Neuralgia : its various forms, pathology, and treatment : being the Jacksonian prize essay of the Royal college of surgeons for 1850 : with some additions / by C. Toogood Downing.

  • Downing, C. Toogood (Charles Toogood)
Date:
1851
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Neuralgia : its various forms, pathology, and treatment : being the Jacksonian prize essay of the Royal college of surgeons for 1850 : with some additions / by C. Toogood Downing. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

    135/438 (page 111)
    patient suffered the most excruciatmg pain in the tongue and throat, and could only swalloAV with the greatest difficulty, a small portion of the alveolar process irritated the tongue. I removed this with my finger, and the pain immediately ceased and did not return. If, after the most rigid investigation of the parts in the neighbourhood of the neuralgic pain, no sufficient exciting cause can be discovered, we must then proceed to examine the more distant organs of the body. The state of the abdominal viscera and digestive functions should first claim attention. As far as treatment is concerned, it seems of little importance whether the derangement of the chylopoietic apparatus be the cause or merely the consequence of the neuralgia, provided it be present. All symptoms of dyspepsia should be combated by strict attention to diet and suitable medicines. Wlien the liver is deranged, a course of alteratives will be desirable. If there be reason to suspect scybala, worms, or other source of irritation in the bowels, they should be dislodged without delay. The oil of turpentine I have found answer the purpose admirably. From half-an-ounce to six drachms may be taken, combined with castor oil or infusion of senna. In the same way, careful inquiry should be made