Electro-physiology and electro-therapeutics : showing the best methods for the medical uses of electricity / By Alfred C. Garratt.

characterized. The pain darts in the course of the nerve, some- times to the spine, and embarrasses the respiration. It is occa- sionally attended with pain in the epigastrium, or bowels ; and in women there is hysterical colic, or pains in the region of the ovaries or uterus. The pain may be diagnosticated from rheumatic by the former showing great sensibility of skin, and the latter showing soreness of the muscles, by pressure, or in using them. It occurs more usually in the left side, and but rarely in both sides at once, or in succession. (See G.) Intercostal neuralgia is a very frequent complaint. Accord- ing to the careful researches of Dr. Valleix in this department of pathology, or rather abnormal physiology, he found these pains rarely in the first and tenth spaces, and in the eleventh and twelfth never. This kind of pain is increased on pressure, by full inspiration, or by cough, but not equally so along the whole course of the nerve. There are points where the pain is acute. These are, first, a little one side from the spinous pro- cesses, where the nerve passes from between the vertebrae; second, at the anterior portion of the intercostal space, and near to the epigastrium and sternum ; third, about the middle or arch of the ribs. The pain may be dull, aching, or a mere sore feeling, and be persistent; or it may be sharp, darting, and often recurring. And here is the proper place to class and include all those cases usually denominated " pleurodynia." Intercostal neuralgia is often connected with the hysterical condition, and disordered digestion. It is also found to arise from over-work and from exposure. But probably the greater source is, impaired nervous energy, and at the same time an irritation of some portion of the organic nerves. Besides, as we have said, it may, or may not, be connected with, or arise from, a positive venous congestion of a corresponding portion of the cord, or rather of its investing membranes. (SeeF,G.) Such are the facts in regard to the cervical, thoracic, and abdominal branches of the cord ; but if we pass down to the lumbar region, we often meet with pains here other than the true neuralgic. M. Chaussier describes life-like cases, that refer the pains to the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or uterine organs. 34