The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-04-21

maClSm atall, except IN small proper
ton of cases, where it follows an ATTACK
OF rheumatic fever as consequence. Ii
these instances it is no more to be con
sidered as rheumatic than consumption
of the lungs following measles is to D'
considered measles. Like any other or
gan that has once suffered from disease,
a joint that has been infamed from rheu
matte fever becomes point of least re:
sistance and ready to become infameo
again on slight provocation. Hence
slight injury, blow, sprain or the like,
affecting such joint, sets up an ordl.
nary Inflammation, which would not
occur had the joint always been healthy
Prolonged exposure to cold and damp,
as by sleeping in cellars and Easements,
or employment in workshops that are
cold and humid. laboring while standing
in water or in swamps in the fall or win
ter, frequently occasion the disease. Il
is &c nerally observed in advanced life
the re-erse of what is noticed in inham.
mat ory rheumatism. It is purely loca!
disease, not caused or kept up by any
change in the blood.
The symptoms of chronic rheumatism
are these: One or more joints are almost
constantly tender; sharp pains are felt
in them from time to time; changes in
the weather and unusual pressure or
movement aggravate these pains, which
shoot in different directions from the
affected joints. Cold and wet weather
make the sufferings greater, while heat,
especially dry heat, gives relief. Stiff
ness and grating sounds are noticed when
the joints are moved, and occasionally
some swelling and increased heat in the
parts are observed. There is no fever,
or if any be noted, it is very mild. AS
rule the disease drags on for months
and years. Complete recovery is the ex-
ceptlon, although some cases do get we'll,
especially if their age is not advanced.
Prevention is, therefore, better than
cure. Internal remedies given with the
idea of 'clearing the rheumatism out Of
the blood" arc useless. To improve the
appetite and general condition is, Of
course, very desirable. Prolonged bath
ing the affected part in water as hot as
can be borne, painting the parts with
iodine, stimulating liniments, general
warm baths; massage or rubbing and
kneading the affected limbs; all these
have been found useful. If the joints
become useless, "soldered together" so
that no movements are possible, certain
surgical operations may make the condi-
tion more tolerable.
Mucular rheumatism is term that is
applied to any painful affection located
in the muscles. 1t is probable that very
few, if any of these, are truly rheumatic
in their nature. Some of them are real
infammations of the muscular structure,
while others are of nervous origin. Some
of these affections have been traced to
their true cause and are no longer called
rheumatic. The pains of lead poisoning,
of scurvy, of locomotor ataxy and OF
alcoholic poisoning, all formerly called
muscular rheumatism, are now placed
where they belong and managed accord
ing1y. Some of these affections are the
result of injury. Thus lumbago, ordi-
narily supposed to be rheumatic, Is
usually caused by some awkward move
ment that strains or breaks some muscu-
lar or tendinous fibers, leaving after it
for long time more or less pain and
tenderness on movements being at.
tempted. Aside from the pain there is
no distinctive symptom of muscular
rheumatism. There is usually no fever
and no serious consequences follow in its
train. There may be painful spasms of
the muscles, particularly of those which
hold the head in position, causing "wry
neck" but this is undoubtedly of nervous
orig in and has no connection with rheu-
matism.
The treatment is by warm baths, by
keeping the patient warm and perspiring
for day or two; by effective doses OF
quinine, if there is suspicion of malarial
poisoning; and by rubbing the affected
parts with stimulating liniments. Faradic
electricity, by which strong impression
is made upon the nerves of the skin,
often removes the pain at once.-&.
Louis GJ6e-Demoerat.