418 THE TREATMENT OP DISEASES. 



even when the complaint is due to decayed teeth, and it will often obviate the 

 necessity for an appeal to the dentist. It frequently cures the neuralgia of old 

 people, in whom the complaint is generally most obstinate and severe. It will be 

 found serviceable in neuralgia of the back of the head, and also when it affects the 

 back of the neck, the pain radiating to the shoulders. It must be taken in five- 

 grain doses, dissolved in water, every three hours ; and should this dose fail it must 

 be doubled. It should be given simply in water, and without anything to flavour it. 



Phosphorus is another excellent remedy, and some regard it as almost a specific. 

 It appears to be efficacious in neuralgia of any part of the body, and is admirably 

 suited for people advanced in life. It should be given in doses of about one- 

 twentieth of a grain every three or four hours, and it may be conveniently 

 taken in the form of a pill, although the phosphorus pills of the pharmacopoeia, 

 from being made with wax that melts at a higher temperature than that of the 

 body, are useless. Phosphorus capsules (Pr. 54) may be employed with advantage. 

 The pharmacopceial phosphorated oil is a reliable preparation, and may be taken in 

 from five to ten-drop doses in a little milk every three hours. A saturated solution of 

 phosphorus in ether (Pr. 53) is very useful, and in five-drop doses every three hours 

 has been known to work some wonderful cures. It is best taken on sugar or 

 in a little milk. It must never be added to water in a bottle, with the idea of 

 forming a mixture, for it would float on the top, and the patient might take 

 a week's medicine with the first dose. "We have seen benefit derived from it 

 in neuralgia of the forearm. Phosphorus is a remedy on which we place great 

 reliance in the treatment of neuralgia of all kinds. As might be expected, long- 

 standing cases take the longer to cure ; but even in them relief often follows the 

 first few doses. 



Chloride of ammonium enjoys a high reputation in the treatment of neuralgia. 

 It sometimes succeeds admirably in neuralgia of the face. It is to be given in 

 thirty-grain doses every four hours, and may be taken either alone in water or 

 mixed with milk. Should it fail to afford relief in three or four days, it will 

 probably fail altogether, and may be regarded as unsuited to the case. 



Tincture of gelseminum is capital for neuralgic pains running along the lower 

 jaw. It will often succeed admirably when the neuralgia is the result of decayed 

 teeth. From five to ten drops should be taken in a wine-glassful of water every 

 three hours. It in exceptional cases produces giddiness, double vision, and 

 unsteadiness of gait ; but these symptoms are quite temporary, and will all have 

 disappeared in an hour or two on discontinuing the medecine. It often happens 

 that gelseminum cures neuralgia, but leaves a toothache with which it may be 

 associated unaffected. To get any good out of gelseminum you must take it alone 

 in water, and not with other things in a mixture. This is a point often neglected. 

 Pr. 41 may be employed. 



Arsenic proves highly beneficial in some cases of neuralgia. It is said to 

 succeed best when the pain is limited to the left side. The pain which it most 

 frequently cures is of a burning or agonising character, and is accompanied by 

 great restlessness. It is generally made worse by the application of cold, is 

 increased by rest, and diminished by exercise. The arsenic may be given in tea- 



