Plate VIII

THE PALM OF THE HAND

The illustration opposite shows the nerves, muscles, etc., in the palm of the right hand, and gives some idea of the possibility of dangerous results from wounds or bruises of this member of the body. The nerves shown carry impulses of motion or sensation. Neglect of any deep injury involving the nerves may permanently cripple the hand.

The Arteries Shown in Red form the palmar arch, which supplies blood to the palm and fingers.

The Radial Nerve supplies the thumb, forefinger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. The Ulnar Nerve is distributed to the little finger and remaining half of the ring finger. The Median Nerve supplies the muscles in the palm.

The Tendons that close the hand are shown as Broad Flat Bands entering the center of each finger near its surface.

ommended for neuralgia in general. A cloth saturated with pure alcohol and covered with oil-silk or rubber will afford relief when applied over the painful region. The eruption should be dusted with starch and kept clean, and the blisters should not be broken. Pain in the chest resembling neuralgia may be produced by many other conditions, and, therefore, a careful medical examination is always desirable.

Neuralgia of the chest is seen more often in thin, nervous women. In this affection tender spots may be discovered near the spine and breastbone, and midway between these points.

Neuralgia of the spine, with tender spots along its course, and pain in the neck, or in the middle or small part of back, is often present in nervous women, and in those suffering from railway accident. Pain in the very lowest end of the spine which is aggravated by the sitting position is also common in women. Occasionally persons suffer from neuralgia in the heel and sole of the foot.

SCIATICA-Sciatica is a neuralgia or inflammation of the sciatic nerve which extends from the upper, middle part of the back of the thigh down to the foot. It is occasioned by exposure to cold or wet, by lifting, and, in women, may be due to some disease in the neighborhood of the womb, or to injury sustained in childbirth. It may also be due to disease of the spine. Rheumatism is a common cause.

It may come on suddenly, or gradually, beginning

with pain in the small part of the back. The true pain of sciatica starts in the middle of the upper, fleshy part of the back of the thigh, and extends down the middle of the back of the limb, even to the foot, and there are tender spots along this course, especially in the upper and middle portion of the back of the thigh. The pain is generally intense, worse at night and on walking. It is burning or boring in character, but at the beginning may be felt only after exercise, or when the leg is held in certain positions. Walking becomes difficult (or impossible), even if the weight is borne on the toes with the knee bent. There are sometimes cramps, spasms, and wasting of the muscles in the disabled limb. The patient usually is compelled to remain in bed, and the disease may last months, with occasional improvement and return of the trouble. A thorough examination by a medical man is demanded to eliminate local disease, as of the spine or hip, and, in women, of special troubles which may occasion the sciatica.

Treatment of Neuralgia in General.-Prevention is better than cure. Wholesome, nourishing food, exercise out of doors, change of air and scene, cold baths, and sea bathing are valuable in preventing neuralgia in susceptible persons. The same measures will be found valuable in the treatment of neuralgia, with the possible exception of cold baths. Such remedies as chloroform liniment, menthol pencil, or chloroform and alcohol, each one ounce, in which is dissolved