or the slightest draught Of cold air. mouthful of hot tea or cold water. Someti nes the patient will get ease If he keeps in bed, with the face entirely buried in warm soft flannel, but contact with the pillow will at once induce paroxysm. Sleep banishes the pain en- tirely for the time, or perhaps altogether, if the slumber has been natural, and not induced by weakening, enervating mar coties. srs@ .l
 Now let us see for moment what are the usual causes of neuralgia. If we know these it will assist us materially in laying down rules for the general treatment of the complaint. And here let me premise that some cases are in curable, because they depend upon pres sure by tumors of some kind at the growing into it. For remember the nerves are extremely sensitive if pressed upon directly. A kinder-hearted man than Professor L., of Aberdeen, or .'Sandie,n as he was familiarly termed, never lived; but he used to say to us studerts: Gentlemen, in cutting down upon ;ln artery in one of the extremities, you will often find the artery, the vein and the corresponding nerve lying in juxtaposition. You can easily tell the vein, but you may be puzzled to know which is nerve and which artery: give one of them, then, 8 slight pinch with the forceps; ifiti is the former, oh won't the patient hollow! but if he doesn't hollow, go on, tie away" And I've often seen this put in practice with the very happiest results, so far as the oper- ator was concerned: l merely mention this to prove to you that pressure on the root of a nerve may cause an incurable form of neuralgia. But do not think that wish to Tighten you. I therefore hasten to tell the perhaps afflicted reader that these cases are very rare indeed, and that the large majority of those who suffer from the malady may be cured for the time, and the disease even pre- vented from returning.
 l said that very often neuralgia gave no warning, but came on suddenly; but it more often comes on gradually, and is preceded by some derangement of the general health, such as indigestion. From this fact, again, the wise may take ahint. As
 l do not say that strong men with TO- bust constitutions never take neuralgia, but all my experience, and that be- lieve of nearly all medical men, go to prove that it is more frequently an ac- compartment of a weakened frame of body, with a nervous system below par. This may have been occasioned by bodily fatigue combined with want of sleep, anxiety of mind, worry, etc., or from de- bility from whatever cause. But I must not forget to say that indigestion is a frequent cause, and excess in eating hIlu COIlDIIlttl WIbll HUG IIOuES inNhot rooms. Another hint, please, reader: foul air, especially living in malmious districts, will also bring on neuralgia. and in this case the attacks are generally of periodical kind. The great majority, however, of the cases of neuralgia which come under the notice of the practitioner are caused by decayed teeth. And this fact gives us hint num- Der tbree. @
 Sciatica nasas arc at tip,ac evrpadipo oIv distressing. I shall just mention one which I cured not long since; and we may learn something from it because the cure was so simple. A gentleman thirty two years of age he was, spare but wiry; from errors in diet elicited, he had be- come troubled with indigestion and heart burn, which lasted for months and, moreover. he had quite his own share ot that heart-eating canker, care. For the heart-burn he was in the habit of swal- lowing large quantities of the biearbon- ate of soda. Now it is well known that antacids, although they may palliate fits of indigestion, cannot cure them; and, moreover, the constant use of an antacid like soda never fails to bring on state of debility and poverty of blood. In the present case the pains in the limb were almost constant, combined with stiffness of the muscles, which necessitated the use of a staff in walking. At about three or four o'clock every morning there were paroxysins of the most terrible agony, during which the patient would leave his bed, because, he said, "it wasn't level" and. rolled in rug, lie at full length on the floor, bathed i'll pain-in- duced perspiration. It was no wonder he was glad to take that dangerous mar cotic, hydrate of chloraA to give him quiet nights. But this only reduced his system more and more, and gave the enemy stronger bod thereon. When I saw him he had been suffering thus for two months, and wasindeed in a pitiable plight. But giving up both the chloral and the soda, going for change of air, using some simple tonic and being care- | d I.