NEURALGIA.
Neuralgia of the rectum as a clinical entity is rare indeed. Mention is made here simply in acknowledgment of the affection, having met with but one case, and that in a very nervous and delicate lady, who maintained that she was cursed with a rectal ulcer.
In obedience to this idea her physician had examined the rectum, under anæsthesia, and found what he called a rectal ulcer at a point where the uterine cervix rests on the rectum. His diagnosis was, no doubt, founded upon her belief, and as an apology for the examination and treatment resorted to, which put her to bed for six weeks.
There were no symptoms of rectal ulcer, other than pain, and no lesion found by a digital examination or seen through a speculum. She insisted on taking chloroform and a more thorough examination made. This was done without revealing anything more than what had already been ascertained, and the diagnosis of neuralgia confirmed.
Pain continued, periodical or irregular, in the absence of mechanical pressure (uterine) or structural lesion, in the region of the sphincters, or higher up, is diagnostic. If in the sphincters alone, dilitation may be sufficient. When higher up, constitutional treatment with galvanism is advised.