The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1904-11-17
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Dy DAVID q. READER. p. D.. ND.
Ia Porte, Ind.

1t is wise to know as much as pos
sible about the various kinds of neu-
ralgia, and be prepared to treat each
kind successfully, because there are
numerous characteristics to the pains
of neuralgia; and the same kind of
treatment does not apply equally to
all. Whether all of the different kinds
OF pain come from the same original
predisposing cause or not remains yet
to be proved. A superficial view would,
however. tell us that there are as many
causes as kinds, and some might think
that different method Of cure was
required in each case; but this Is not
true. In the case cited in recent
lecture the contraction of the muscles
OF the head was what caused the
nerves to cry out in pain, and we
found that as soon as moist heat re-
laxed the muscles the pain was gone.
Now there may be a case where there
has been no chill from draught or
anything else; but some actual trouble
in the state of the bone, or some vio-
lent affection of the nerves of the
tONSh anu law vi DO 10
sometimes the case. the nerves of the
arms or legs, the pain occurring
periodically and with the most intense
suffering. In such case we are di-
rected to- the spinal column. from
which so many of the nerves branch
out over the body; and in this case
we find cold to be the remedy. The
nerves in this case correspond to the
wires of the telegraph. carrying mes
sages to and fro. They have been too
active and became heated, or at least
this is good comparison, and cooling
them gives the required relief
Take case such as once had of a
strong man of middle age who for a
year or more had been afflicted this
way. Thirty minutes treatment with
the cold compress to the spine. repeat
ed every other night for a week, eff
fected completed cure. Twitching of
the muscles ceased almost instantly,
and feeling of comfort followed the
first shock to the skin.
Cold Compress.
Procure four large towels, two of
them Turkish. If they are to be had
conveniently; keep the latter dry.
Fold them lengthwise to- about four
ply. Place the other two towels in
cold water until they are of the right
temperature; wiring one of them out
and fold IL lengthwise in eight ply, and
lay 1t on the dry Turkish towel Then
nlnninU n Lot hn
sufferer lie down full length of the
spine upon this. with the cold. wet
towel next to the skin. The pain is
quickly reduced. but returns as the
heat of the body warns the towels.
We then, say in about two minutes.
repeat the process with the other two
towels, changing them thus for per-
haps 80 or 40 minutes, when the pain
will. in most cases, have disappeared,
not to return for day or so at least.
In finishing the process of cooling
the spinal nerves it is wise to first wet
the back gently with hot vinegar or
diluted acetic acid and then, with
warm olive oil or vaseline. rubbing
the lubricant well into the skin. ma
niplating the flesh in all directions and
as deeply as possible. This frees the
circulations and keeps the nervous
system in the state to which it has
been brought. and gives sense of
great comfort.
Tobacco and Neuralgia.
There are cases in which these SIM
pie remedies seem to be OF no avail;
and to these we must now pay some
attention. Sometimes ! do not at all
pity a man who is suffering all sorts
of pain that has been brought on by
the use of tobacco or alcohol, and
feel like saying: you bargained for
this; now pay the price"
But such sufferers are never willing
that the blame should rest where it
belongs, and as a rule they are pitt
full objects of cowardice regarding
pain. A great, strons man will groan
and moan, and even cry with pain, and
II. when he Is well, his wife should
happen to meke little complaint, al
though suffering actually much more
than he, he will make some brutal re-
mark about her babyishness or laugh
at her. The use of tobacco and alco-
hol not only Injuries the nerves beyond
permanent. repair. but 1t blunts the
sensibilitles, and In many cases
changes otherwise refined gentleman
into a coarse, sensual brute. Such
people usually have I euralgic pains in
great violence when tuey do come, and
they will prove vsry different SUBJ
ject from the individual who Is not
artificially creating tie mischief which
the treatment is fitted to remove.
There has been an alternate deadening
and irritating of the nervous system.
resulting in great loss of sensibility
in one direction and accumulations
and irritations in the other.
The mere cold, wi lch reduces the
violent action OF the nerves, which
have not been so treated, will not so
readily effect a cure Ia this case. But
1t will go far enough 20 show its heal
ing power; and II tie artificial mis-
chief-making Is aband oned the distress
may be relieved. IL, however, the evil
effect OF the narcotics and stimulants
has gone SO far that great loss of
vitality is manifested, 1t may be nee
essary to use heat to the spine, in
stead of cold. Take as a case in view
that OF habitual user of both tobacco
and liquor who is reduced to such a
point that there is numbness In his
toes and in the head. The mode Of
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