246 THE FARMER'S AND 



matory rheumatism, and sometimes seems to exist as a 

 primary affection. 



TREATMENT. There has been found no one plan of 

 treatment in this species of the disease, so effectual as the 

 following : Purge with senna and salts, every other day, 

 rub the parts well with volatile liniment, and use Cayenne 

 pepper and mustard at dinner, in large quantities, and on 

 going to bed thirty drops of laudanum, with a tea-spoonful 

 of the tincture of guaiacum. It is to be recollected, that 

 this is applicable only to chronic cases; if there is fever, 

 etc., it will do much damage. Should there be any cause 

 to suspect that a venereal taint is connected with it, have 

 recourse to the decoction of guaiacum and sarsaparilla. 

 A large blister frequently relieves the whole of the symp- 

 toms in the course of a night. The best safeguard against 

 the complaint, is the use of flannel next the skin, winter 

 and summer. 



RUPTURES. 



Ruptures are tumors caused by the protrusion of a part 

 of the bowels through certain natural openings. They 

 are divided into reducible, irreducible, and strangulated. 

 They mostly occur in men in the groin and bag. 



CAUSES. Straining in any way, as at stool, vomiting, 

 lifting heavy weights, violent exercise, as jumping, run- 

 ning, etc., a natural weakness of the parts. 



REDUCIBLE RUPTURES. 



SYMPTOMS. A small swelling, free from pain, and 

 generally soft, the color of the skin over it remaining 

 unaltered. While standing up, the swelling increases, on 

 lying down, it decreases, the patient being able to return 

 the parts himself, while in that position. The swelling is 

 also increased by coughing, sneezing, or straining as if 



