Rheumatism

(rum'-at-izm). Fever; a disease characterized by severe, Rheumatic fitful, and shifting lancinating pains in the joints, and in the muscles, with fever, and inflammatory swelling of the affected parts. It may be acute or chronic. Acute rheumatism is a self-limited affection lasting, untreated, for about six weeks. It is characterized by elevation of temperature, acid perspiration, and pain, redne and swelling of various large joints, often with effusion. Inflammation of the serous membranes, particularly of the endocardium, is a common a ociation. There is a great tendency to relapses. The blood contains an exce of fibrin, and is said to contain an exce of lactic acid. To this latter cause, also to cold and to microorganisms, has been ascribed the origin of the affection. Subcutaneous nodules form frequently in connection with the fibrous structures, such as tendons, fasciae, etc. The disease is most frequent in young persons under twenty-five years of age and in those who show a strong hereditary tendency. Chronic rheumatism appears rather in middle and late life than in the young. Stiffne , pain and deformity are the most prominent symptoms. R., Apoplectic, rheumatism complicated with apoplexy due to cerebral congestion. R., Articular. See Rheumatism. R., Blennorrhagic. See A., Gonorrheal. R., Cerebral, rheumatism a ociated with well-marked cerebral symptoms. R., Diaphragmatic, rheumatism of the diaphragm. R., Encephalic. Synonym of R., Cerebral. R., Epidemic Muscular, muscular rheumatism occurring in an epidemic form. R., Gonorrheal, Gonorrheal Synovitis; Urethral Rheumatism: arthritis a ociated with urethritis. It is probably a metastatic infection and attacks the wrist, ankle, or knee by preference. It is most common in men, and is sometimes attended with endocardial involvement. R., Gouty. Synonym of Rheumatoid Arthritis. R. of the Gullet, a functional condition of the esophagus causing painful deglutition. R. of the Heart, an affection of the heart occurring in the course of rheumatism. Also a synonym of Angina pectoris. R., Heberden's, rheumatism of small joints, with the formation of nodosities. R., Hemorrhagic, rheumatism with a tendency to hemorrhage. R., Infectious, articular manifestations of a general infection. R., Muscular, that form affecting single muscles or groups of muscles. R., Neuralgic, muscular rheumatism which is truly a neuralgia of the sensory nerves of a muscle. R., Nodular.