538 DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF LOCOMOTION. 



action of the steam douche. Besides the above-named local remedies, 

 and the popular resin and narcotic plasters, the application of " gout- 

 paper" (gicht papier), skins of animals, wadding, raw wool, cotton, etc., 

 which partly favor derivation to the skin, partly maintain an equable 

 temperature, other remedies are also used locally, which are expected 

 to be absorbed, and consequently act favorably on the course of rheu- 

 matism. Chief among these remedies are iodine and mercury. Little 

 as I recommend frictions with mercurial ointment in these affections 

 generally, I must still decidedly advise continued frictions of ointment 

 of iodide of potassium, or of mercurial ointment, with iodide of potas- 

 sium (3j ^ ss), in old cases of fixed arterial rheumatism, where ab 

 straction of blood and derivatives have proved inefficacious. The see 

 ond of these salves causes slight derivation to the skin at once, and, 

 after a few days, there is an eczematous eruption of the part. Paint- 

 ing the part once or twice daily with a lAigoVs solution (iodine 3 ss, 

 potass, iod. 3 ss, aq. dest. | j ij) does excellent service. Among 

 the most efficient methods of treating chronic articular rheumatism is 

 the constant current of electricity. My experience with it is not very 

 great, it is true ; but it fully confirms the reports of Remdk and Er #, 

 that even obstinate cases of chronic articular rheumatism are usually 

 cured after a few sittings. I pass quite strong currents through the 

 affected joint, by applying thin metallic plates to the skin over the 

 joint, instead of using the common olive-shaped electrodes. When 

 the pain becomes too severe at the point where the negative pole is 

 applied, I change the electrodes. The very favorable results of the 

 constant current in chronic articular rheumatism confirm me in the be- 

 lief that its results in neuralgias and paralysis also depend on its cata- 

 lytic action. In the constitutional treatment, which must take a promi- 

 nent part in the vague form of chronic rheumatism, and must be used 

 in connection with local treatment in the fixed form, the systematic 

 employment of warm baths deserves most confidence. As no physi- 

 cian of experience will deny, many persons are perfectly cured by one 

 or more courses of treatment at Wildbad, Gastein, Pfaffers, Ragaz, 

 Teplitz, Wiesbaden, Rehme, etc., who had previously resisted all kinds 

 of treatment for years. The fact that warm springs of very varied 

 chemical composition, as well as those whose waters contain very little 

 mineral matter, have equal reputation in chronic rheumatism, indicates 

 very decidedly that the effect is much more dependent on the bathing 

 in warm water than on the different qualities of the water. In well- 

 constructed hospitals, provided with suitable baths, just as good re- 

 sults are attained in the treatment of chronic rheumatism as at Aix-la- 

 Chapelle, Teplitz, and Wildbad, as I can show by some very striking 

 although not very numerous cases from the Greifswalder clinic. In 



