NEURALGLA. (Neu-Lat., from Gk. veupov, neuron. nerve + 11Xyos, a/gos, pain). A ,ensto-y neurosis classed a, functional and characterized by pain in the course of a nerve or of nerves. Neuralgia, are divided into (1) symptomatic, as \viten they are due to a toxin or a reflex irri tation, and (2) idiopathic, when developing from organic disease of the nerve at the site of the pain. But the latter are cases of neuritis in reality, and should not be classed with the neu ralgias. Nruralgias are also divided into classes named from their causes. as gouty, traumatic, hysterical, etc., as well as from their anatomical location, as trigeminal. lumbar, crural, sciatic, gastric. renal, visceral, cervico-oecipital, brachial. and intercostal. The trigeminal, or facial, neu ralgia is the most frequent, and the sciatic ranks next in frequency.
Among the causes are amcmia, gout, rheu matism, diabetes, carious teeth, toxic agents, in fections, exposure to cold. malaria. fatigue, men tal shock, and injuries. Children never suffer from neuralgia. It is most frequent between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five. It is rare in old age. Women are oftener victims of neu ralgia than men, in the proportion of five to three.
The most prominent symptom is pain. which is of a sharp, lancinating character, or of a dull aching variety. Generally it appears in twinges
of short duration, though of great intensity. Though principally following the course of the nerves, neuralgic pain pervades adjacent struc tures. Heat as well as cold generally it.
as xvell as a light touch. Firm some times soe times relieves. In many eases painful points, generally corresponding to the places of exit (d nerves from a bony structure. are found by test ing with pressure. Numbness may accompany the pain, as well as muscular spasm in rare eases. The pain of neuralgia is usually increased at night. It may return at regular intervals dur ing the clay, especially if dependent upon neu ritis.
The treatment of neuralgia includes the use of rest, catharsis, the analgesics. hypodermic ex hihition of nnirphia, the use of cocaine by the gal vanic cathode, as well as the local use of menthol, camphor. mustard. chloride of ethyl. chloroform, etc. Excision of a part of the affected nerve or removal of a ganglion of the sympathetic may effect a cure. In all cases hygiene, diet. regimen, and tissue-building are neeessary, as well as the discovery and removal of any peripheral irritant, thereby stopping all nerve leaks. See NEURITIS.