NODES AND PAINS IN THE BONES.
Inlong-standing cases of syphilis, where either much mercury has been taken, or the constitution weakened by low living or careless treatment, a painful affection of the bones, periosteum, tendons, and ligaments, frequently arises. Where the inflammation attacks the bone or periosteum, it usually exhibits itself in the form of a tumor, that is at first hard and acutely painful, then becomes soft, and does not always subside without ulcerating, and occasioninga tedious and unhealthy sore. These tumors are called nodes, and are extremely rapid in growth, very uncertain in their duration, and sometimes disappear as quickly as they come. When the inflammation is seated in the ligament and tendons, rheumatism is established. Both these affections are very harassing to the patient; the pains are severest at night, and wholly prevent sleep, the countenance becomes sallow, appetite, strength, and flesh fail, and hectic fever completes the list of troubles consequent upon these forms of the disease. Nodes and rheumatic pains may exist independently of, or in connexion with, other syphilitic symptoms. Cases having already been related of gonorrhœal rheumatism, which are analogous to those proceeding from venereal absorption, any further detail of such would be superfluous. The treatment should also be conducted on the same principles in the one as in the other.
The specific virtues of the vapor bath will be attested by one trial. I have seen innumerable instances of immediate relief from a single application. There are few forms of syphiloid disease more distressing than these pains in the bones; the patient is all but distracted with the agony he endures. The relief he experiences from the vapor bath surpasses belief; it verily appears to be magical. It constitutes the best opiate we have.
Temporary relief, however, is not all that we want. It is no use to remove the effect, and leave the cause behind. The aid of medicine is indispensable. Formulæ of the most appropriate remedies will be found among the prescriptions. The general directions as to diet, regimen, and clothing, dispersed throughout these pages, must be strictly attended to. The stomach must not be at any time overloaded with indigestible food. Milk diet is the best; milk thickened with farinaceous food, mild tonics to restore the tone of the stomach and impart strength, alteratives, sarsaparilla (Form58), the old Lisbon diet drink, and all the suggestionshitherto offered with a view of improving the constitution, should be carried into effect.