STUDIES ON THE RELIEF OF PAIN BY COUNTERIRRITATION

Abstract

The authors tested on themselves the effect of counterirritation of various types[long dash]heat, cold, electrical stimulation, vibration, and tactile stimulation-[long dash]on the pain induced by subcut. inj. of 10% NaCl and by skin irritants. Irrespective of the type of pain or the counterirritant, a definite pattern usually appeared the application of counterirritation caused temporary relief and its removal was again followed by temporary relief. Various expts. showed that changes in the circulation were not responsible for the relief. Records of the discharge from sensory nerves in animals yielded results which were analogous to some of the changes of sensation experienced, but an altered sensory discharge did not explain all the results. That they were due to a central depression of the pain appeared the most likely explanation. In 80 cases a proper choice of counterirritant and periodic application gave more relief than the customary methods of counterirritation.