Volume 1

A system of medicine / edited by J. Russell Reynolds.

Date:
1866-1879
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A system of medicine / edited by J. Russell Reynolds. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    908/976 (page 888)
    Iodides are of service in some cases, especially during the more acute stages, or when warmth has a marked effect in causnm an aug- mentation of the pain. Iodide of potassium may be administered alone, or in combination with guaiacum or guaiacum and bark • or the iodide of iron may be given, especially if ferruginous preparations are indicated. The syrup of iodide of iron, in doses of from twenty to thirty drops twice a day, and continued for some months, has in several cases proved of much benefit, even to the extent of completely arresting the progress of the disease. In special cases, special remedies must be employed; if, for example, menorrhagia has been in any way the cause of the debility, and still continues, bromide of potassium may be advantageously had recourse to; and should the muscular system have been wasted, especially the muscles of the affected limbs, nux vomica or strychnine can be given to restore their function. Mineral waters are often resorted to, from a mistaken view of the nature of the malady. I have seen much injury resulting from their employment, from the debility they have induced. The springs most adapted for the subjects of Bkeumatoid Arthritis are those of Schwal- bach, Pyrmont, and Spa, or any other ferruginous waters, which sit easily upon the stomach. The stronger saline and alkaline waters, as those of Carlsbad, Wiesbaden, and Vichy, unless used with great care, are apt to aggravate the disease. In some very chronic cases, the springs of Wildbad and Gastein have proved of much service. Change of air, occupation, and scenery, by aiding the general health, exert a beneficial influence upon the progress of the malady. Local Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.—In the early stages, when there is tenderness and swelling of any joint, relief is often ex- perienced from the application of blisters, and a most convenient form is the cantharides liniment of the British pharmacopoeia; it produces, in almost all cases, full vesication, and with little annoyance; it can be frequently applied, so as to produce a series of flying blisters. Under this treatment the effusion will often quickly subside, and the tenderness become much lessened or even removed, and the liability to serious or permanent injury of the joint is thereby greatly lessened. Other forms of counter-irritation, as iodine paint, croton oil, may be used, but I believe the blister treatment above mentioned is pro- ductive of more benefit. When the affection of any joint has become more chronic, and blisters have effected all they are able to accomplish, further benefit may be obtained from the use of plasters, which act not only by the slight counter-irritation they produce, but likewise, if properly applied, from the support they afford to the joint. The land of plaster selected should depend on the requirements of the case. If little more than simple support be needed, soap plaster may be used, and the joint may be bandaged with narrow strips of this, spread by machine on linen. If more irritating applications are desired, then the galbaniun