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NEURALGIA

Categories: Diseases of The Nervous System

Pain occurring in the course of the nerves and in their area
of distribution. The pain has remission and intermissions, and is due to

some morbid affection of the nerves of sensation or their spinal or

(brain) centers.



Causes. The affection may depend upon some functional disturbance alone;

or it may be due to some organic disease of the nerve or to some disease

or diseased state outside of the nervous system. I
occurs more frequently

in women past the middle-age, in those of a nervous tendency. As stated,

it affects women more than men. Debility is a frequent cause. Neuralgia is

frequently associated with the various forms of anemia. It may occur at

the onset of acute diseases like typhoid fever. Exposure to cold causes it

in susceptible persons. Decayed teeth may cause neuralgia of the fifth

nerve. It also occurs in rheumatism, gout, lead poisoning, and diabetes.

Persistent neuralgia may be a feature of hidden Bright's disease.



Symptoms. Pain is the chief and characteristic symptom. It may develop

suddenly and without warning, or soreness or stiffness in the tissues

surrounding may precede it. There is a burning or violent sensation in the

course of the affected nerve, increased on exertion in acute cases. In

other cases the pain comes intermittently or in paroxysms, and is of a

darting, stabbing character, or accompanied by tingling sensations. There

may be a want of sensation of the skin in the affected region or

over-sensitiveness over the entire nerve-trunk with certain painful

points. The attacks of pain may come only at long intervals of time, but

usually they occur every few minutes and last for some hours. Pain may be

continued for hours or days in severe cases. In rare cases it may persist

for months or years, being worse at a certain time each day, especially in

cases where malaria exists. There is paleness or congestion of the part

affected, various eruptions, and changes in the color of the hair occur

and, in advanced chronic cases, symptoms of interference with the general

nutrition also occur. Spasms of the adjacent muscles may accompany the

severe paroxysms.












Varieties. Neuralgia may be classified according to its causes, as

neurotic, toxic, rheumatic, etc.; or according to its location as

trifacial, intercostal, sciatic, and so on, Exposure to cold, mechanical

irritations, tumors, pressure on the nerves, and wounds may lead to

neuralgia. It is more frequent in cold and damp climates than in dry and

warm locations; everyone should remember the causes.



MOTHERS' REMEDIES. Neuralgia. 1. Lemon Juice as Liniment for. "Cut a

lemon in two and squeeze juice on parts afflicted and rub in, then place

hot cloths over it. I know this will cure the pain." This is very good.



2. Neuralgia, Salt and Vinegar Will Relieve. "A small sack of hot salt

applied to the pain, or steam with vinegar." The heat from the salt is

very effective and the moisture of the vinegar is also very good. This

simply produces a counter irritation.



3. Neuralgia, Quinine Will Cure. "Use quinine three times a day." It is

well in taking quinine to take two grains three times a day for two days,

then take some good cathartic, so as not allow the quinine to remain in

the system. This is very beneficial, especially when neuralgia is due to

malarial conditions.



4. Neuralgia, Four Ingredient Remedy for.



"Oil of Peppermint 1 ounce

Oil of Mustard (strong) 1/4 ounce

Vinegar 1 pint

White of one egg.



Beat egg and stir all together."



5. Neuralgia, Good Liniment for.



"Essential Oil of Mustard 1 dram

Tincture Aconite 1 dram

Glycerin 1 ounce

Alcohol 4 ounces



Mix and shake well before using."



This remedy is a valuable external preparation for all nervous and

neuralgia pains, rub twice a day until relieved.



6. Neuralgia, Menthol Liniment for. "One dram of menthol liniment, two

ounces of alcohol. This makes a very excellent liniment for many purposes.

For rheumatism, neuralgia, headache, etc." This liniment will be found

very beneficial as the menthol is soothing and quieting, and we all know

that alcohol is very good to be applied for any of the above mentioned

diseases.



7. Neuralgia, Belladonna Plaster for. "Melt three ounces of rosin plaster

and add one-half ounce of extract of belladonna. An excellent application

in neuralgia and rheumatism."





