Nebraska advertiser., 1882-04-27
A HUMAN BAROMETER.
The Real Relation Between the Human
Body and the Weather Scien- g.
J y tifcally Explained Wv
Scientific american.

g"
One of the most valuable developments OF
modern Acience, along the line OF human me-
cessity is the National Weather Bureau at
Washingtona Experience has shown that
,eighty-six per cent. of the predictions Of the
Signal service are accurate; and these predic-
tions are unquestionably OF the greatest ad-
vantage to the.seanian, the agriculturist and
the entire commercial world. The service has
proven its necessity by its usefulness, for in
past times the facilities for foretelling atmos-
pheric changes were meager indeed. The only
Indications our fathers had of coming changes
in the weather were aching limbs, twnging
Joints or painful corns. These Indications
though crude, were usually correct, and hence
naturally suggest the inquiry as to the rela-
tion between the human system and the
weather The body is unquestionably an ex-
cellent barometer. It foretels changes in the
atmosphere long before they occur, and this
fact has been taken advantage of by ply
sicians who, when all other agencies fail, pre-
scribe change of air, thus hoping the body
may find an atmospheric condition better
suited to its needs And yet the real relation
between the human body and the weather. has
never been fully understood, nor has there
ever been, until now, "a correct explanation of
what rheumatism (Which seems in league
with the atmosphere) really is. 1t was
originally thought by many to be a trouble
in the joints, and as such was treated in the
most strange, not to say ridiculous, manner.
lulb luGOll DtCdlllt ulnl Nllcl HbnC bdult
trouble attacked the muscles, and the feeling
then preyailedthati 1t was purely muscular dis
order. But this idea was found tobe too mar
row, and now it is universally conceded that
rheumatism is a blood disease. And what a
terrible disease it is. 1t often comes without
warning and prostrates the system with
agony. Again its beginning is gradual, and
its growth slow. In its acute form it mani
tests itself in every conceivable shape and al
Kays accompanied by intense pain. AT one
time it is infammatory, at another neuralgia.
Sometimes it assumes the form of gout, and
again that of pleurisy or lumbago; but in
whatever manner it appears it is terribly
painful aud always TO be dreaded. The
pain and annoyance Vof rheumatism are
increased by its great danger, for it Is
liable to attack the brain or heart at
any moment, thereby causing instant death.
ease, With III 'itss ydreadiful suddenness Si @
which has ever occurred, can be traced more
or less directly to rheumatic causes. In its
chronic form it' stiffens the joints, contracts
the muscles, undermines the health and ruins
the life. It frequently attacks men and
women who are apparently in perfect health.
Indeed, 1t IS as greatly tobe dreaded as any
possible form OF physical woe. 81 s 80
But, however severe its effects may be, the
exact cause of this blood trouble has been an
undecided question, and il is only within the
past year that any deci cisiOn upon the subject
has been reached Inorder to fully determine
what the cause OF rheumatic disorders really
was, certain authorities sent letters OF inquiry
from Washington to the leading practicing
physicians OF tile land, and these inquiries
We're responded 20 quite generally, thus fur.
nishing data Of great oyalpe Ito sseience and
mankind The Views held by the doctors are
OF a varied nature, but so.oyerwhelming a
proportion holds to one BELIEF as TO leave but
little doubt that it is the correct one. This
belief, briefly stated, Is tnat uric acid in the
blood causes rheumatism and that ii is only
by removing this poisonous acid that rheu-
matte or neuralgic troubles in all their terrible
forms can be cured. This being true, the Inn
portant question arises; "How does this
poisonous uric acid get into the blood, and
waste material of the body which the kidneys
should carry out, but because they are weak
ened they cannot throw 10 from the system.
Restore the kidneys and you restore the power
that will force the uric acid from the system