New Britain herald., 1925-09-19
Your Health How to Keep It.
 Causes of Illness
By DIR. HUGH $, CUMMING Surgeon General, united States

By DIX. HINH S, lLMMlNG
 Surgeon General united States
 Public Health Service
 Rheumatism Is q disease of popu- lar interest because 1t is of frequent occurrence and 1t affects persons of all ages, classes. and occupations Acute rheumatism, acute articular rheumatism, innammatory rheuina- tism, and rheumatic fever are terms applied 10 one and the same disease. A milder form of the infection lg called suh-acute rheumatism.
 Sub-acute rheumatism may con- tinue for long lime and become chronic Chronic rheumatism. and the different aftectations and de- formities of the joints 10 which this term Is frequently applied, may de- Nelop quite Independently Of any acute or sub-acute attack
 Several different diseases. in real fly, are included under the term rheumatism.
 Physicians are nov inclined to disregard the word rheumatism and instead attach q name 10 the condi- ton that more accurately describes j', for example, an acute inflamna- tion of the joints is referred to by | physicians now as acute arthritis or lrheumatic fever, meaning a general condition accompanied by fever and , intiamed joints.
 Rheumatism affects particularly the joints and muscles or both.
 The form muscular rheumatism indicates an affection Of the muscles as distinguished from joint affec- lions. Lumbago and stiff neck are varieties of muscular rheumatism.
 May Follow Tonsilitis 1 Rheumatism may be an after ef. feet of an attack of cert ain diseases such as tonsiitis. scarlet fever ty- phoid fever. or other disease, or in- luries 10 the joints. also it may be caused by 2, focus or pus or disease germs in certain parts of the body.
 This latter condition is known as a focal infection. A focal infection means that somewhere in the body there is an infected tissue. thA ger {. Of disease germs, and the poisons from this spot arc being constantly absorbed by the blood.
 Common examples of focal infec- tion are diseased tonsils, a chroni. cally diseased appendix hemo, ? rhoids Or a tooth with a pocket of rus in the root
 Prolonged exposure to vet or cold weather may be contributing fac tor in producing rheumatism.
 The common complication of cer- tain forms of rheumatism is the damaging effect upon the valves of the heart.
 Acute Rheumatism or rheumatic fever is a comparatively common disease in all climates within the temperate zone.
 It occurs chiefly during the winter and spring months,
 Exposure 10 q cold. damp atnos phere is one of the most freouent causes in persons predspcsed 10 the disease.
 Acute rheumatism or rheumatic fever may or may not begin with a chill or sore throat. The }arget joints are usually affected, Swelling, heat, redness, tenderness, and pain are the chief symptoms. The heart is frequently involved.
 In chronic rheumatism there Is stiffness and pain. In severe cases the joints become enlarged and dis torted and the deformity is some times very great, Muscular rheumatism most ire quently affects the muscles of the back, the side of the neck, and the
 side of the chest, When the mus cles of the back are affected this , type of muscular rheumatism is usually called lumbago. When the muscles of the side oi the neck are affected the disease I, , known as stiff neck or wry neck , and when the muscles of the side ci
 the chest are involved the condition ! Is known ss pleurodynia. Exposure f to colds and sudden exposure of ths , body especially after exercise are the
 chief exciting causes. , The muscles may be slightly swol.
 len and very sensitive. Sometime.
 the attacks come on suddenly and apparently without cause, as a, kinl q in the back, following a slight twis
 or strain. Frequently a patient may ;. wake ur in the morning, as yor
 know. with a stiff neck. . How To Prevent Rheumatism
 A few hints concerning the pre- u vention of rheumatism: The clothing should always be
 adequate to protect the body from !, changes in temperature. yet suited to the atmospheric condition pres
 ent.
 $ A well-balanced diet should be ob U served. Milk Is always an accept. t able article or diet in cases of rheu matism. Lemonade and minera
 waters may be freely used. Plent, e of water should be taken and tn. Il intestinal tract kept open. = Persons suffering from rheuma l. tism should have a careful physica s examination made to determine f tt possible the cause that Is producing o the disagreeable symptoms. 1T When it has been determined tha' r. in the opinion of the examining s physician a focal infection exists ir y the body this condition should ht Is corrected,
 If