as 
268° ‘BOTANIC PHYSICIAN. 
_ If this disease proceeds from an inflammatory, or vitiated. state of 
_ the fluids, cleansing medicines should be given afterwards to re- 
move the cause. If from debility, give tonics, &c. ° ors 
The chronic rheumatism is seldom attended with any considerable. 
jegree of fever, and is generally confined to some particular part, as : 
the shoulders, back, Joins, knees, &&c. There is seldom any inflamma- — 
tion or swelling in this case. This rheumatism is often caused bythe — 
use of mercury, and is most severe at night, when the patient begins: 
to grow warminbed. This is also the case when the cause is elas 
tic air. Sometjmes itis attended with a fever. 
This species of rheumatism is caused either by cold, or by vitiated 
humors of a scrofulous nature, or by mercurial debility. These, 
therefore, will guide the treatment. — 
In the first case hot stimulants should be applied, inwardly and 
outwardly ; as gum guaiacum, mustard, cayenne, cohosh, spirits of 
_ turpentine, ginger, zanthoxylum, lobelia, myrrh, grains of paradise, 
&c,. joined with aromatics. - 5 
- Af from foul humors, or mercury, cleansing medicines must be used 
in addition. In my practice I make use of the anti-mercurial syrup 
for this purpose. It has never failéd me in removing mercurial pains, _ 
when properly taken. 
Whey, for a common drink, is most excellent in this disease.  Blis- 
ters may sometimes be of service. A plaster of Burgundy pitch, of 
- of hemlock gum, or other warm plaster, worn for some time on the 
part affected, give great relief in rheumatic pains. : 
HIP-GOUT, OR SCIATICA. 
: s disease is so called because the pain is confined to the parts 
tthe hip. It is caused by injuries, and vitiated humors of the 
syster a centering there ; a thickening of the mucous in the joints 
or by any causes which produce rheumatism. 
dicines are 
pletbe beri 
