APPLICATION OF VERATRIA IN RHEUMATISM. sy 
External Application of Veratriain Rheumatism. | 
From what has been said in the foregoing chapter on the subject 
of the external employment of Veratria in neuralgia, it will not be 
requisite to introduce here any further remarks, except such as are 
exclusively applicable to the effect produced by it upon rheumatism 
in its various forms. — 
In the acute form of the disease, the Veratria ought not to be 
employed, if there be active inflammation going on in the affected 
parts ; as it is much better to treat the acute symptoms in the usual 
manner ; but when these are on the decline, the ointment may be 
had recourse to with advantage. | | 
From the extent of surface affected in acute rheumatism, and 
from the quantity of ointment which is on that account required 
for the friction, the proportion of Veratria ordered in the prescrip- 
tion should not be so great as in the diseases already treated of; for 
in this, as in other affections, the strength of the ointment should 
always bear a certain relation to the space over which it is to be 
applied. 
In cases where the rheumatism is general, or where it is seated 
in several joints at the same time, ten grains of Veratria to an ounce 
of lard will make an ointment sufficiently powerful for every pur- 
pose ;* but where it is confined to one or two joints, or where it 
has assumed the chronic form, the quantity employed may be 
varied according to circumstances, from ten to twenty or more 
grains, and the friction may be continued in either case as long as 
the patient can bear it ; or if it be requisite to specify a fixed portion 
of time—as a general rule, it may be stated, that in the earlier 
stages of the disease fifteen minutes, and in long standing examples 
twenty, will be enough to remove the existing pain. 
When the case to be treated is decidedly chronic in its nature, 
much perseverance is requisite, particularly if extensive organic 
changes in the parts have taken place ; the best directions are, to 
rub the affected joints every night for the time specified, until the 
pain has disappeared ; and at any future period, when from change 
of weather, or other cause, it again returns. In slight acute affec- 
tions, arising from cold, one or two applications, continued until 
the heat and tingling manifest themselves, often effect a cure. 
- The directions which have now been given will, in most cases, 
prove sufficient to enable the practitioner to make use of the Veratria 
ointment in the more topical forms of rheumatism, as well as in 
those already pointed out: and little more appears requisite than 
simply to enumerate such as it may be applied in with the most 
evident advantage. , , 
In lumbago, sciatica, rheumatic affections of the muscles over the 
«Tn this form of the disease, it will be found advantageous to administer some 
one of the preparations of Veratria, already recommended, at the same time that 
the frictions are used. 
4* 
