The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1889-01-12
RHEUMATISM
Some OF the Causes Which Lead 70 the
Dreaded Compiaint-It Lays the
Foundation Of Heart Disease.

Some OF the Causes Which Lead 70 the
Drsadsd Complaint-It Lays the
Foundation OF Heart Disease.
Among the diseases which must me-
cessarily be expected to be quite common
during the next four or five months is
rheumatism, complaint which but few
adults can boast OF having entirely
escaped. Almost every one knows that
patients suffering from IL seldom die,
aud, hence, its Importance is very often
moderated. and treatment Is but in
differently applied, the services OF q
physician not being deemed necessary.
IL Is true the death rate from il is very
small--probably no more than three out
OF hundred die from acute rheumatism.
But death far more often occurs rs an
indirect consequence of that complaint,
for during an attack In very many cases
seeds arc sown which sooner or later
develop into the gravest OF diseases.
Hence, painful as it is, the suffering OF
the victim is not the feature OF the dis
ease most to be dreaded; it is the trouble
which is so very likely 10 follow on its
trail. This fact, when considered with
the prevalence OF the disease, leads. US
10 believe that discussion OF rheuma-
tism will not be uninteresting TO our
readers.
SOME CAUSES OF RHEUMATISM.
Just what is the actual cause of
rheumatism has never as yet been de-
termined. IL is now accepted by ply
sicians that for person 20 have il there
must be in him some popularity OF con-
stitution, some unhealthy condition,
which is essential TO il, and without
which the disease cannot exist. Any
impairment of the general health ia
yors il; there are also certain Diseases,
such as dysentary, scarlet fever and cry
sipelas, during or after which rheuma-
tism is especially liable 10 appear. Then
there are variety OF affections, such
as scrofula, consumption and cancer,
which are so often associated with rheu-
matism that connection is plain.
When there exists the conditions essen
tial for the development Of rheumatism
the sparks IL were, ready 10 kindle--
then exposure 10 cold, damp, sudden
changes in the weather and the like, are
sufficient to bring on IAN attack No
small proportion of those who are termed
rheumatics inherit their susceptibility to
the disease. Among all who suffer
from il, il is safe 10 say that nearly
one-third have bad transmitted to them
by Inheritance a rheumatic tendency or
faint. This constitutional tendency, as
far as acute attacks of the disease are
concerned, i'm large proportion of
cases shows itself before the
twentieth year is reached.
SOME CURES.
II is well known that in certain locali
ties, thickly settled, where the ground is
low, is imperfectly drained, the air is
impure and sunlight is much shut out,
there rheumatism would he more COM
mon than whore the conditions are the
reverse. This fact suggests, OF course,
that TO secure healthy home Is one OF
the first considerations. Correct per-
sonal habits are all powerful in the pre-
ventation of rheumatism. IL one keeps
his skin i'm state Of healthy activity, he
has little To fear from that disease, eth
err from susceptibility TO il or from
colds, which are so essential 10 its devel-
opment. Cold sponge baths, followed
by hard rubbing, are held as the most
efficient means 10 keep the skin in good
tone and the pores properly opened, and
10 invigorate the entire system, nervous
as we'll as circulatory. Every compara-
lively young person In reasonably good
health can employ them; those for
whom they are u hardship should find
out through their physician tho reason
why.
and drinking should of course be uni
versal. Those who have inherited tend
ency TO rheumatism should be very care
full about their diet, restricting them
selves 10 those foods which they know
TO be easily digestible and nutritious.
Fries, salads and. in fact, all such foods
rich in fats, are only TO be eaten spar
ingly, and, as n rule, an avoidance OF
them Is best. We know that those who
are subjects 10 rheumatism are singu-
larly inclined 10 be bilious and suffer
more or less from indigestion. There
fore, when those troubles exist, treat
ment should be applied without delay,
for, IL neglected, the disease in question
must be more likely to occur Regular
ity in eating is also to be urged, for
those who are predisposed to rheuma-
tism suffer from long fasting. Children
OF rheumatic parents should never be
allowed tea nor coffee, and especially
the latter. They certainly should be
brought up TO drink milk or cocoa. Con-
nection between the disease under con-
sideration and excessive meat eating
cannot, OF course, be traced, and yet
there IS reason for believing that diet
approaching that OF the vegetarian Is
best suited 10 those who have inherited
the rheumatic faint. la them, too,
habits OF temperance are TO be encour-
aged, for alcoholic aud malt liquors can
but Increase the liability TO the disease
OF their parents. Again, from them
should DO withheld as much as possible,
sweets and pastries, and with the ooarser