There did exist, however, one too little known work of some years earlier date, which, though not dealing specifically with neuralgia, and though based upon the necessarily very imperfect knowledge of the functions of the nervous system prevalent in its day, had nevertheless done much to lay the foundation of a comprehensive view of the complications of neuralgia; we refer to the work of the brothers Griffin, on "Functional Affections of the Spinal Cord and Ganglionic System," published in 1834. In this most interesting treatise, the record of acute and extensive observations made in a quiet and unpretending way by two Irish practitioners, numerous examples are cited in which neuralgic affections were seen to be inseparably united with secondary affections of the most various organs, with which the neuralgic nerves could have no connection except through the centres, by reflex action. The authors, while firmly grasping the fact of the common connection of the nerve-pain and the other phenomena (convulsions, paralysis, altered special sensation, changes in secretion, changes even in the nutrition of particular tissues) with the central nerve system, were doubtless in error in thinking that they could detect the precise seat of the original malady, by discovering certain points of tenderness over the spinal column. But their facts were observed with the greatest care, and can now be interpreted more intelligently than was possible at the time. Here, for example, is a case which forestalls one of the most interesting pieces of information which more recent research has made generally known:
"CASE XXIV.--Kitty Hanley, aged fourteen years, catamenia never appeared; about six months ago was attacked with pain in the right eye and brow, occurring only at night, and then so violently as to make her scream out and disturb every one in the house; it afterward occurred in the infra-orbital nerve, and along the lower jaw in the teeth, and there was inflammation of the cornea, with superficial ulceration and slight muddiness. Tenderness was found at the upper cervical vertebræ, pressure on any of them exciting severe pain in the vertex and brow; but none in the eye or jaws, where it is never felt except at night."