448 NEUKALQIA. 



NEURALGIA. 



As a local application in this disease, ice and ice-cold water 

 have been found to afford much relief. Steaming the part affected 

 has been useful in some cases, and the hot douche a remedy which 

 can seldom be obtained has been of service in subduing the pain. 

 Dry heat, applied by means of a hot iron, or hot coals, held near 

 the part as long as the patient can bear it, affords relief in some 

 cases. Steaming the part with a hot brick or stone, with a wet 

 cloth wrapped about it, has certainly done well in relieving rheu- 

 matic neuralgia of the back. Covering the part with oiled silk and 

 cotton or wool, helps to keep off the attacks in some cases. 



M. Gaudett, a French writer, asserts that facial and cranial 

 neuralgia and hemicrania have, in his experience, yielded to no 

 therapeutical remedy with the same facility as to sea-bathing, by 

 immersion and affusion. The same writer holds also, that sciatica, 

 even when occurring in debilitated subjects, and of long standing, 

 yields to what he calls the tonic and sedative effects of sea-bathing. 

 In all these cases it is the improvement of the general health that 

 occasions the cure. 



NIGHTMARE. 



The treatment for this affection should be similar to that which 

 we would adopt in night-pollution, sleep-walking, sleep-talking, etc., 

 and which need not here be commented upon. It is or great impor- 

 tance that the patient lie upon his side. .Nervous people are often 

 fond of lying upon the back ; and it is in this position that the night- 

 mare attacks. 



PALSY. 



In recent cases from congestion of the spine either from injury 

 or exposure, the treatment is to be conducted on the principles laid 

 down for other inflammations. Fever is to be controlled by the wet- 

 sheet pack, affusion, or full bath, and the spine may be kept con- 

 stantly cool by a compress over the congested portion, which is to 

 be determined by the portion of the body palsied. Rest is absolutely 

 necessary in these cases to avoid serious and permanent injury to 

 the spinal cord. 



Paralysis from senemia requires general tonic treatment, nour- 

 ishing diet, plenty of air and judicious exercise, being careful not 

 to overdo. 



A cure of paralysis from spinal softening is not to be expected 

 and great caution is necessary in such cases in the use of baths lest 

 the disease be aggravated rather than benefited. 



In all forms of palsy friction is a benefit and wet hand-rubbing 

 is always to be preferred, since it is far more tonic than dry, and 

 does not injure tne skin. A wet towel or other cloth may be placed 

 about the part the arm, for example and rubbing practiced over 

 it. 



