Electricity affords the best means of palliating, if not curing, trifacial neural gia. A constant current of 35 to 50 milliampil‘res should be used, the positive electrode being applied to the seat of pain. This electrode should have an area of two hundred to two hundred and fifty square centimetres, the negative be ing about double the size, to be applied over the spinal column, and each sitting to last at least fifteen minutes, or it may exceed half an hour. The positive pole should be accurately molded to the face, exactly covering the painful area. Bergonie (Arch. d'Elect. MM., Oct. 5, '97).
Of remedies for the relief of the par oxysms of pain the coal-tar derivatives stand first. Glelsemium also is a valu able antineuralgie agent, as are ether, valerian (these last two often in com bination); aconite or its active principle, aconitia; cannabis Indica, and cimici fuga. Alcohol oftentimes affords relief, but it is a dangerous remedy and should be prescribed with caution. Nitro glycerin has been found useful in cases of facial neuralgia.
.Neuralgic headache, a ffecti ng lie trigeminal distribution, yields quickest to aconitine, pushed until the physio logical effect be obtained. Hamilton ("Modern Treat. of Hcad.," '91).
If 5 to 10 drops of guaiaeol are gently rubbed into the skin over the painful spot, the neuralgic pain will cease at once, rio matter of ‘‘ hat character the neuralgia may be. A. Brodnax (NViscon sin Med. Recorder, p. 228, 1900).
One-fourth, Vs, or even V. grain (0.015, 0.008, or 0.006 gramme) of
Merck's medicinal methylene - blue, in watery solution, hypodermically near the seat of pain or near the spinal source of the affected nerve is generally sufficient. Using these small doses two points of injection may sometimes be advisable at the same sitting. A. de \The (Medical World, Sept., 1902).
When all other remedies fail morphia. hypodermically may justifiably be used. Acupuncture, injection of water beneath the skin, and active eounter-irritation may also be used with some bope of benefit. The actual cautery is quite effi cacious in some instances. A. strong gal vanic current, sufficient to almost or quite blister the skin will frequently break up an attack completely.
For neuralgia injections of following are recommended: Osmie acid, 1; dis tilled water, 6; glycerin, 4 (Schapiro); to be kept in a closed bottle. Of this '/, grain of the drug is to he used.
The needle t,liottld be inserted perpen dicularly and deep into the muscles ()I to the hone as near as is possible to the most painful point, the overtlow on the skin being. prevented by a bit of cotton. \Vhen injections are made into the face, a smaller quantity should be used in order to avoid induration, which may be of a dark color. Erwin Franck (Fort schritte der .Aled., Aug.. '90).
Series of cases of severe neuralgia in which castor-oil brought. aliont a speedy mire. It should he given in doses of from 1 to 2 ounces Oil to 01 grammes) twee or four times daily, although in