5525. Causes of Rheumatism

5525.    Causes of Rheumatism. The causes of rheumatism are various. Vicissitudes of temperature are the most common; occupying a damp bed for a single night is sufficient to engender the disease. Such persons as blacksmiths, who are exposed to severe changes of temperature, are generally victims to the complaint. Miners and persons employed in smelting-furnaces are often severe sufferers. There is likewise a hereditary tendency to the malady, which a slight cold will develop. Rheumatism proceeds from a vitiated condition of the Blood. A hereditary taint in the circulating fluid may be developed by a slight cold, but more commonly the blood becomes vitiated through mal-assimilation and a faulty digestive action. The precise principle of the poison engendered has not yet been fully ascertained. It is generally believed to be lactic acid.

5526. Premonitory Symptoms of Rheumatism

5526.     Premonitory Symptoms of Rheumatism. An attack of rheumatism is imminent when a stiffness is felt in the joints, combined with a dryness of the skin and a burning thirst. The variety of the complaint of which these signs are the precursors is termed acute. The other variety is chronic rheumatism. The latter may be described as an aggravated condition of the former, though some persons not only describe them as quite distinct, but introduce a variety between them.

5527. Treatment of Rheumatism

5527.     Treatment of Rheumatism. In the early stages, when there is much thirst, a refreshing saline drink will be beneficial; cold water may be freely allowed, but acid drinks must not be given without consulting the doctor, as they may not agree with his medicines. A correspondent of the Medical Circular vouches for the relief ho has experienced in the liberal use of lime (or lemon) juice, while laboring under the paroxysms of rheumatism. By persistent use of the above simple acid for the space of 3 days, avoiding all stimulating liquids, the most confirmed rheumatism will, ho says, relax, and the tone of the muscular and nervous system will be restored to its usual character.

5528. Local Remedies for Rheumatism

5528.    Local Remedies for Rheumatism. Unless anything else is ordered, cotton-wadding wrapped around the swollen joints, and covered with oil silk, will be found grateful; a kind of local vapor bath is produced by it. If this is not agreeable, rags may be dipped in a saturated solution of nitre in water, and applied, care being taken to keep them moist; oiled silk should be applied round these as well.

5529. Treatment of Chronic Rheumatism

5529.    Treatment of Chronic Rheumatism. When rheumatism becomes chronic, the general health, particularly tho diet in connection with the digestive powers, must be attended to with great care. The attacks often arise from pure debility, and will then be best cured by tonics and good food.