Trifacial Neuralgia—Hot Flashes.

I was recently called to attend a lady who was suffering most severely from neuralgia, of the trifacial type. For immediate relief I made a small swab by wrapping a piece of absorbent cotton around the end of a toothpick. I dipped this in chloroform and wrapped that in another piece of dry cotton, and stuck it into the ear, and kept it there until the burning sensation could not be longer borne. I then removed it and—presto—the neuralgia was gone. I relieve toothache in this same manner, and find it a simple thing, very effectual, and reliable, I therefore send it along for the family.

As medical treatment for neuralgia, I give ten drops of specific gelsemium at a single dose. When I expect to give the medicine in repeated doses, I follow up with three drop doses every hour. I find this same treatment to be excellent for the hot flashes that are apt to occur during the menopause.

Another course that relieves some cases of facial neuralgia, is to apply a one to one thousand adrenalin solution in vaseline rubbed over the cranial nerve, where the nerve comes out through the foramen.

GUSTAV E. HENSCHEN, M. D.

Ellingwood's Therapeutist, Vol. 2, 1908, was edited by Finley Ellingwood M.D.