Nervous Headache.

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 25 August 1909, Page 87

Nervous Headache.

A recent writer in a medical weekly eayst' "This headache is <hie to a disturbance or derangement of the nerve centres themselves, which .accounts for "the fact that it may be produced by emotional disturbances, such as extreme fright, fear, worry, etc. The onset of thie headache is usual ljt marked by digestive disturbances, euch as eructations, flatulency, constipation, and 1 sometimes vomiting. These stomach disturbances have led to this form of headache being popularly known as 'sick headache.' Thece is* always more or ' less irritability in file beginning, and in some persons there 'is considerable disturbance of the sight. The pain is acute, and is mostly found in the temples and just over and 1 frequently in the eyes, though occasionally it is limited to the top of the head anJi to the back of the head. There is great sensitiveness to extreme light. The best ana" most potent treatment 'or this form of headache is bromide of potash in 30gram doses every 30 minutes, until two doses have been taken, and then 30 grains more if the pain has not ceased! (dissolve the bromide of potash in a little water). At the same time the sufferer should go into a darkened room and lie down, and remain perfectly quiet- This treatment will be materially assisted by the application of ice' or cold cloths to the head. As this headache is due to the irritability of the nervous centres, and 1 the remedies just suggested soothe and quiet these centres, it will be readily seen, how and why they cure: it is treatment of the cause which cures."