‘APPLICATION OF VERATRIA IN RHEUMATISM. — 41 
‘swollen, and also gave pain on motion, so that the patient could not 
use them in writing; but had been, in consequence, in the habit 
_ of employing the left hand for that purpose. 
_ This patient had previously applied many remedies, without 
obtaining benefit from them, and he was now ordered to rub the 
affected joints twice a day with the Veratria ointment ; and in a 
day or two all uneasiness had left the shoulder and elbow, and he 
could now move the arm with facility. The disease in the joints 
of the fingers was also much relieved, but the swelling appeared 
nearly the same ; he was directed to continue the application of 
the ointment to them occasionally, until it produced some effect. He 
returned at the end of about six weeks, and at that time the pain 
and swelling had disappeared, and he had recovered the entire use 
of the hand. . 
CASE VI. 
Mrs. P., about fifty-two years of age, has been for the last twelve 
years affected with chronic rheumatism in the joints of the inferior 
extremities, but particularly in the hip and knee of the right side. 
Her sufferings for a considerable time have been augmented by 
variationsin the state of the weather ; and, for the last five years, 
the joints in which the disease is situated have been so painful and 
rigid, as to oblige her to make use of supports in walking; the 
knee is much swollen, and gives a sensation of crepitus when 
moved. : 
In the previous treatment of this case also, remedies of every 
description had failed to do good ; and in order to try the effects of 
the Veratria, it was directed to be rubbed on twice a day in the 
usual manner, and to be persevered in for some time. At the end 
of a fortnight the symptoms were much relieved, and she could 
move the limbs with some degree of ease ; she went on improving, 
and after six weeks could walk three miles at a time with little 
difficulty, and without support. 
CASE VII. 
Mr. K.,a gentleman thirty-five years of age, has been the sub- 
ject of repeated attacks of lumbago, for several years, and the pain 
has occasionally been such as to confine him to bed for a fortnight 
at atime. When the disease first made its appearance the patient 
was bled and blistered repeatedly, and took many remedies in- 
ternally, but particularly colehicum, and these means were always 
followed by relief. 
During the two attacks which had occurred previously to that in 
which the Veratria was used, he had supplied sinapisms to the seat 
of the pain, and taken large doses of colchicum, with the effect of 
removing the symptoms ; but not till the plan had been continued 
for about three weeks. 
