26 JOURNAL OF THE [January, 



HAY-FEVER: ITS TREATMENT PHYSIOLOGICALLY 

 AND PATHOLOGICALLY CONSIDERED. 



BY DR. N. C. HUSTED. 

 {Read December Tth, 1888.) 



That Hay-Fever belongs to the Neuroses, has become an 

 established fact ; and, when the most eminent of our recent 

 writers on this subject have brought forward such overwhelm- 

 ing proofs to show, that it is an affection of the nervous system, 

 it seems folly to entertain any theories or ideas appertaining to 

 its pathology, etiology or treatment, which are not based on a 

 neurotic hypothesis. To the layman's mind it may seem 

 strange that eminent writers should not come to any agreement 

 concerning this troublesome affection ; but, notwithstanding the 

 fact that the nerve-theory has placed Hay-Fever on a new 

 foundation, from which we may feel assured many bright super- 

 structures will arise, yet many questions come before us, which 

 will give rise to much future discussion. 



In recognizing Hay-Fever as a nervous affection, certain 

 questions naturally arise from such an hypothesis : 



I. Is Hay-Fever of Neurotic origin ? 



II. If so, does it begin primarily, {a) in the central nervous 



cells, {b) in the nerve-trunks, or (r) in the terminal organs ? 



III. Are pathological lesions present ? 



IV. Is there an inflammation of the mucous membranes, giving 



rise to nervous hyperesthesia ? 

 In the New York Medical Record oi July 14th, 1888, Dr. B. 

 O. Kinnear, of Boston, gives an interesting paper, in which he 

 states, and endeavors to prove, that Hay- Fever is a disease of 

 central cell origin. His argument shows deep study and a logical 

 train of thought, and, although believing his premises to be 

 faulty, I think the article adds greatly to our literature of the 

 subject. 



. c 



Explanation of Plate 15. 



Human nerves and mucous membrane as related to Hay-Fever.— wj-wi., nvm, mucous 

 membrane ; «c, spinal cord ; eg, Casserian ganglion ; opli, ophthalmic 

 nerve ; /, frontal branch ; w, nasal branch ; /, lachrymal branch ; sm, 

 superior maxillary nerve ; gp, glosso-pharyngeal nerve ; p, pneumogastric 

 nerve ; sp, superior pharyngeal brancn ; si, superior laryngeal branch ; ft, 

 bronchial branch. 



