NEURALGIA. 415 



of the attack becomes fixed like a statue, fearing to move a muscle or a limb, 

 lest he should aggravate the pain or reproduce the seizure. 



One of the commonest forms of neuralgia of the limbs is that which is 

 experienced in the little finger and the contiguous side of the next finger. Often 

 enough it extends downwards from behind the elbow to that spot. The nerve 

 affected in these cases is the " ulnar," a blow on which gives rise to that peculiar 

 sensation experienced on striking what we call the " funny-bone," which is if 

 reality nothing but this nerve. This form of neuralgia is often kept up and 

 revived when apparently dying out by muscular movement. In the case of a 

 lady, a highly accomplished musician, pianoforte-playing had to be abandoned 

 on this account, the slightest exertion with the hands infallibly bringing on an 

 attack of pain. 



Neuralgia of the side is by no means an uncommon affection, and it is frequently 

 one involving much suffering. A variety not uncommonly met with is the pain 

 beneath the left breast, which women with neuralgic tendencies so often experience, 

 chiefly as the result of over-suckling, combined, perhaps, with some menstrual 

 irregularity. Neuralgia of the side is not uncommonly associated with shingles, 

 and an attack of shingles often leaves behind it for some time a legacy of neuralgic 

 pains. It is important to distinguish neuralgia of the side from the purely 

 muscular affection to which the term myalgia has been applied (see MYALGIA). 

 Neuralgia is non-dependent, or much less dependent than myalgia, on excessive 

 or long-continued muscular exertion. Moreover, there is marked intermittence 

 in the neuralgic affection, the pains not being constant, but only occasional. 



A curious fact in connection with neuralgia of the face is, that after a severe 

 attack the hair on that side of the head often turns grey, the colour being after a 

 time gradually restored to its original tint. This may at first seem difficult of 

 belief, but it is true, and has been observed in many instances. 



With regard to the duration of neuralgia we must say a word or two. Some 

 cases run an acute course, lasting only a few days or weeks, the disease terminating 

 after a short series of more or less violent paroxysms. In other cases the disease is 

 chronic, lasting for weeks and months, and even, if the successive and frequent 

 relapses be included, for years. In exceptional instances, neuralgia is persistent 

 throughout life, though with intermissions of longer or shorter duration, and with 

 considerable variations in intensity. On the whole it may be stated that the 

 majority of cases terminate in complete recovery. 



Let us now consider what steps may be taken to ward off neuralgia in those who 

 are constitutionally or hereditarily predisposed to it. Much may be done to prevent 

 the development of the affection by timely care and attention. Good diet is of 

 primary importance. It should be abundant, and should include a fair allowance of 

 meat, bread, eggs, and especially milk, given in conjunction with cod-liver oil, and 

 no apprehension need be entertained of its proving too stimulating. Regular and 

 systematic exercise is an invaluable adjunct to good feeding, powerfully contributing 

 as it does to the strengthening of the nervous system. Exercise, in whatever form 

 it may be taken, should not be excessive, and should be alternated with a due pro- 

 portion of rest. A sufficient amount of sleep, especially during the period of youth 



