Arizona republican., 1893-03-19
RHEUMATISM.
IBY VIM. W. HIBBARD, M. D.l
I.

Acute rheumatism is very common disease and although it does not result fatally in the great majority of cases; in the acute form; nevertheless it not in- frequently leaves the patient in such an i'm mpaired condition that he is afflicted with numerous disturbed actions of the physical system and his life is thereby made miserable and shortened. The truth of this statement is forcibly seen in cases where. as a result of the disease vaIvular action of the heart becomes in volved. When this takes place the lin ing membrane of the heart is frequently affected and such an affection becomes a serious condition. n.-when the mem- brane referred to becomes intlammed the valves of the heart are liable to be. come thickened and contracted, and thus later on an organic disease of the parts occurs, thus it will be seen that what may at first seem Of functional character, that is seriously disturbed action without actual disease, may af- terward assume an organic phase in which the tissues of the organ itself be- come changed.
 Rheumatism probably causes more heart disturbance aud heart disease than any other affection. There are many forms of rheuinatism-the articles written upon this subject will. however, for the present refer to the acule form. Under the term rheumatism several affections are sanctioned in popular Ian. guage. as for instance, acute articular rheumatism, or rheumatic fever, chrome rheumatism - forms of rheumatism ,.at,I..I htt uhp,,rttiA, nt IhA ll...I ,.f morbid matter of certain infectious dis eases. There is also form which seems largely limited to the muscular system, thereby causing muscular pain without much inflammation. This form of the disease is met with more often in the back and chest than else | where.
 Acute rheumatism usually affects the entire system and is attended with much fever, and inflammation of the different join's of ihe body one after another being involved rather than all at the same time, an1 finally re 'ulting in many cases in an attack Of the struc- lures of the heart. It is generally | caused by certain obscure influences pertaining largely to the climate and iH- dividual. lt is shifting inflammation and is not necessarily confined 10 the joints. but may also attack other struc- | lures.
 There is no doubt as to the in herirance of rheumatism is many cases. In fact this may be said to be as import a cause az any. This disease is one that has an increasing liability to return. Contrary 10 the general impression rheumatism is by no means uncommon in early life the msjority o( first attack being under the age of thirty and many of these are under twenty years of age. | The state of health has much to do in developing rheumatism this i5 very noticeable among individuals who from one cause or other have become weak ened either from insufficient nourish. ment or disease, hence it's frequent oc- currencp among those who have been poorly fed, or among those who have carelessy exnosed themselves TO pre- 1 judicial influences, or by physical ex- cesses thus impairing the blood and de. | bilitating the nervous system. Although the state of the health has much to do with developing the disease there is generally added thereto spec ! ial predisposilion to it. It is supposed to be caused in many cases by the sup pression of the functions of the skin