Injuries of nerves and their consequences - Reflex Sympathetic ...

PATHOLOGY OF NERVE LESIONS. 73
Cold should be used over the nerve track by means of
Chapman's spine-bags, or better, by such as are now made
by the Davidson Rubber Company, which are thinner than
those of English make. The caoutchouc bag should be
inclosed in an outer case of thin flannel, and may then
be kept m situ
by the splint and a bandage, if a splint be
worn. In most instances I have used these ice-bags over
nearly the whole length of the main nerve, and have usually
contented myself with their employment in the daytime.
In some cases, however, I have had them renewed
twice in the night, and this plan I believe to be the better
of the two. The only difficulty lies in the iirst pain from
cold, and is easily overcome. The relief aflbrded is often
remarkable, and the loss of the nerve in size, hardness,
and tenderness most gratifying.
Coimter-irriiants.— Revellents begin to be of use when
the tenderness has lessened or only exists in a slight degree.
I like best the revulsion caused by faradising with
the wire brush (secondary current) the dry skin, well
powdered, at a little distance from the line of the nerve.
Vesication may situation,— also be used in the same but
never over the nerve,— while more extensive irritation
by Pearson's plan I have also found useful; but as to
all of these means I shall have to speak more fully when
discussing the treatment of symptoms, which late in these
cases sometimes assume so much importance.
Sedatives.— Of hypodermic and other uses of sedatives
I shall also have occasion to speak elsewhere. Let us use
them freely, but be mindful of the fact that when recklessly
employed they bring about moral and physical
conditions which are simply fatal to successful treatment.
For examples of the methods employed, and which I
do not find insisted upon elsewhere, the reader is referred
to the chapter upon the therapeutics of symptoms.
Degeneration and regeneration of nerves. — The history of
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