ctly safe and almost entirely
painless.

CASE IV. A lady, aged 24, consulted us by letter enumerating a
long list of symptoms which clearly indicated abdominal
dropsy, resulting from suppression of the menses. A
well-regulated, hygienic treatment was advised, and medicines
to restore the menstrual function by gradually toning up and
regulating the whole system, were forwarded to her by express.
After four months' treatment, perfect recovery resulted. Cases
like this latter are very common and generally yield quite
readily to proper management. No harsh or forcing treatment
for restoring the menstrual function should be employed, as it
will not only fail to accomplish the object sought, but it is
also sure to seriously and irreparably injure the system. The
most difficult cases which we have had to deal with, have been
those which had been subjected by other physicians to the
administration of strong emmenagogues in the vain effort to
bring on the menses.

RHEUMATISM.

Prominent among constitutional diseases is the one known as
_rheumatism_. It is characterized by certain local symptoms or
manifestations in fibrous tissues. This term has been applied to
neuralgic affections and to _gout_, but it differs from each in several
essential particulars. Rheumatism may be divided into (1) _Acute_, (2)
_Chronic_, (3) _Muscular_.

ACUTE ARTICULAR RHEUMATISM. Acute articular rheumatism implies an
affection of the articulations or joints. It usually commences suddenly;
sometimes pain or soreness in the joints precedes the disclosure of the
disease. The symptoms are pain in the joints, tenderness, increased
heat, swelling and redness of the skin. The pain varies in its intensity
in different oases, and is increased by the movement of the affected
parts. Swelling of the joints occurs, especially those of the knee,
ankle, wrist, elbow, and the smaller joints of the hands and feet. The
swelling and redness are generally in proportion to the acuteness of the
attack. Acute articular rheumatism is always accompanied with more or
less fever. Sweating is generally a prominent symptom, being strongly
acid and more profuse during the night. The appetite is impaired, the
tongue is coated, the bowels are constipated, or there is diarrhea.

THE DURATION OF THIS DISEASE. Unlike fevers, its course is marked by
fluctuations; frequently after a few days