In neuralgia the general treatment for that affection is indicated. Quinine and iron have especially been found useful. In the hysterical variety of both hyperæsthesia and paræsthesia general treatment is of more value than local measures. General tonics, moral support, such as will be secured if we can convince the patient that there is really no serious trouble with the organ, but that it is only a morbid sensation, will be of the greatest value. In these cases change of climate, change of occupation, diversion by new associations, with expectation of recovery on the part of the patient, often bring about the most satisfactory results. The diagnosis should be certain and the physician should be able to speak with confidence in the matter. This will go far toward effecting a cure. For the purpose of diminishing the general irritability of the system bromine in some of its combinations, potassium, sodium, iron, quinine, etc., may be useful. Anæsthesia. DEFINITION.--Diminished sensibility of the mucous surfaces dependent upon lesion of the nerve-centres, alteration of the conductivity of the nerve-trunks, or upon disease in their terminal distributions. It is usually bilateral, but may be limited to one side. This alteration of the sensitive condition of the mucous membranes is usually observed after diphtheria. It is also met with in bulbar paralysis. In this last condition it is only one of the phenomena of paresis or paralysis involving several different organs. It is not, therefore, properly a disease of the larynx, and the consideration of it will not be embraced in this article. It has been stated that hysteria is frequently accompanied with anæsthesia of the larynx. Von Ziemssen, Chairou, and Schnitzler have published cases. It seems very improbable that this condition of the organ is so generally present in hysteria as is claimed by Chairou. It is, however, certain that anæsthesia as well as hyperæsthesia of the larynx exists as a complication of hysteria. In the later stages of all exhaustive diseases, as cholera, etc., the sensibility of this organ is either diminished or abolished. This is not, however, a true paralysis in the sense in which we generally use the term. It is only one of the manifestations of the general failure of the life-forces. The special senses, the reflex functions, all share in this paresis, this severing of the relationships of life. Anæsthesia of the larynx is usually {66} confined to the parts supplied by the superior laryngeal nerves, and is sharply limited by the edges of the vocal bands. If there is anæsthesia of the parts below these bands, it is of much less significance and hardly requires our consideration.