s labouring under Rheumatic Fevers, or other rheumatic
Complaints; though we never had at any one Time a great Number; owing
probably to the Weather being very favourable in both the Campaigns of
1761 and 1762.--It was always most frequent when the Weather was wet
and cold; both during the Campaign, and when we were in Winter
Quarters.

It commonly began either, 1. With an acute Fever, and Pains all over
their Body: or, 2. With Pains in particular Parts, as the Shoulders,
Legs, Arms, Knees, and sometimes of the Side, attended with some
Degree of a Fever.--The first was the most common Form it assumed,
when Men were attacked with it in the Field or in Garrison; owing to
their doing Duty in cold wet Weather.--The other Causes generally took
place when they had been formerly subject to rheumatic Complaints, and
had caught Cold; or after they had been weakened and reduced low by
Fevers, Fluxes, or other Disorders.

We had but very few Rheumatisms accompanied with Swelling, Pain, and
Inflammation of the Joints of the Knees and Wrists, &c. which are so
common in our Hospitals about _London_. I did not meet with above a
Dozen Cases, of this Kind, whilst in _Germany_ with the Army.

When the Rheumatism began with Pains all over the Body, attended with
a High Fever, we treated it at first entirely as an Inflammatory
Fever[60]. We blooded freely, and repeated this Evacuation often[61],
if the Blood continued sizy, and the Pains violent; provided the Pulse
was strong. When the Pleura, the Lungs, or any other of the Viscera
were affected, we blooded as freely as we should have done in acute
Inflammations of these Parts: We gave the saline Draughts with
Nitre[62]; and Plenty of Barley Water and other weak diluting Liquors;
and gentle Physic once or twice a Week; and afterwards applied
Blisters, which often relieved both the Pains and Fever.

[60] _Sydenham_, in treating of this Disease, orders
Bleeding, and that to be repeated next Day; and afterwards
every other Day, two, three, or four Times, or more, as the
Patients Strength can bear it; and on the intermediate Days
to give a purgative Clyster. But in young People, and those
who have lived regularly, he says, that a very low Diet will
cure as effectually as Bleeding and Medicines; That the
Patients must live four Days on Whey alone, but after this
may eat Bread for Dinner; and on the last Days for Supper
also; and when the Symptoms beg