The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1897-12-17
RHEUMATISM.
Folly OF Chasing 1t Among Contagto u
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/ ~>~S - Se~sss.sA - NAsA~MA SvWsoAsV ~
| ..< Diseases. H.,
/ In lightly asserting the contagious ma
ture of rheumatism, the doctors presume
on the forbearance of the public. 1t is
not disease about which anything posi-
tive can be affirmed without an appear
ance of reckless audacity. Upstart disor-
ders of modern origin, less common, less
dangerous to life, and far less excruciat-
ing, have. under the microscope, yielded
| up fantastic bacilli as their source, thus
suggesting their character and the means
of their subjugation. Rheumatism, how
ever-older than the craven Sphinx.
| Adams foul-weather gauge, the bane of
Noah's life in the damp days of the del
uge-remains stupendous, elusive mys-
| terry. and repr0ach to the medical pro-
treatment is empirical, its prognosis Is
blind guesswork. 1t is at once the most
painful, fugacious. and illogical Of dis
eases. Established in the knee, for ex-
ample, it seems to break down the COM
| p'icated mechanism of the joint, resolv-
ing the various tissues into sensitive nerve
pulp. In a day, perhaps. it is gnawing
recent seat without a trace of its awful
| presence.
Anything of painful character that
| battles the inquiries of the doctors IS
classed under the vague and peridious IT,
tie of rheumatism. The only qualities
common to it's different forms are intense
pain and the helplessness of the physician.
The 'only treatment common to its differ
| ent forms is the administration of an
! alkali, and ON its inevitable failure the
administration of an acid. Of all the
manifold Affections that restrain the
| gayety of nations, rheumatism is the last
about which anybody should dogmatize.
Hhn aft ify,Hf Of nfkASS1 n.
wards it is one of humility and awe.
| 1t is enough that the victim Of rheuma-
| tism is without the hope of human aid,
| and that he is already regarded as Il cen
| ter of moral pestilence, without proclaim
ing him a center of physical contagion.
Profanity and pugnacity are as essential
, neculiarities of the disease as pain Itself.
clutches of rheumatism is one Of the
Saddest of spectacles-so sad that the re-
| cording angel may be expected to omit
good deal of profanity, as he is bound to
do unless he happens to be an expert
stenographer. 1t is Il case in which con-
siderate friends leave harmless missiles
within the patients reach, that he may
vary the monotony of pain with the pleas
ure of personal assault. To maintain the
contagious character of rheumatism is to
consign the victim to the exclusive care
of the professional nurse who is trained
" OOuSe looks, DOolS anu Otuef DeuSiue
missiles, and trained against shock from
the most virulent explosives.
In short, it is almost certain that the
doctors have no such exact knowledge of
rheumatism as to warrant the seclusion
of the patient and the severe regulation
of the Turkish-bath establishment, from
which contagious rheumatism would
spread like a scandal.-Leslie's Weekly.
Wisconsin Patents.
Patents for the following Wisconsin
inventors are reported for this week by
Erwin, Wheeler & Wheeler, So and SO
Loan and Trust building, Milwaukee,
Wis. These attorneys will furnish the
Inventors Handbook free:
NJ D. Ahearn, Green Bay, machine for
shingle Saving machine; G. A. Cheney, Madi-
son, toy; G. l.. Fortier, Milwaukee, assgr.,
heat regulating apparatus; ]. A. FrenZel,
Wausau, straw cutter; H. L. Hanson, assgr.,
Union Mills, stove polishing brush; w. c.
Hood, assgr., school desk standard; H. F.
Jonas. assgr:, Oshkosh, bag handle; I. 6.
Kruger, Wrightstown, wrench; ]. Reich
ert.. assgr., Racine, seat; J. w. Dalter,
assgr., Oshkosh. shading and spacing tool;
G. D. Hayes, Chetek, display cabinet; Kur-
VEN Dress Stay Co., Eau Slaire, dress stays
(trade mark