480 THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



but there is no history of gonorrhea. Actsea will often give instant relief in these 

 cases, and restore the joints to their original suppleness and usefulness after iodide 

 of potassium and other remedies have been tried in vain. It may be given in three- 

 drop doses of the tincture every three hours in a tea-spoonful of water. 



Aconite (Pr. 38) is often of service, and is more especially adapted to rheumatism 

 of the shoulder and other large joints. 



Pulsatilla (Pr. 43) often affords relief when the knee, ankle, or instep is the seat 

 of the complaint. It is especially indicated when the pains fly from place to place. 

 It nearly always proves useful when the patient is a delicate female suffering from 

 some irregularity of the periods. 



Bryony (Pr. 49) is useful chiefly when the lower limbs are affected. It is 

 especially indicated when the pain is increased by motion. It has been found to 

 succeed best in people of dark hair and complexion. 



Nitrate of potash is indicated when the pains are accompanied by scanty high- 

 coloured urine, becoming turbid on cooling. Ten grains of the salt dissolved in 

 water and taken hourly or every two hours will, in most cases, soon increase the 

 flow of urine and render it clear and limpid, when the rheumatic pains generally 

 decline. 



Lime-juice, taken in doses of from six to eight ounces daily, will sometimes 

 prove successful when everything else has failed. It is not uncommon to hear 

 people say that they have gone the whole "round of the doctors" without ex- 

 periencing any benefit, and have then cured themselves by taking lime-juice. 



Guaiacum is often employed, especially in what is called " cold " rheumatism, in 

 which the symptoms are relieved by warmth. Half -drachm doses of the ammoniated 

 tincture of guaiacum may be given every four hours in milk. It is the chief 

 ingredient in the remedy known as " Chelsea Pensioner," which has obtained a 

 great reputation with many old soldiers as a cure for " rheumatics." Its composi- 

 tion is as follows : 



CHELSEA PENSIONER. 

 Take of Powdered guaiacum, an ounce. 



Powdered rhubarb, two drachms. 

 Bitartrate of potash, a drachm. 

 Sublimed sulphur, a drachm. 

 Powdered nutmeg, half a drachm. 

 Honey, a pound. 

 To be mixed thoroughly. Two large table-spoonfuls to be taken night and morning. 



Another formula is : 



Take of Powdered guaiacum, a drachm and a half. 

 Mustard powder, three drachms. 

 Sublimed sulphur, three drachms. 

 Powdered rhubarb, forty-five grains. 

 Nitrate of potash, forty-five grains. 



Mix thoroughly. A tea-spoonful of the powder may be taken in milk at bed-time, 

 or sufficient honey, treacle, or glycerine may be added to form an electuary, and 

 of this a tea- spoonful may be taken. 



We may mention incidentally that " Chelsea Pensioner " is useful in torpidity of 

 the bowels, and is well adapted for the obstinate constipation of elderly people. 



