silk will be found extremely serviceable. Oil of
wintergreen is another remedy which has proven of value when applied
to the joints on cloths saturated in the oil and covered with cotton
wool.

The bed must be smooth and soft, with good springs. High fever is
reduced by the employment of cold to the head and by sponging the body
with cool water at intervals of two hours or so.

The two drugs of most value are some form of salicylic acid and an
alkali. Sodium salicylate in solution in water should be given to the
adult in doses of ten to fifteen grains every two hours till the pain
is relieved, and then once in four hours as long as the fever lasts.
At the same time baking soda should be administered every three
hours, one-half a level teaspoonful dissolved in water, and this may
be continued as long as the fever persists. The patient must use a
bedpan in relieving the bladder and bowels, and should remain in bed
for a great while if the heart is damaged. It is a disease which no
layman should think of treating if it is possible to obtain the
services of a medical man.

=MUSCULAR RHEUMATISM= (_Myalgia_).--In this disease there is pain in
the muscles, which may be constant, but is more pronounced on
movement. Exposure to cold and wet, combined with muscular strain,
frequently excite an attack. On the other hand, it often occurs during
hot, dry, fine weather. Attacks last usually but a few days, but may
be prolonged for weeks. The pain may be dull, as if the muscle had
been bruised, but is often very sharp and cramplike. There is,
commonly, slight, if any, fever, and no general disturbance of the
health. The following are the most common varieties:

=LUMBAGO.=--This attacks the muscles in the small part of the back. It
comes on often with great suddenness, as on stooping or lifting. It
may be so severe that the body cannot be moved, and the patient may
fall in the street or be unable to rise or turn in bed. In less severe
cases the pain "catches" the patient when attempting to straighten up
after stooping. Pain in the back is often attributed by the laity to
Bright's disease, but is rarely seen in the latter disorder, and is
much more often due to rheumatism.

=STIFF NECK.=--This is a very common variety of muscular rheumatism,
and is seen more especially in young persons. It may appear very
suddenly, as on awakening. It attacks the muscles of one side and back
of the neck. The head is held stiffly to one side