PHYSICIANS' GENERAL TREATMENT for Neuralgia. Remove the cause if

possible. If from anemia, give tonics for that and try to cure that

disease. Tonics with good nourishing food, and proper surroundings are

needed for anemia. In malaria, syphilitic or gouty patients,

constitutional treatment must be given for those diseases before the

neuralgia will be better. The systematic use of galvanic electricity,

properly used, is the most valuable means at the physician's disposal,

especially in the descending current, beginning with the mild current and

gradually increasing in strength. Internally: Arsenic, bromine, ergotinc,

aconite, gelsemium, valerian, ether, cannabis indica and quinine are

recommended. Opium may be used in the very severe forms, but it must be

used with caution, or you will make your patient a drug fiend, and his

latter state will be worse than the first condition. Wet compresses, vapor

baths, cold affusions, wet cloths, are highly recommended.



1. For the Cure of an Attack--



Antipyrine 30 grains

Citrate of Caffeine 20 grains



Make into ten powders. Take one everyone-half hour until 3 doses are

taken. Three (3) doses at least should relieve the neuralgia.



2. Antipyrine 30 to 60 grams

Bromide of Potash 3 drams



Mix: and make into ten powders; one every thirty minutes until relieved or

until six doses have been taken; this is better than the first

prescription when there is much nervousness with the neuralgia or

neuralgic headaches.



3. If caffeine in first prescription causes nervousness, give this one:



Antipyrine 30 to 60 grains

Citrate of Caffeine 10 grains

Bromide of Potash 3 drams



Mix and make ten powders. Take one every half hour until relieved or until

six doses have been used.



These are very effective prescriptions, but if a person has any heart

trouble I would not advise their use except under a physician's care.

(Sometimes a patient with neuralgia gets desperate, and he will even

resort to morphine). Antipyrine is one of the simplest coal tar remedies,

and most persons can safely take it. Persons who are subject to neuralgia

or headaches need to take good care of themselves. Get plenty of rest and

sleep. Neuralgia at first can be cured, but when it once becomes chronic,

especially neuralgia of the face, it is hard to cure and frequently makes

life a constant misery. Plenty of outdoor life is essential. In that way

the system will be built up, and when the body is strong the disease can

be thrown off much easier. A great many people depend too much upon strong

medicines. Medicines are all right in their place, but all the medicine in

the world cannot cure a person unless that person does his or her part.






SPECIAL DISEASES. Facial Neuralgia. (Neuralgia of the fifth pair of

Cranial Nerves. Also known as Trifacial Neuralgia. Neuralgia of the

Trigeminus. Tic doloureux, etc.). This form is more frequent than all

other forms combined, this nerve being peculiarly susceptible to

functional and organic disorders. All three branches are very rarely

affected together, the ophthalmic (eye) branch being most often involved.

The symptoms depend upon the branch involved.



1. Ophthalmic Neuralgia Pain, (eye neuralgia pain). This pain is above

the eye, or frontal kind, with a special painful point at the supraorbital

(above the eye) notch. Sometimes the pain is very severe in the eye-ball.



2. Supramaxillary Neuralgia. In this the pain is along the infraorbital

(nerve beneath the eye) nerve, and there is a marked tender point at the

opening in the bone (infraorbital foramen) beneath the eye. A

toothache-like pain in the upper teeth is common in this variety.



3. Inframaxillary (lower maxillary) Neuralgia. This is characterized by a

scattered (diffused) pain along the inferior dental (teeth) branch, and

extends from the temporal (side forehead) region over the side of the face

to the chin, with pain in the lower teeth and side of the tongue. The pain

in this nerve may come on without any special cause, or it may come after

excitement of a physical or mental nature. Disorders of nutrition occur.

The circulation is interfered with and the face, at first pale, becomes

red. Eruptions may appear along the course of the nerve, while salivation

and "running" (lachrymation) of the eyes are often prominent symptoms.

Spasms of muscles of the face (tic doloureux) may accompany the paroxysms

and this is the most terrible form of nerve pain. The attacks may be mild

or very severe and sometimes sudden. This is a terrible disease,

especially when it has existed for some time. A person with severe pain in

the face should always attend to it immediately, before it becomes

chronic.



Treatment. It is directed towards removing the cause, if possible.

Chronic cases are difficult to cure. The patient should be careful not to

take cold, keep strong and healthy by regular hours for sleep, good

sufficient clothing. The general health must be improved. These directions

apply to all kinds of neuralgia.



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