The Opelousas courier., 1886-05-29

reality mas no business to be called rheu
matlsm at all, except in a small nrnnor.
lion OF cases, where 1t follows an attach
~ rheumatic fever as a consequence. In
tnese instances it is no more to be con.
siaered as rheumatic than consumption
Oh the lungs following measles is to be
considered measles. Like any other or.
gan That has once suffered from disease
a JOINT that has been infamed from rheu.
matte fever becomes a point Of least re-
sistance and ready to become infamed
again on slight p~rovocation. Hence a
silght injury, blow, sprain or the like.
anectlng euch a joint, sets up an ordi-
nary Inflammation, which would not
occur had the joint always been healthy
Proionged exposure to cold and damp,
as by sleeping in cellars and easements,
or employment in workshops that are
Q u and humid, laboring while standing
IN water or IN swamps in the fall or win.
Ter, frequently occasion the disease. II
Is &c nerally observed in advanced life
the reverse of what is noticed in inAam-
mat DRY rheumatism. 1t is purely a local
disease not caused or kept up by any
1858 La ~ UkOCu.
Inc symptoms of chronic rheumatism
are these: One OF more Joints are almost
constantly tender; sharp pains are felt
IN them from time to time; changes in
Tn. weather and unusual pressure or
movement aggravate these pains, which
shoot in different directions from the
affected joints. Cold and wet weather
maket 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
a rule the disease drags on for months
and years. Complete recovery is the x
ceptlon, although some cases do get well,
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 DIES 'rable. Prolonged bath
ing the affected p TT 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, s'soldered together so
that no movements are possible, certain
surgical operations may make the condi-
ton more tolerable.
Mucular rheumatism is a 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
infiammations of the muscular structure,
while Others are of nervous origin. Some
of these affections have been traced to
their true 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
ingly. 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 fbers, leaving after il
Tor a long time more or less PAIN an0
tenderness on movements being at
tempted. Aside from the pain there is
no distinctive symptom uf muscular
rheumatism. There is usually no fever
and no serious consequences follow in It'll
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
origin and has no connection with rheu
matism.
The treatment is by warm baths. by
keeping the patient warm and perspirine
for a day or two; by effective doses Of
quinine, if there is suspicion of malaria
poisoning; and by rubbing the affected
parts with stimulating liniments. Parade
electricity, by which a strong impression
is made upon the nerves of the skin
often removes the pain at once.-a
Louis Gbbe-D Democrat.