NEURALGIA OR " TIC-DOULOUREUX " OF THE LIVER. 31 



they consulted ine ; three were radically cured, and two 

 wonderfully relieved. In the treatment of hepatalgia 

 we must be guided in the selection of our remedies by 

 the whole circumstances of the case, and search to its 

 foundations its exact cause ; without which a 

 random shot will avail but little. The causes of 

 hypenesthesia are numerous ; some are prominent, 

 others very obscure. We have, however, been able to 

 trace it to atmospheric changes, and to soil. It is 

 nurtured, and carried on the wings of the wind, it 

 nestles in the storm, plays with the thunder and light- 

 nii m, continued heat, or continued cold ; all these are 

 known to be its exciting causes. Acute forms of 

 neuralgia, with a clear and definite type, have been 

 repeatedly observed to assume an epidemic form. If 

 we turn to the vegetable and mineral kingdom, we find 

 that certain substances have a specific ellt'ct in producing 

 exalted sensibility of nerve fibre : lead for instance causes 

 neur;i purred rye and veratrine, formication; 



morphia, pruritus ; and tin- inhalation of protoxide of 

 nitrogen, optical hypenesthesia. An abnormal condi- 

 tion of the blood also plays an important part in the 

 causation tirld of neural -i a ; for we find that plethora 

 as well as anaemia are followed by vertigo, optical and 

 acoustic hypersesthesia ; and it seems here, as if pain 

 were the prayer of the nerve for healthy blood : the 

 plaintive voice of nature appealing in supplicating tones 

 lie physician for help. If we penetrate into the 

 domain >!' j-athology, there also do we find divers causes 

 'tions ; such as obstruction, or cessa- 

 tion of habitual discharges, especially of haemorrhoids, 

 and the catamenia ; the suppression of herpes, and im- 



