This section is from "The American Cyclopaedia", by George Ripley And Charles A. Dana. Also available from Amazon: The New American Cyclopędia. 16 volumes complete..
White Swelling, the popular name for a chronic inflammation of the joints occurring in scrofulous subjects. The complaint appears sometimes to originate in a slight injury; sometimes no cause can be assigned for its occurrence. The joint slowly becomes stiff and swollen; for a long time it is painful only on being moved. The swelling is caused largely by the parts exterior to the joint becoming thickened and infiltrated with plastic and fatty matters. It comes on very slowly, and as it supervenes the prominences of the bones are lost, and the joint becomes rounded and has a doughy or semi-elastic feel. The appearance of the skin, which for a long time preserves its natural color, gives the disease its popular name. The 'swelling, considerable in itself, seems greater from the wasting of the rest of the limb. The disease has a great tendency to run on to suppuration, which takes place both within and around the joint. This is rapidly followed by hectic fever, and often by the development of tubercles in the lungs. The general treatment consists in hygienic measures, a generous diet, and the use of iron, cod-liver oil, phosphoric acid, and iodine. Locally, the chief indication is to keep the joint in a state of perfect rest, and this is best done by the use of splints or the starch bandage.
When the inflammation has entirely subsided, friction and stimulating liniments may be employed.
 
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