The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-02-18

lection of Alcohol.
5ecting alcohol into the branches Of
the fifth nerve.
Tri-facial neuralgia is not a neuritis.
of its etiology little is known, Dr. Dun
can explains in the New York World
We do not know what it is. Up to the
present time the prognosis has been
poor as far as relief or recovery Is
concerned. NeurOlogists Of the old
school have long been accustomed to
palliate their cases with morphine and
strychnine to the limit of endurance,
and then to hand them over to the sur
geon for operation on the gesserian
gangion, with its Disbursements, dan
gers and doubtful efficacy, knowing
full well that in many cases regenera-
ton Of nerve tissue will occur and the
pains return.
DR.. Plat, in discussing Dr. Bodine's
paper at the Academy OF Medicine,
said: THE pains of tri-facial neural
gia are the most frightful of all pains,
and the second and third branches Of
the fifth nerve are the most common
divisions affected" He said: The
second and third branches are the
most exposed to bacteria, moisture
and varying temperature in the mouth
and nose, and it may be that this has
something to do with the extraordi-
nary sensations. All other sensory
nerves are protected. None other is
SO exposed"
In this new treatment for tri-facial
neuralgia the operation performed
aims:
First: To inject two cubic cent?
meters of IS per cent. alcohol into the
third division of the fifth or the SUI
perior maxillary nerve as it energies
from the foramen rotundum, but not
through the foramen, as alcohol is de-
structive OF brain tissue as well.
Second: The injection Of two GU
bic centimeters of rs per cent. alco-
hol into the second division Of the
fifth or the inferior maxilIary nerve
as it emerses from the foramen ovale.
The needle here comes closer TO the
brain than in the other injection.
Third: The injection of two cubic
centimeters of alcohol into the first
or ophthalmic nerve as ii energies
from the sphrenoidal fissure. The re-
suits of this operation have been 80
disastrous in it's immediate effects
that it has not been performed very
often; however, there have been no
serious final results.
In performing the operation the skin
is first injected with solution Of co.
caine After the operation a drop Of
ccllodion serves as dressing The so
luton used for the first injection is
rs per cent. alcohol: if any subsequent
injection is necessary 80 per cent. al
cohol is employed.
The pain returns after an injection
in about Ia months; this is about time
for regeneration Of the nerve tissue
to take place. The paroxyms Of re-
currence are never so severe as the
paroxyms before an injection.
There is no record of systemic dis
turbances following the operation, as
shock, rise in temperature, headaches,
vomiting, etc.
There have been ne fatalities, and
all have been relieved so far, and the
relief has been immediate.
After a few minutes the tormenting
pain of years disappears entirely, and
the patient walks out of the Office
smiling.
One patient gained 10 pounds In
four months following the operation;
all are most grateful.
All who have followed the history of
these cases and know how frightfully
these patients suffer and what little
relief medicine has offered, will wei
come a treatment that promises in.
slant relief and which is comparative.
ly simple and safe in the hands of an
eXnerienCed operatOr.