SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
409 
in the urine, and hippuric acid and its salts in lierbivora. The 
lactic acid originates by conversion of the starch of the blood 
into lactic acid, which then combines with oxygen to form car¬ 
bonic acid and water, and anything that interferes with this 
change may lead to the accumulation of the acid in the system. 
Dr. Richardson found that injecting lactic acid into the perito¬ 
neal cavity of dogs caused death, not by peritonitis, but by peri 
and endocarditis. 
Some writers look upon rheumatism as an inflammation of the 
fibrous and serous membranes, the predisposition a deficiency of 
healthy tone in these textures, rendering them liable to be in¬ 
flamed by variable temperature. There exists an alteration in 
the blood, a great increase of fibrine, which is due to faulty 
secondary indigestion and assimilation, or to an abnormal meta¬ 
morphosis of tissue and the retention of products of such within 
the animal’s body. In man there is copious perspiration, with an 
acid or sour smell; in the lower animals there may be the per¬ 
spiration, but not the odor. 
Treatment .—I shall not enumerate all that has been tried and 
recommended. 
I believe it best to commence with a laxative or aloetic purge, 
followed up by the iodide of potassa and nitrate of potassa or 
colchicum in combination with nitrate of potash. If the pain is 
excessive, opium is indicated. I believe aconite of great value. 
It has sometimes seemed to exert a specific effect. Salycylic acid 
has been extolled, and was thought at one time it would become 
a specific for acute rheumatism. I have never had success with 
it myself. 
Tonics are indicated if debilitated. The diet should be light 
and easy of digestion. Local applications should not be neg¬ 
lected, warm fomentations, flannel bandages, and warm cloth¬ 
ing. Electricity deserves more than passing mention. It has 
done a great deal in the human practice. Liniments contain¬ 
ing belladonna, opium, or aconite, are very good, but I* think the 
best local treatment of all is blisters, to promote a serous dis¬ 
charge. 
