PECULIAR TO nOKSES. 75 



cooling applications, yet the practice is open to tlie followincj objec- 

 tion, viz., it raay augment the acute symptoms in and around the 

 joints, while it lessens theni on the sartaoe ; nevertheless, if action 

 of the cutaneous vessels can be maintained, refrigerating lotions can- 

 not do harm. 



As soon as the inflammatory symptoms have subsided, and all 

 danger of internal disease seems to have disappeared, we must com- 

 mence a difierent plan of treatment ; we must give tonics, not only 

 to promote the convalesence of the patient, but also in order to 

 prevent the disease assuming a chronic type, which is very apt to be 

 the case when the prostrating plan of treatment has been too long 

 continued, or practiced with undue severity. From among the fol- 

 lowing agents the practitioner can select a suitable touic : SulphatQ 

 of iron, cascarilla bark, gentian, quill bark, quinine, golden seal, 

 chamomile flowers, to either of which a small portion of ginger may 

 be added, provided a stimulant be indicated. 



CHRONIC RHEUMATISM. 



Chronic Rheumatism is generally a sequel to the acnte, yet if the 

 subject be closely watched, a train of phenomena may be observed, 

 very similar to those attending the acute stage, yet diflfering in its 

 gradual accession, obscure state of the phenomena, and less func- 

 tional and structural changes. 



At times, chronic rheumatism is nothing more than a modified 

 and protracted state of the acute stage ; it is migratory like the 

 former, attacking this, that, or other tissues, without reference to its 

 original locality. For example, a horse may, after a brisk driving 

 and subsequent exposure, become lame in the region of the fore ex- 

 tremities. This lameness may, perhaps, be defined as sub-acute, or 

 chronic rheumatism, from the fact that there is no increase in arte- 

 rial , or respiratory actions ; but the first thing we observe is, that 

 the subject is laboring under hyperti'ophy of the heart, perhaps car- 

 ditis^ or endo- carditis, and this is proof positive of the migratory 

 character of rheumatism, 



Jiut why should rhenmatis')n attack the heart f This is qtiite au 

 interesting question, and thus we answer it. The physiology of the 

 heart instructs us that its motions are governed by the impression 

 made upon the susceptible nervous tissues. Its responses are physi- 

 ological when the whole system is unembarrassed. It is the centre 

 not only of circulation, but of sympathy, and responds to the im- 

 pressions made upon the general system ; so that if any disturbance 

 shall occur in the animal economy, in the fonn of fever, sj^asm, «&c., 

 or the horse be aflTrighted, punished, or exposed to sudden variations 

 in temperature, the heart is one of the organs first deranged. 

 Rheumatism, therefore, being migratory, is apt, in traveling from 

 tissue to tissue, to locate on a deranged organ, especially when that 

 organ is one so easily excited as the heart. 



Causes of Rheumatism. — The especial cause of rheumatism is, 

 hereditary j)redisposition. In certain families, morbid tendencies 



