488] R H E sion becomes indispensable ; in prder to determine upon the pro- priety or necessity of blood-letting, and whether this operation is to be repeated : beside which, it requires total abstinence from animal food ; fermented and spirituous iiquors ; the use of a mild vegetable, or jnilkdiet; together with copious draughts of bb.nd, diluting beve- rage. To avoid the debilitating ctiects of too frequent venesetlion, in cases of excruciating pain, espe- ciall}' M hen attended with swelling and redness, recourse may be had .to leeches applied to the part, or to xupping. The principal relief is next to be expected from gentle sudorific s, when the perspiration should be promoted by lukewarm /Irink. If the disorder be transfer- 'red from the external to internal .parts, blisters must be applied to the spot, which was previously af- feded : all other local ;!pplications, except warmth, are in such cases .improper. After the complaint is removed, the patient should avoid all sudden changes of temperature, ?.nd at the same time apply fii6tion .to the parts formerly diseased. — During the whole atfliclion, it will be proper to preserve regularitj' of the bowels, by taking rhubarb, manna, flowers of sulpliur, and si- ^inilar laxatives, in small doses.
- .; The chronic rheumatism is fre-
.quently consequent on the acute, ^^htnthelatter has been mismanag- ed : hence it will be advisable to re- sort to such external and internal re- medies, as may restore vigour to the parts, an<; promote Wt. necessary evacuritions, especially a proper state of perspiration. Gentle sudo- rifics, such as infusions of elder- powers, v.hite-wine whey, and ipe- cacuanha in small doses, have often procured relief; but the more active RH O medicines, for instance, the 02'/ of tmpentine, guaiacum, and antimo" fiials, must be cautiously preserved. With the same int niion, we shall observe, that the extract of the Large Blue Wolf's-bane (^^coniium Ka- pellus, L.) has been found uncom- monly efficacious in restoring per- spiration, and dispersing the swell- ing ; but, like other narcotics recommended for this purpose, it requires great circumspeftion. As costiveness frequently retards the cure, it ought to be relieved by the miide.-)t laxatives. The diet should, in general, be nourishing ; and generous wine, moderately taken, will greatly conduce to re- covery. TIjc external m.eans are, warmth by flannel worn next the painful part ; frictions, vapour- baths, electricity, exercise, and the volatile hniment ; but the other oils and umftuous preparations must be avoided ; as they are apt to check perspiration, and thus to protract the disorder. — Lastly, blisters, and cataplasms of mustard, hor.e-radish, leaven applied to the suilering parts, or (o their vicinity, have often pi-ov- ed beneliciaj. The Luvilago, Sciatica, Sec. be- ing a species of the same disease, require a simjilar treatment] though the rheumatism of the hip may, in general, be successfully removed by a blister six inches long, and four broad, applied to the outside of the leg, immediately under the knee, and kept in a state of suppuralioUj till the pain ceases. KHQPIL'JNI, an odoriferous es- sential oil, obtained from the wood of a species of the Jspalalhvs, or African Broom ; and which has leceived its name from tl;e Island of Rhodes, whence it is said to be imported. Oil of Ilhodium was formerly ia great
