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Neuralgia following Herpes ZosterAuthor(s): Silas PalmerSource: Provincial Medical and Surgical Journal (1844-1852), Vol. 13, No. 26 (Dec. 26, 1849), p.719Published by: BMJStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25501090 .

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NEURALGIA FOLLOWING HERPES ZOSTER. 719

generally the latter pains are, in point of severity, as

acute as the first. These two last features of the dis ease I have observed in neuralgic complaints very fre

quently, quite unconnected with the disease under discussion. According to my experience it is especially so in regard to neuralgic pains of the face.

My observations again coincide with those of Mr. Giraud and his friend in London, as to the inefficacy of

any means intended for relief or cure. Beyond the occa

sional use of opiates I know none. But here the medical man may be useful to his patient, if not by prescribing medicines, at any rate by soothing his mind with the

comfortable and honest assurance, that though the

pains are bad and severe, they will lead to no evil con

sequences. Whenever I attended a person afflicted with

herpes zoster, I always told him or her what must be

expected after the eruptive part of the disease was

gone; and many, many times have I been thanked

subsequently for having given this information. My friends have told me, that but for what I had said, and the confidence they had in that opinion, they should have supposed they were affected with some internal complaint. If the eruption had been over the chest, their fears would have led them to conclude that disease existed either in the heart or lungs; or if over the

loins, then that the kidneys were affected, and so of other parts. The mind, then, being calmed and pre pared to look forward towards the best result, the best result would follow, helped, I make no doubt, by not

being harassed continually with the idea that some

serious internal malady was making sure and certain

progress. I do not pretend to account for these pains, but sup

pose they must be connected with the reflex system of

nerves; for certainly the cutaneous ones are those which are involved in the inflammatory part of the disease at first, but the patient does not refer the sub

sequent pains to the skin as their locality, but to the

deeper-seated organs. I have written more than at first I intended, and

whether you will think these observations worth insert

ing in the Provincial Medical and Surgical Journal or

not, I leave to your judgment. I am, gentlemen,

Your very obedient servant, PETER MARRIOTT.

Aberystwith, December 14, 1849.

NEURALGIA FOLLOWING HERPES ZOSTER.

To the Editors of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Journal.

GENTLEMEN,-Will you allow me to suggest to your correspondent, Mr. Giraud, as one of the best remedies in this Very troublesome disorder, the application of a

blister, near, or over the painful part: immediately it is healed let there be applied a piece of belladonna

plaster on leather, and I can assure Mr. G., that from tome experience, I can testify to the value of this plan.

The neuralgia is always relieved, and generally re

moved; the stimulus of the vesication, followed by the sedative influence of the belladonna, appearing to ex

haust the morbid influence, (or whatever else we like

to call it,) on which the pain depends, and healthy function following, the patient is cured.

Of course in all such cases we must attend to the

general health; but I do not believe that all the

tonics of the Pharmacopoeia would ever cure a local

neuralgia, excited apparently by the morbid secretion

of a previous disease.

Excuse my thus troubling you, but I know the value

of a single hint too well, to deny it to a brother

practitioner. I remain, Gentlemen,

Yours respectfully, EDWARD HUMPAGE.

Redland, Bristol, Dec. 15, 1849

NEURALGIA FOLLOWING HERPES ZOSTER.

To the Editor of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Journal.

SIR,-I have perused with much interest the letter

of Mr. F. Giraud which appeared in the last number of

the Journal, " On Neuralgiafollowing Herpes Zoster."

During the last seven years I have met with several

cases in which severe pain, of a neuralgic character, affected the seat of the eruption. These principally occurred in elderly persons; and after using a variety of

medicines, I found that this distressing sequela yielded most readily to grain doses of the oxide of silver, com

bined with the compound galbanum pill and extract

of hyoscyamus. I likewise employed, as an external

application, the tincture of arnica montana, with

the tincture of soap and opium, and as the results in

all were most satisfactory, I feel justified in recom

mending this mode of treatment to the notice of your

correspondent. I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

SILAS PALMER, M.D.

Newbury.

CORRIGENDA IN MR. CROUCH'S PAPER ON OVARIOTOMY.

To the Editor of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Journal.

SIR,-I am reminded by a correspondent of the fol

lowing errors in the " Table of Cases of Ovariotomy "

published in the Journal of the 24th of last month, and shall be much obliged by your correcting them as

early as possible. It appears that Dr. Clay has had

only ten fatal cases instead of twelve.

Mr. Heath's case was one of extirpation of a diseased

uterus, and not one of ovariotomy. Mr. Elkington, of Birmingham, (whose name was

misspelt Elrington,) has had two cases, one fatal and

the other successful. I am also informed that Dr. Frederic Bird has had

one unsuccessful case, but he has not replied to my

inquiry on the subject. I am, dear Sir, yours faithfully,

JOHN CROUCH. Bruton, Somerset, December 17, 1849.

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