Rheumatism

(ru’ ’-ma-tizm) [pevfia, flux]. A constitutional disease characterized by pain in the joints and muscles, tending to recur, and a ociated with exposure to cold and wet. R., Acute Articular, is characterized by fever, by swelling of various joints, beginning usually in one and rapidly spreading to others, by acid sweats, and by a marked tendency to involve the endocardium, le frequently the pericardium, pleura, and peritoneum. The iris and conjunctiva may also become affected. R., Chronic, a chronic form in which the symptoms are milder and in which the disease attacks either the muscles (muscular R.) or RHINOCEPHALUS 555 the joints. R., Gonorrheal, joint inflammation occurring in a ociation with gonorrheal urethritis. It generally involves but one joint; if several are affected, it is usually the smaller joints. The course is chronic. 557