Huntsville gazette., 1882-04-15
A HUMAN BAROMETER.
The Real Relation Between the Human
Body and the Weather Scien-
tifically Explained.
Scientific American.

One of the most valuable developments OF
modern science along the line Of human ne
cessity is the National Weather Bureau at
Washington. Experience has shown that
eghty-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 seaman, the agriculturist and
the entire commercial world. The service has
proven it's necessity by its usefulness, for in
past times the facilities for foretelling atmos-
pherc changes were meager indeed. The only
indications our fathers bad of coming changes
in the weather were aching limbs, twinging
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. 1t foretells 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, correct explanation OF
what rheumatism (which seems in league
with the atmosphere) really is. 1t was
originally thought by many to be trouble
in the joints, and as such was treated in the
most strange, not to say ridiculous, manner.
This theory became dispelled when the same
trouble attacked the muscles, and the feeling
thon prevailed that it was apurely muscular dis
order. But this idea was found to be too mar
row, and now it is universally conceded that
rheumatism is blood disease. And what
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
facf in md oil
ways accompanied by intense pain. At one
time it is infiammatory, 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 and always to be dreaded The
pain and annoyance of rheumatism are
| increased by its great danger, for it is
liable to attack the brain or heart at
any moment, thereby causing instant death.
Indeed, nearly every case of heart dis
ease, with all its dreadful suddenness
which has ever occurred, can be traced moro
or less directly to rheumatic causes In its
! chronic form it stiffens the joints, contracts
| the muscles, undermines the health and ruins
the life. 1t frequently attacks men and
women who are apparently in perfect health.
| Indeed, it is as greatly to be dreaded as any
| possible form of physical woe.
But, however severe its effects may be, the
exact cause of this blood trouble has Teen an
| undecided question, and 1t Is only within the
| past year that any decision upon the subject
has teen reached. In order 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 the land and these inquiries
were responded to quite generally, thus fur
nishing data of great value to science and
mankind. The views held by the doctors are
of varied nature, but so overwhelming a
proportion holds to one belief as to leave but
little doubt that it is the correct one This
| belief, briefly stated, is that uric acid in the
blood causes rheumatism, and that it is only
| by removing this poisonous acid that rheu-
matte or neuralgia troubles in all their terrible
forms can be cured. This being true, the i'm
portant question arises: g How does this
poisonous uric acid get into the blood, and
| how can it best be removed2" Uric ac:d is a
waste material of the body which the kidneys
should carry out, but because they are weak
| ened they cannot throw it from the system.
/ Restore the kidreys and you restore the power
! that will force the uric acid from the system
| and thus Danish the rheumatic agonies which
! IL causes. This is reason; it is science No
one whose kidneys are in perfect condition
| was ever troubled with rheumatism, and no
rheumatic sufferer, however slight the pain
may be, has perfect Kidneys. The conclusion
of this truth is inevitable, perfect kidneys
! mean freedom from rheumatism,