Diseases > Domestic medicine

DOMESTIC MEDICINE. 383
any considerable degree of fever, and is generally
confined to some particular part of the body, as the
thoulders, the back, or the loins. There is seldom
any inflammation or swelling in this case. Persons
in the decline of life are most subject to the chronic
rheumatism. In such patients it often proves ex¬
tremely obstinate, and sometimes incurable.
In this kind of rhematism the regimen should be
nearly the same as in the acute. Cool and diluting
diet, consisting chiefly of vegetable substances, as
stewed prunes, coduled apples, currants or goose¬
berries boiled in milk, is most proper. Arbuthnot
says, “ If there be a specific in aliment for the rheu¬
matism, it is certainly whey and adds, “ that he
knew a person subject to this disease, who could
never be cured by any other method but a diet of
whey and bread.” He likewise says, “ That cream
of tartar in water gruel, taken for several days, will
ease rheumatic pains considerably.” This I have
often experienced, but found it always more efficacious
when joined with gum-guaiacum, as already directed.
In this case the patient may take the dose formerly
mentioned, twice a-day, and likewise a tea-spoonful
of the volatile tincture of gum-guaiacum, at bed-time,
This course may be continued for a few weeks, or
longer, if the case proves obstinate, and the patient’s
strength will permit. It ought then to be omitted
for a few days, and repeated again. At the same
time leeches or a blistering plaster may be applied
to the part affected. What I have generally found
answer better than either of these, in obstinate fixed
rheumatic pains, is the imrm platter. I have like¬
wise known a plaster of Burgundy pitch worn for
some time on the part affected give great relief in
rheumatic pains. My ingenious friend, Dr. Alexan-