COMMON FORMS OF CHRONIC RHEUMATISM.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 431, 17 January 1912, Page 2

COMMON FORMS OF CHRONIC RHEUMATISM.

Dr. Arthur P. Luff says that in the great majority of the so-called cases of chronic rheumatism, the essential disease change is an inflammatory hyperplasia (an increase in or excessive growth of the normal elements) of the white fibrous tissue in various parts of the body, to which the term "fibrositis" has be:n very aptly applied. Local fibrositis may result from several causes of which the following are the commonest : Cold, damp, and wet ; extremes of heat and cold ; local injuries ; absorption of irritating toxins (germ poisons) from the alimentary tract ; tonsilitis and pharyngitis ; influenza. Among the various forms he mentions muscular rheumatism, an affection which is always a fibrositis ; lumbago, which is a typical form of fibrositis; Dupuytren's contraction, a localised fibrositis caused by postural use of the hand ; fibrositis of the plantar fascia (tissue of the sole of the foot) andi pads upon the finder joints constituting a chronic form of localised fibrositis. In the early stages of an acute fibrositis hot fomentations are useful. Sweating is especially beneficial at the onset of the attack, and heat; is of the greatest use. Massage is most useful in the later stages. Porus linen underwear, says our authority should be worn.