NEURALGIA OK " TIODOULOUREUX " OF THE LIVER. 25 



animal, and of organic life ; one from the brain, the other 

 from the spinal cord, or ganglionic system. 



PHYSIOLOGICALLY speaking, the activity of the centri- 

 petal nerve is manifested by the aid of the sensorium, as 

 a conscious sensation ; and by the intervention of the 

 spinal cord, or ganglionic system, as, reflex action ; this, 

 when excessive, is called " hypenesthesia ; " and when 

 below the average, " anaesthesia." 



The character which these neuralgic affections have 

 in common, is exalted irritability, and increased 

 irritation of the sensitive or centripetal nerves. The 

 expression of such irritation is either mental, one of 

 consciousness, a sensation, or motor; a reflex move- 

 ment or both may occur at the same time. 



The sensation differs according to the peculiar activity 

 of the nerve of sensation ; the same difference presents 

 itself in the neuroses <>f sensibility. Whether a cuta- 

 neous nerve, or a nerve of sensation supplying a muscle 

 or an organ of sense, be affected, each retains the 

 peculiar sphere of sensibility in disease with which it is 

 t-ndowed in health. 



CLINICALLY, it is of the first importance to be able 

 to diagnose as to whether the seat of disease be 

 ttftta ripforal; and in making such distinc- 



it is further necessary that the term peripheral 

 be correctly interpret <!, and m>t, as is too often the 

 case, confined to the ultimate ramifications of the nerves. 

 A nerve can only be considered as < KM UAL when it is 

 imbedded within the substance of the brain, the spinal 

 cord, or tin- iraiiLrlia ; where its fibres are surrounded by 

 ; ionic corpuscles, and submerged in thi-m ; the term 

 should only be applied to a nerve, from the 



