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RHEUMATISM.

III

dinary case of a rheumatism that I ever saw, where a most everyjoint of the body was distorted, was a man who used to work onepart of the day by the fire, and the other part of it in the water.Very obstinate rheumatisms have likewise been brought on by per-sons not accustomed to it, allowing their feet to continue long wet.The same effects are often produced by wet clothes, damp beds,sitting or lying on the damp ground, travelling in the night, &e.

The rheumatism may likewise be occasioned by excessive evac-uations, or the stoppage of customary discharges. It is often theeffect of chronic diseases, which vitiate the humours; as the scurvy,the hits venerea, obstinate autumnal agues, &c.

The rheumatism prevails in cold, damp, marshy countries. Itis most common among the poorer sort of peasants, who are ill-clothed, live in low damp houses, and eat coarse and unwhole-some food, which contains but little nourishment, and is not easilydigested.

Symptoms. — The acute rheumatism commonly begins with wea-riness, shivering, a quick pulse, restlessness, thirst, and othersymptoms of fever. Afterwards the patient complains of flyingpains, which are increased by the least motion. These at lengthfix in the joints, which are often affected with swelling and inflam-mation. If blood be let in this disease, it has generally the sameappearance as in the pleurisy.

Medical Treatment. — In this kind of rheumatism the treat-ment of the patient is nearly the same as in an acute or inflamma-tory fever. If he be young and strong, bleeding is necessary,which may be repeated according to the exigencies of the case.The body ought likewise to be kept open by emollient clysters, orcool opening liquors ; as decoctions of tamarinds, cream of tartar,whey, senna-tea, and the like. The diet should be light, and insmall quantity, consisting chiefly of roasted apples, groat gruel, orweak chicken broth. After the feverish symptoms have abated, ifthe pain still continues, the patient must keep his bed, and takesuch things as promote perspiration ; as wine-whey, with solutionof the acetated ammonia, &c* He may likewise take, for a fewnights, at bed-time, in a cup of wine-whey, a drachm of the creamof tartar, and half a drachm of gum guaiacum in powder.

Warm bathing, after proper evacuations, has often an exceed-ingly good effect. The patient may either be put into a bath ofwarm water, or have cloths wrung out of it applied to the partsaffected. Great care must be taken that he do not catoh cold afterbathing.

* Take Camphor Mixture, 1 ounce.

Solution of Tartarized Antimony,

20 drops.Solution of Âcetated Ammonia,

3 drachms.Mix them for a draught, to be repeatedevery four or six hours.orTake Compound powder of Ipecacuanha,10 grains.Confection of Roses, 12 grams.

Simple Syrup, enough to make a bolus;to be taken every third or fourth hour,washing it down with three table*spoonsful of the following mixture :Take Lemon Juice, 1¿ ounce.

Subcarbonate of Ammonia, 1 drrn.Water. 4^ ounces.

Nitrate of Potash. | drachm,

Simple Syrup, ^ ounce.

Make a mixture.