Veal, pork, goose, duck, turkey, salted, dried, potted or preserved fish
or meat (except fat bacon), eels, mackerel, crabs, salmon, lobster, eggs,
rich soups, gravies, patties, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, asparagus,
mushrooms, rhubarb, lemons, pickles, vinegar, fried or made dishes, rich
puddings, spices, pies, pastry, sweets, nuts, dried fruits, tobacco,
coffee, cider, malt liquors, sweet wines, champagne.
Treatment.--In an acute attack raise the affected limb and wrap the "sick"
joint in cotton wool; warm fomentations may be used. The wine or tincture
of colchicum in doses of twenty to thirty drops may be given every four
hours in combination with the citrate of potash, fifteen grains, or the
citrate of lithium five to ten grains. Stop the tincture of colchicum as
soon as the pain is relieved and then you can give wine of colchicum ten
drops every four hours, watching for irritation of the stomach, bowels and
kidneys.
Dr. Hare of Philadelphia says.--For hospital practice a very useful
mixture is made by adding one part of bicarbonate of sodium to nine parts
of linseed oil. The joint is then wrapped in a piece of lint soaked with
this concoction. In some cases oil of peppermint has been recommended. In
chronic gout Dr. Hare also gives for diet milk and eggs, the white meat of
chicken; fruits, cooked without sugar being added, are allowed. Tea and
coffee being used only in moderation. If any wine is taken it must be
followed by copious draughts of pure water and the last article should be
used ad libitum. On the other hand, pastries and, more than all, sweet
wines, are the worst things that such a patient can take, and must be
absolutely prohibited.
[318 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
RHEUMATIC FEVER (Articular Rheumatism).--Causes. This may be acute or
chronic. It is an infectious disease characterized by inflammation of
several joints. The joints are held in place by ligaments and are inclosed
by a thin membrane. In this acute rheumatism these parts become congested
and inflamed, there is redness and swelling, heat and pain. Fluid is
passed into the joint sometimes and then the parts look watery
(oeclematous). The inflammation and swelling cause great pain in the
joint.
Predisposing.--A damp climate, winter and spring, young adults and persons
who are exposed to damp, wet and cold.
Condition.--There is congestion of the soft parts of the joints and
effusion into the joint cavities of a watery fluid. Endocarditis,
pericarditis, myocarditis, pleurisy and pneumonia may complicate it. The
first named, endocarditis, is very common and as the mitral valves become
inflamed it is likely to leave valvular trouble unless carefully watched
and treated at the time.
Symptoms.--The invasion may be gradual, with a very tired feeling and
often tonsilitis; but it is usually sudden, with pains, soreness in one or
more joints and fever. The knees, ankles, elbows and wrists are much
affected, but it frequently goes through almost every joint in the body
and sometimes repeats the terrible dose. I know, for I had it twice. The
suffering, torture and pain sometimes are simply indescribable and almost
too hard to bear. The joints become hot, red, painful, swollen and tender
to touch and motion. It seems to hurt worse when anyone comes near, for
the patient is afraid of careless handling.
Fever.--This runs from 102 to 104 and is modified by profuse perspiration
with bad odor and, generally, it does not afford any relief. The urine is
very acid, very thick and looks like thick, strong coffee. The symptoms
frequently disappear partially from one joint or joints as they begin in
other joints, attacking several in rapid succession, the fever varying and
changing with the degrees of joint involvement.
We may see the shoulder and hip, the elbow and wrist, knee and ankle,
etc., all affected at once: Heart complications are frequent and bear
close watching, for they are dangerous to life and the future health of
the patient. The patient becomes very anemic and this progresses rapidly.
When improvement does begin it is gradual; or the disease may become
chronic. Care must be taken not to be too active when improvement sets in
or you will cause a return by using the joints before they have become
thoroughly well. I did the same thing in my anxiety to get out, but would
never be as reckless again. Pain and stiffness of the joints often last
long after convalescence has set in. One who has had this disease once is
liable to another attack if he is not careful.
[CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES 319]
MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Articular Rheumatism.--A gentleman sends us the
following treatment for articular rheumatism and writes as follows: "I
send you the following treatment for articular rheumatism because I used
it myself and was cured in a very short time, in fact, about ten days. It
was a number of years ago in the early spring when my knee joints, ankles
and wrists began to pain me and continued to become worse for about a
week, at the end of which time both my knees were perfectly stiff. I sent
for my physician; he wrapped my knees with common baking soda; taking long
wide bandages he was enabled to have the baking soda a fourth of an inch
thick around the knee, raising the bandage as he laid the soda on; after
this was completed I had heavy wet hot cloths laid around my knee and
renewed every fifteen or twenty minutes for probably eight or ten hours.
In the meantime I was taking the salicylate of soda and the cathartic,
veronica water, as directed below. The following day I sat up with my legs
resting on a chair, straightened out, and hot flat irons at my knees. I
began this treatment on Saturday, and the following Thursday was able to
walk about and go out of town, and never had rheumatism since, but at two
or three different times I suspected it was coming on and used the
salicylate of soda and veronica water as a successful preventive; at least
the rheumatism did not materialize.
Veronica Water.--Dose:--Glassful every two and one-half hours till bowels
are free, then one dose a day.
Also
Salicylate of Soda 1 ounce
Water 6 ounces