RHEUMATISM

n. Ru2m'a2t-i2zm. Gr., pev^aTr/ot6s (from peO^ia, a flux). Lat., rheumatixmus. Fr., rhumatisme. Ger., R., Rheumatism its. A constitutional disease characterized by attacks of pain or inflammation of the fibrous structures about the joints; a general term for the forms of disease mentioned in the subheadings, which have been ascribed to a special constitutional condition or diathesis. Acute (articular) r. Rheumatic fever; an acute disease characterized by inflammation of the fibrous structures about one or more of the joints, with a tendency to give rise to valvular disease of the heart, and often a ociated with inflammation of the tonsils. The articular inflammation has a tendency to shift from one joint to another, and often involves several at once. It is supposed to be due to the formation of some toxic O, no; O2, not; O3, whole; Th, thin; Th2, the; U, like oo in [s. 401]