ALCOHOLIC RHEUMATISM FROM DAILY IMBIBITION OF FERMENTED ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS; AND ITS REMEDY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XIV, Issue 599, 30 July 1868, Page 3

ALCOHOLIC RHEUMATISM FROM DAILY IMBIBITION OF FERMENTED ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS; AND ITS REMEDY.

Br John Hioi.imiottom, Esq., E.R.S., Mottiugham. (Britisli Medical Journal, 1 It'll January.) Faoir long attention to the uses of alcohol in every Erin as a beverage and as a medicine, I have been led to make observations, and have come to the knowledge of facts which, I trust, will be of practical use, and may perhaps be new to the profession. About thirty years since, 1 first noticed that a form of (so-called) rheumatism was cured by abstaining some time from the use of fermented alcoholic iiuidg. 1 said at that time that the complaint should not be called rheumatism, but alcoholism, as 'alcohol produced the disease, ana abstinence from alcohol was the remedy. Rheumatic gout and the ‘‘poor man’s gout” may perhaps, for the most part, bo that form of rheumatism; and gout, in some cases, may be superadded. I find Air N-, a clergyman, has also noticed the fact iu a work (*‘ His Clerical Experience,” by the Rev. Thomas Rooke, AI.A.) lately published. He says, referring to the effects of |alcohol, “I may instance three men in our society—men advanced in life, who while drunkards were, as they express it, ‘ eat up with rheumatism,’ now, that they are tried abstainers, are entirely free from it, and look fresher and younger by several years.” JLliis iortu oi rncumatisiu is produced, by fermented alcoholic beverages, and has not been distinguished from rheumatism or

j gout. It appears usually about the middle I stage of life, after the person has for some years daily imbibed fermented alcoholio liquors, such as beer, ale, porter, cider, &0., even in moderate quantities. The disease advances insidiously, and the accumulating'' effect of the beverages produces changes in the person, both physical and mental. There is an expression of stuP'dity or dulness in the countenance, a weakness of the intellect -al ~ower* a stiffness and sluggishness of tbs twt® • tlm limbs lose their suppleness; causing a slight clumsiness of gait, followed by hobbling and ultimate lameness, which increases with age, and becomes permanent, if the drink be continued. This state probably arises from a change of structure in the synovial membrane, sheaves of the tendons, and the joints, when the complaint has the appearance of chronic rheumatism. This complaint does not appear to effect the general health. Ordinary rheumatism arises from afar different source, and is caused by exposure to cold and wet, cold air, and by the variableness of temperature, insufficient clothing and food; attacks mostly the youm* and strong ; is uncertain in the times of its attack, and characterised by quickly changing its seat from one part to another ; affects most of the limbs, the joints and the course of the muscles being successively affected; and is attended by fever ot an inflammatory type. Chronic rheumatism is a frequent result of the acute. ihe cause ot alcoholic rheumatism in this locality, I believe, is chiefly the effects of malt liquors , but a writer observes that cider-drinkers have a full share of tho complaint. He says: “There must ba something deleterious in cider, as it is tha precursor of rheumatism in the labouring U , laU ’ itnes ! tsle nu mber suffering from the effects of it, hobbling about at forty years of age; the cider countries are full ot tnem. ’ I have no doubt that the complaint is alcoholic rheumatism, produced } tho fermented alcoholic beverage from the apple as from malt, just as like results attend the daily use of malt liquor beverages.

An observer may have ocular demona.ration of the different stages of alcoholic rheumatism in men from forty years of age and upwards, particularly where there is a large assemblage of people walking about in the streets, on a market-day, or in a fair ; the stupid vacant countenance, lue stillness of the body, the clumsiness in i he gait, hobbling along, and the lameness. There is a general opinion that rheumatism in labouring men is caused by their agricultural employment, which, I believe, is a fallacy. There is no doubt that “to iill the groundwas the first occupation ol man, and was ordained by our Maker. “ in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread”—the most natural and healthy employment. J flie first physician hy debauch was made. Excess and sluth sustains her tr-ido ; by labour onrions-lived lathers earned iheir food • toil strung tiie nerves, and purified the blood ; -but we their sous, a pampered race of men, Are dwindled down to three score years and tea. ueiter to toil ihc field, fur health uubuught, yl.an tee the doctor for a nauseous draught, i he wise for cure on exorcise depend, Uon never made his work for man to mend. Alcoholic rheumatism may be modified or prevented in a great measure, in those persons who do take fermented alcoholic drinks, by living on proper nutritive food, and taking much exercise in the open air, which quickly throws-oif the alcoholic poison from the system, and prevents the evil. On the contrary, if the persons lead a sedentary indolent life, and indulge in taking abundance of food add fermented alcoholic drinks, they will probably inflict a double evil upon themselves—obesity and alcoholic rheumatism and gout. If they are of a gouty diathesis, this will tend to increase their lameness and diminish their locomotive powers, as we see in landlords of inns, gentlemen’s coachmen and butlers, and others of the same class. A farmer, who rides on his nag to overlook his labourers, and spends the afternoon and evening in his corner chair with his pipe and his ale, is a subject for corpulency and alcoholic rheumatism or gout, which may be, indeed, the precursor of paralysis, appoplexy, disease of the hver or kidneys, and also of calculi of the kidneys or bladder. The labouring men, with daily out-door exercise, although they may take their regular allowance of ale, and probably spend evenings at the alehouse, will probably have their share of alcoholic rheumatism, although free from obesity. Their drinking uabits, hereafter continued, will bring on other diseases, and premature old age and death. Such meu are frequently old at sixty years of age. A remedy for alcoholic rheumatism is absolutely called for, as so largo a class of meu are sulieriug from it. I believe most cases may be treated successfully by abandoning the use of termented alcoholic beverages altogether. I have a firm conviction that abstaining will cure most cases ; and, even where structural changes have taken place, the pain may be relieved, if not removed. -tvi-CAPi-LL-Laxium.—l. Alcoholic rheumatism is the result of a distinct cause. 2. It is produced by drinking fermented alcoholic beverages. 3. It is slow in effecting a marked visible change in the system. 4. It does not usually appear before middle life. 5. Its effects are produced by the accumulation of the fermented alcoholic fluids taken into the system. 6. It causes stupidity, stiffness in the body, hobbling gait, and ultimate lameness. 7. It causes changes of structure, producing chronic alcoholism. S. The remedy is abstinence from tho use of all fermented alcoholic drinks, and taking vigorous exercise in the open air.