NEURALGIA.--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. It 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.
[262 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
[Illustration: The Nervous System.]
[NERVOUS SYSTEM 263]
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.