There are few more distressing complaints than a severe headache, few more puzzling to account for in point of suddenness and intensity, and in the rapidity of their disappearance. A "nervous" headache, for instance, comes suddenly upon one, and disables us from our duties, and may perhaps be dispelled, as it were magically, by a cup of tea, or a spoonful of spirits of salvolatile.

This, however, is rarely the extent of headache. It is not a disease of itself essentially, but is the indication of some morbid condition, it may be only temporary, of the brain or of its coverings. As such, it is often a persistent symptom, and the source of inexpressible suffering, more especially if it be the result of some structural disease within the brain or skull.

There are, therefore, various kinds of headache - the nervous, congestive, neuralgic, rheumatic, bilious, etc.

The nervous headache, arising from various causes of debility, may, as already mentioned, be very shortlived, and yields readily to stimulants and antispasmodics.

Congestive headache is of a character distinct from the preceding, as it does not generally come on so suddenly, is not amenable to the same treatment, but requires the reverse - viz., purgatives and low diet. This form proceeds from constipation, from over-use and exertion of the brain, Bilious headache, or sick headache, differs very little either in origin or treatment from the preceding, and requires similar treatment.

Neuralgic headache is sometimes also much relieved by the external application of sedatives. The Belladonna liniment of the British Pharmacopoeia applied freely over the surface of the forehead, or on the back of the neck, frequently gives great relief. Care must be taken that the skin is entire. It would not do, for instance, to apply any sedative or narcotic if the skin be tender from a blister, or leech-bites.