496 Observations on the medical effects 



8th Sept. — Saw this patient. He thinks the application of 

 the tourniquet has been of much use in diminishing the 

 perspiration in the part. A continued application would most 

 probably have permanently cured the disease ; but the young 

 man has not patience enough to persevere. 



Section III. 



Specific diseases accompanied with congestions. 



In treating of diseases produced by peculiar or specific 

 congestions, some remarks will be offered on rheumatism and 

 gout, cholera and exhaustion. 



Congestions of blood in Rheumatism and Gout. 



These diseases are of frequent occurrence, modified some- 

 what by the climate and other causes. Rheumatism in tropical 

 climates is a difficult disease to treat ; the symptoms being 

 more violent, and the treatment more difficult than in tem- 

 perate climates ; whereas gout is only found among the 

 luxurious in large cities, and is generally a more simple and 

 less fatal disease than in Europe. 



The most severe form of rheumatism is that which attacks 

 particularly the periostium of long bones, and it is parti- 

 cularly severe at night. In many cases I could trace no con- 

 nection with it and venereal disease : indeed, in some cases, 

 there was no reason to suppose such a combination. 



The effect that obstruction of the circulation produces, is to 

 remove the severe pain in the limb beyond the ligature. The 

 pain recurs on the removal of the obstruction ; but in a 

 modified degree, and by a repetition of the ligature, it gra- 

 dually decreases, and at length entirely disappears. 



