Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-15
The Cure Of Rheumatism.

Cousin Mary he said with a happy laugh.
We'H refuse or accept Kate together now
Hdrper's Bazaar.
The Cure Of Rheumatism.
From Harper's Monthly.
Iacit.y, very large number Of medical men
look upon chronic rheumatism and its allied
disorder. govt, as all but incurable diseases
so DO most people who have the misfortune to
suner from these ailments. 81 am subject to
rheumatism" person will tell you. Anything
starts 1t up; sometimes nothing at all seems to;
ana believe 1t comes and goes periodically, and
shall De martyr to it as long as live" Such
individuals, however, If they happen to be at all
weli-to-do in the world. spend small fortune
annually In drugs. alternatives, tonics cordlals
narcotics, ETC., which they sometimes canddly
ciable benefit
Now In this paper think shall be able to
give word or two of comfort to all classes who
suner nom chronic rheumatism or govt; for
may say at once that this ailment govt is more
nearly allied to rheumatism than most people
think; that It's causes are similar: and that its
oietetlc treatment should be carried out on the
same principles.
1t is very often the case thst an attack of
rheumatic fever issues in the martyrdom to
chronic rheumatism which shall last while life
does. At the time the fever commences the
blood IL In an acid condition; so:are all the &C.
cretions; chill Is TAKEN and Inflammation, with
or without deposit. is set up in the fbrons
sheaths Of the joints, in the ligaments of the
muscles, and even in the synovlal membranes
themselves. There is little doubt that joints
which have once suffered ara rendered more
subject to future attacks Be that as it may,
there is one thing I wish the reader to bear in
mind, viz. this-there is an excess Of acid III
the body at the time one is suffering from rheu-
matism, however slight; even the perspiration
smells more sour and there is irrtability ofauthe
mucous membrane, not only OF that which lines
the digestive canal. but of that which lines
every part Of the body. We are justified in be-
lieving that it is this excess of uric acid which
causes the rheumatic symptoms. II so, ask
every one who possesses a spark of common
sense does the chief indication of our treatment
not point to means which shall prevent the
formation of such excess Of acid and at the
same time get rid Of that which already exists
In the blood?
Now 1 stretch ont my hand and pull down a
book from one Of my shelves. It is an authority,
and has been for years In our medical schools.
do not say that In many things it Is not very
excellent work. But listen: the following
among other drugs, are recommended in the
treatment Of chronic rheumatism: Arnica arse
mic, aconite, ammonia, and bark; colchicum
cod-liver oil. and corrosive sublmate sarsapa-
rilla and sulphur; quinine, liquor potassa, NOR
phia, opium. and chOrOfOrm iOdide of potas-
SUM, fOdide of iron. oil of turpentine gua,acum
red iodide of mercury. Indian hemp and ipecac-
uanha-manv of these to be taken internally; and
topically there are blisters and liniments, and
ointmente and plasters a box heater. bladder
of ice, and redhot button Called the. moxa)
Over and above all this, residence in various
climates at home and abroad is recommended
and last-and certainly not least-attention is
advised to be given to the organs of digestion.
Far be it from me- however to cast obloquy
on medicines which may be administered by the
hands OF the family physician, whether that
medicine be for the naturalization Of ACID in the
system or the relief of pain. But naturalization
OF existing acid merely leaves the system in
stGtu quo, and narcotics and anesthetics inyari-
ably weaken the nerve centers; therefore say
that In the treatment Of chronic rheumatism,
and the prevention Of its recurrence. we must
depend more on diet and regimen than on any
thing else
Rheumatism is as often as not caused by over
eating. and especially by overindulgence in
meat, which is certain to cause an excess of
uric acid, and render the body liable, on expo
sure to wet or cOld to an attack. We know
that old people are proverbaly liable to rheu-
matism. The reasons for this are not far to
seek. One Is that joints and lgaments are
harder and sitter, and very often contain de-
posit-urate OF soda. Another is that as rule,
people up in years eat more than is necessary to
support life, under the mistaken notion that
they want a deal OF nourishment to keep them
up. say that. on the contrary, the wesr and
1t is In earlier manhood, and that far less food is
required Therefore If an elderly person would
live long, and be free Of aches and pains, and
be calm in mind-for that is great desidera-
tpm-he or she must live abstemiously, more or
less
Chronic rheumatism Is far more common than
most persons are aware of, but it is often in
character what we may call suppressed-that
Is, 1t attacks the internal organs instead joints
and muscles, though these may suffer at the
m mr. mo tivnn oy,6 49,
complains Of his liver being out Of order or of
tit OF indigestion, when the real cause of his
trouble lies in the blood, which is for the time
being poisoned with uric acid.
know an old naval captain who says he can
always ward of fit Of threatened illness by a
days 'good starvation" Well, it is a strange
remedy. but 1t certainly gives the mucous me m
brane rest, and affords the blood time to get
rid OF its impurities. My friend says he ''wakens
next day as fresh as daisy" and do not doubt
remedy worse than the disease it is meant to
Oanish"
As to climate in the cure ofrheumatism, much
might be said; but what brooks it that one So
journs in warm countries, if he goes on manu-
featuring in his system the very acid or acids
that generate his complaint.
No, believe me, it is not in climate alone that
you are to look for relief nor is it from drugs
You are to expect radical cure. We must 60
to the fountain-head of the evil; we must attend
W tHc organs vi ulgeStlOn, ana TO regimen CAL
culated to crush the evil in the bud
But inasmuch rs it is all but impossible to live
SO strictly by rule as we would require to il SUBJ
Ject to chronic rheumatism, either externally, in
the muscles and joints, or Internally in stomach,
lungs, liver. or brain, or all combined. we ought,
to adopt some rational means to get rid of the
acid in the system.
Shall we use or prescribe purgatives? l think
not. If any aperient Is ever used-and it should
be but seldom-it ought to be we'll chosen and
very mild People cannot go on taking aperients
and hope to live long. Seek, therefore. Tor free
dom in the system By taking judicious amount
of wholesome, exhilarating exercise. and do not
forget that mixing IN pleasant society in the
earlier hours Of the evening has q wonderful
power In toning the whole system and assisting
digestion. Who has not observed that dinner
or supper could be eaten abroad in cheerful
company, where suggestive and agreeable con-
versation was carried on, without i'll effects
which, If taken at home. would be productive
of a restless night, furred tongue, and heavy
head in the morning?
Shall we depend upon diuretics and remedies
that increase the action of the liver? Well /
grant you that such remedies do good for a
time. But let the liver or kidneys be the strong
est and healthiest that ever existed, they will
60 to the wall some day if constantly stimulated
to action.
No; let Us rather be taught BY Nature. When
one is Ill OF rheumatic fever, the perspiration il
profuse and acid. Here is Nature carrying of
the poison In her own way. Let US initiate her
Keep the skin therefore. in constant good
tone and working order The matutinal sponge