Volume 1

Health lectures for the people.

Date:
1883-1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Health lectures for the people. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    637/896 (page 171)
    in such a condition, that it required very little more addition of the deleterious material to develop the pains—the blood was, probably, already so overcharged with the effete products of dis- integration of the tissues—that a very small increase proved sufficient to determine the rheumatic pains. JSTow, the most important matter for those who suffer from rheumatism is, to learn how they may best prevent the accumula- tion in the blood of those matters, which tend to develope this painful condition. To effect this end, it is of the utmost conse- quence to see to it, that the three great channels by which effete matters are carried out of the system are kept in good working order—I mean the skin, the bowels, and the kidneys. If this be not attended to, an accumulation of waste products takes place in the blood. These undergo certain chemical changes, and among other products lactic acid is probably formed in excess, which gives rise to much of the discomfort known as rheumatism. I have already indicated to you certain of the methods by which the action of the skin may be encouraged, viz., by the use of the hot bath. By its use, free perspiration may be induced. The Turkish bath and the hot air bath are other means. This latter is very easily extemporised by placing a lighted spirit lamp under a cane-seated chair; on this the patient sits, already unclothed, and he is then enveloped by blankets and other coverings from the neck. This hot air bath speedily induces a large amount of perspiration, even more than the hot vapour bath; as, in this latter case, the free transpiration from the skin is somewhat impeded, by the deposit upon it of the watery vapour. If, however, it be thought desirable for any reason to employ the vapour bath, this may be as readily and simply arranged in the bedroom, as the apparatus for the hot air bath. In this case, instead of the spirit lamp being introduced below*the cane-seated chair, a foot pail is made use of, in which is boiling water to the depth of four or five inches, and into this is placed a brick, previously heated to redness in the fire. By this means, a rapid development of hot steam is effected, the skin and blood heat are raised very greatly, more so than by the hot air bath, the