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OF NERVOUS PAINS IN THE JAWS. 200
not arise from any disease in the part, but is entirely a
nervous affection.
It is sometimes brought on, or increased, by affections of
the mind, of which I once saw a remarkable instance in a
young Lady.
It often has its periods, and these are frequently very
regular.
The regularity of its periods gives an idea of its being
a proper case for the bark, which, however, frequently
fails.
I have seen cases of some years standing, where the
hemlock has succeeded, when the bark has had no effect
but sometimes all attempts prove unsuccessful. Sea
bathing has been in some cases of singular service, (a)
(a) [Neuralgia of the fifth pair of nerves may arise from teeth that are
perfectly sound, so far as the presence of caries is concerned, hut where
there is an increased growth of the cementum around the fang, pro-
ducing exostosis. In these cases, the patient will point to a particular
tooth as the seat of the pain. If the disease has lusted for some time,
and no relief has been obtained by other means, and supposing it is
quite clear that the neuralgia does not depend upon any of the causes
presently to be mentioned, it would be justifiable to remove the tooth.
If an exostosis is found on the fang, the operation will most probably
be followed by a temporary relief, but, unfortunately, in these cases several
of the remaining teeth are often affected in the same way, and the
pain recurs after a short interval until all the teeth are removed. Mr.
Fox mentions a case in which a lady lost all her teeth before she
obtained a cessation of her sufferings, which arose from exostosis, and
Mr. Tomes has recorded a similar case. (1)
Hysterical females will sometimes complain of neuralgia of the head
and face, pointing to a perfectly healthy tooth as the source of their
sufferings, and requesting to have it removed. The condition of the
tooth, the age, and appearance of the patient, and the general history
of the case, will enable us to diagnose the true character of the affection.
Malaria is another cause of this complaint, and here the character of
(1) 'System of Dental Surgery,' pp. 441.
OF NERVOUS PAINS IN THE JAWS. 200
not arise from any disease in the part, but is entirely a
nervous affection.
It is sometimes brought on, or increased, by affections of
the mind, of which I once saw a remarkable instance in a
young Lady.
It often has its periods, and these are frequently very
regular.
The regularity of its periods gives an idea of its being
a proper case for the bark, which, however, frequently
fails.
I have seen cases of some years standing, where the
hemlock has succeeded, when the bark has had no effect
but sometimes all attempts prove unsuccessful. Sea
bathing has been in some cases of singular service, (a)
(a) [Neuralgia of the fifth pair of nerves may arise from teeth that are
perfectly sound, so far as the presence of caries is concerned, hut where
there is an increased growth of the cementum around the fang, pro-
ducing exostosis. In these cases, the patient will point to a particular
tooth as the seat of the pain. If the disease has lusted for some time,
and no relief has been obtained by other means, and supposing it is
quite clear that the neuralgia does not depend upon any of the causes
presently to be mentioned, it would be justifiable to remove the tooth.
If an exostosis is found on the fang, the operation will most probably
be followed by a temporary relief, but, unfortunately, in these cases several
of the remaining teeth are often affected in the same way, and the
pain recurs after a short interval until all the teeth are removed. Mr.
Fox mentions a case in which a lady lost all her teeth before she
obtained a cessation of her sufferings, which arose from exostosis, and
Mr. Tomes has recorded a similar case. (1)
Hysterical females will sometimes complain of neuralgia of the head
and face, pointing to a perfectly healthy tooth as the source of their
sufferings, and requesting to have it removed. The condition of the
tooth, the age, and appearance of the patient, and the general history
of the case, will enable us to diagnose the true character of the affection.
Malaria is another cause of this complaint, and here the character of
(1) 'System of Dental Surgery,' pp. 441.
