100 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



therefore, how fit electricity is for chronic rheumatism, and it 

 has been employed accordingly with success. The success in- 

 deed has been various: in some failing altogether, in others 

 proving a temporary relief only, in some doing harm, as the 

 disease upon quitting the joint fell on some internal part, 

 which was again relieved on the pains returning to the joints. 

 In some it has proved an entire cure. Possibly it has often 

 failed from not having been applied for a sufficient length of 

 time. This is requisite, and it is therefore neglected by us for 

 the same reasons as the frictions." 



The application of cold water by effusion or immersion, 

 " which acts by giving a tone, by stimulating and by exciting 

 a brisker circulation over the whole surface of the body. It is 

 not the astringent operation of cold ; for that is not required, 

 and would be hurtful : it must be its stimulant power ; the 

 proof of which is, that it operates better in pumping than by 

 immersion. If, therefore, the whole body in the latter case, or 

 the part in the former, quickly recovers it heat, or has it in- 

 creased with more flexibility, the bathing does good, otherwise 

 harm. So much depends upon exciting the action of the ves- 

 sels of the part, that Sir John Floyer, an advocate for cold 

 bathing, says, that then only is it effectual in chronic rheuma- 

 tism, when it is directed to sweating. 1 ' 



The application of essential oils of the most warm and pene- 

 trating kind ; the application of salt brine ; and, lastly, the 

 employment of exercise, either of the part itself, so far as it 

 can easily bear it, or of the whole body, by riding, or other 

 mode of gestation. 



CCCCLXXV. The internal remedies are, 



1. Large doses of essential oil drawn from resinous sub- 

 stances, such as turpentine. " The oil of turpentine is a sul 

 tile stimulus, and may be supposed to reach the whole sys- 

 tem ; but it is a disagreeable medicine, not easily taken in the 

 large quantity required, and I have not had experience of its 

 success." 



2. Substances containing such oils, as guaiac. "In cases of 

 chronic rheumatism, its virtues are more certainly established, 

 and the employment of its decoction has been sometimes sue- 



