Teeth, Food Or Fatigue May Cause Rheumatism Rules To Stave It Off

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 53, 9 June 1948, Page 7

Teeth, Food Or Fatigue May Cause Rheumatism Rules To Stave It Off

Rheumatism is a serious personal ailment. The word “rheumatism” is used to signify a number of conditions, most notable of which is that agonising, crippling condition known as rheumatoid arthritis. Then there are lumbago and “rheumatic gout,” and all those other odd aches and pains and stiff joints which are labelled “rheumaticky.” It’s really only in quite recent years that doctors .have been seriously sorting out the different kinds of rheumatism. For the purpose of this article, rheumatism means pain, stiffness or swelling of one or two joints, for example in the back. These, symptoms may show themselves only on movement, or when it is wet weather, or when the body has been in one.position for a long time. The important thing to do is to go to your doctor at the very first sign of rheumatics. The root of the trouble may be a bad tooth, wrong food or excessive mental or bodily fatigue. It can be put right if you give your doctor a chance to do something before the trouble has really become established. Dampness of houses, clothes, feet and weather generally encourage rheumatics in those predisposed to it. Here are a few guiding rules to stave off any tendency you may have towards rheumatics: Eat wholemeal bread instead of white; have raw salad and fruit as often as you can—every day if possible; drink at least half a pint of milk a day. Don’t have meat more than once a day. Drink less alcohol, particularly beer. Have a good night’s rest by retiring earlier than you used to. Infuse your blood with more oxygen by taking walks and working in the open air as often as you like. Above all, don’t worry.