NEURALGIA. 421 



piece of aconite ointment the size of a bean or nut should be rubbed into the painful 

 spot, and this quantity may be repeated at intervals until a feeling of tingling is 

 induced, after which it should not be continued. The aconite liniment, or the 

 tincture of aconite may be applied, by means of a brush, along the course of the 

 painful nerves. A very good plan is to mix the aconite liniment with an equal 

 quantity of chloroform liniment, which assists absorption. Sometimes it will suffice 

 to make the application over the most painful spot. In using a powerful remedy 

 such as aconite, the greatest care must be taken not to rub it into wounds or cracks 

 in the skin, and above all to avoid bringing it into contact with the lips or eyes. In 

 some cases veratria ointment mixed with an equal quantity of lard may be used in 

 place of the aconite ointment, but it, too, must be used with a certain amount of 

 discretion. 



A liniment made by nibbing together equal parts of chloral -and powdered cam- 

 phor often affords relief in neuralgia, when painted on the painful part. A great 

 advantage is that when successful the relief is almost instantaneous. 



A solution of morphia in oleic acid, of the strength of one or two grains to the 

 drachm, often succeeds admirably as an external application. Any London chemist 

 would quickly make this preparation. From five to ten drops should be rubbed into 

 the painful spot with the tip of the finger. It should be used once or twice a day. 

 Freezing the part by means of the ether spray often gives great relief in neuralgia, 

 and is by no means a bad mode of treatment. 



Electricity is undoubtedly destined to play an important part in the treatment 

 of neuralgia. We can hardly enter into a discussion of the whole subject, but a 

 brief statement of the present position of medical opinion on the subject may be of 

 use to some of our readers. So many people nowadays are acquainted with at least 

 the elements of electrical science, that the sufferer, once knowing the form of elec- 

 tricity he requires, will have f but little difficulty in getting the requisite application 

 made. In the first place, then, Faradic electricity is of little or no value in 

 neuralgia, and the same may be said of frictional electricity. The constant current, 

 on the other hand, is a remedy unapproached in power by any other, save only 

 blistering, and the hypodermic injection of morphia ; and even the latter is often 

 surpassed by it in permanence of effect, while it is applicable in not a few cases 

 where blistering would be useless. The greatest care is necessary in the choice of 

 an apparatus, and the mode of application of the electricity. The battery should be 

 constant, and not merely continuous. Many of the chains ordinarily sold for this 

 purpose fail to afford relief on this account. A sufficiently constant current may be 

 obtained from either a Daniell's, a Bunsen's, or a Smee's apparatus. Stohrer's 

 modification of Bunsen's battery is one of the best. It is made so that the elements 

 are not immersed in the exciting fluid until the moment of use, a simple mechanism 

 at once throwing the battery into or out of gear. Few people would care to pur- 

 chase an expensive apparatus such as an electrical battery, even on the chance of 

 being cured of a persistent neuralgia ; but this difficulty may Jae overcome by borrow- 

 ing the apparatus, or hiring it from a surgical instrument maker. This may be done 

 at a comparatively small cost, and a very little instruction would soon teach the 

 patient or some friend or relative how to use it. The use of a current intense enough 



