Netiritis. Perinenntis. 183 



if not from actual paralysis, still from the pain which attends on 

 their contraction. In some cases they are the seat of clonic 

 spasms or twitching. Under a current of electricity they show a 

 decreased irritability which bears a direct relation to the grade of 

 degeneration wliich has occurred in the nerve fibres. In cases of 

 deep-seated neuritis paralysis may be the only appreciable symp- 

 tom. In traumatic injuries like bruises of the seventh nerve or 

 fracture of the sacrum the local swelling and tenderness are 

 marked initial sj-mptoms, upon which supervene the paralysis and 

 atrophy of the mu.scles cut off from full innervation. In neurec- 

 tomy the tender swelling in the stump which is still in connection 

 with the nerve centre ma}' amount to a distinct neuroma, while 

 the peripheral and detached portion of the nerve steadily loses its 

 irritability as shown b}^ electric stimulus. 



Prognosis. This will depend on the nature of the lesion. A 

 single transverse .section of a nerve, without loss of substance may 

 be repaired in a few months, while with lo.ss or degeneration of a 

 considerable part of its substance it may maintain a paralysis for 

 years or even permanently. L,esions due to .slight bruises may 

 recover in a few weeks, while the more .severe ones will persist for 

 months or years. The response to electric stimulus distal of the 

 lesion, is a guarantee of the absence of degeneration and a feature 

 hopeful of recovery. Pressure by bony displacement or neoplasia 

 must be done awa)^ with as the first condition of improvement in 

 such cases. Rheumatic and gouty cases will per.sist until these 

 constitutional infirmities are corrected. 



If the neuritis and paralysis have lasted for any length of time, 

 the degeneration of the muscles will keep up a degree of nm.scular 

 weakness (and if in the limbs lameness) after the repair of the 

 nerve has been completed. 



Treatment. Rest is the fir.st consideration accompanied by 

 soothing and anodyne application to the inflamed nerve. When 

 neuritis exists in a limb a softly padded splint may be useful at 

 first. The skin over the inflamed nerve may be rubbed by one 

 or a combination of the anodN^ie essential oils, (oil of cajeput, oil 

 of peppermint, oil of lavender). If the pain and tenderness are 

 extreme, a bag of ice or snow may give relief and should be kept 

 applied for a length of time. Or hot fomentations with a lotion 

 of lead and opium may be preferred especially in rheumatic cases. 



