and Bath as a Health Resort. 173 



offend an enemy, but according to the right and skilful 

 use of it. 



(i) The association of the Bath Thermal Waters with 

 Rheumatism dates from remote times. Stiff joints and 

 aching muscles are often bequeathed by an attack of rheu 

 matic fever ; the nervous system is shaken, and the blood is 

 made poor. By a proper course of bathing, joints which 

 are weak and fixed are rendered strong and mobile ; feeble 

 muscles recover tone ; and the whole health improves. 

 And not only are the consequences of an acute attack 

 removed, but the system is fortified against a new invasion 

 of disease. Children and young adults receive special 

 benefit. All active symptoms must be subdued before any 

 thermal plans are tried by a rheumatic convalescent. 



Chronic rheumatism covers a large area of ground, and 

 the term is often used in an indiscriminate way. Poor folk 

 in our Mineral Water Hospital apply the word "rheuma- 

 tics " to all large and painful joints, especially when there 

 is conspicuous deformity and contraction of sinews. To 

 loosen and undo these bonds is the every-day beneficence 

 of our thermal Waters. 



(2) Counterfeiting ordinary rheumatism are the destruc- 

 tive and crippling processes of what is commonly called 

 " rheumatic gout." A misleading name for a disease which 

 has a mere outside resemblance to either rheumatism or 

 gout ; and the scientific title of Rheumatoid Arthritis (or 

 osteo-arthritis) conveys more accurately its grave significance 

 as a probable disorder of the nervous system. Its later 

 stage is as much beyond the art of medicine as a malignant 

 disease ; but in its early development few things yield more 

 readily to the lenient influence of a thermal spa, especially 

 when helped by other medical resources. 



