violent Degree; in which
State she had continued for some Weeks before she came to the
Hospital; but by being blooded, and taking the cooling saline
Medicines, with gentle Purges, and mild Diaphoretics, she got
well in a Month's Time.

When the Rheumatism was confined to a particular Part, attended with
Fever, we treated it as the acute Rheumatism. Fomenting the Part with
warm emollient Decoctions, and rubbing it afterwards with the
volatile, or saponaceous Liniments, often gave Ease; and the
Application of Cupping-Glasses and Blisters frequently removed the
Disorder. In some Cases, where the first Blister did not relieve, the
Application of a second, and afterwards keeping up a Discharge from
the Part by Means of the Epispastic Ointment, carried off the Pain. In
others, where the mild Diaphoretics were ineffectual, Sweating, with
the G. Guaiac, or _Dover_'s Powder, and such other Medicines, after
the Fever was gone, removed the Complaints[65].

[65] Warm Water, pumped upon the Part, often removes such
rheumatic Pains as have resisted the Force of internal and
other Remedies. On the 29th of _August_, 1759, _Mary Ward_
was admitted into _St. George_'s Hospital for rheumatic Pains
of the Arms, Legs, and Knees, attended with Fever, which all
yielded to Evacuations, and the Use of cooling Medicines,
mild Diaphoretics, and of the warm Bath, except the Pain of
the Knee; which, after it had resisted the Course
above-mentioned, was at last removed by pumping warm Water on
the Part, three Times a Week; joined to the Use of
Fomentations and volatile Liniments.

When the Rheumatism was attended with Inflammation and Swelling of the
Joints, we blooded freely, gave cooling Purges, and the saline
Draughts with Nitre, along with Plenty of weak diluting Liquors, and
prescribed a cool low Diet.

After the Violence of the Fever and Inflammation was abated, fomenting
the Parts, and rubbing them with the saponaceous or volatile
Liniments, sometimes hastened the Discussion of the Swelling; as did
likewise the Application of Blisters[66], after the Inflammation was
entirely gone; but it ought to be noticed, that if volatile Liniments
or Blisters are used too soon, they will sometimes occasion violent
Inflammation and Pain[67].

[66] _Ann Ragen_, a Woman about thirty-three Years of Age,
was admitted into _St. George_'s Hospital the 17th of
_January_, 1759, for rh