RHEUMATISM
Rheumatism is in popular usage
general and medically obsolete term applied to various conditions characterized
by stiffness, pain or soreness of the joints or muscles. Among diseases
commonly but loosely called rheumatism are gout, rheumatic fever,
osteoarthritis, myositis, bursitis and rheumatoid
arthritis.
Rheumatic Fever is once common acute inflammatory disease characterized by fever and
pain, tenderness, redness and swelling of the joints. Rheumatic fever can cause
inflammation of the heart and damage to the heart valves (endocarditis).
First attacks usually occur from the age of 7 to 12 or 14; recurrent attacks
can occur throughout adult life. The mortality from the acute attack is low and
most cases subside spontaneously. Often however 
inflammation of the heart leads to
scarring and deformity, causing the valves to malfunction. This strain on the
heart muscle causes rheumatic heart disease, which can cause death in middle or
later life.
Acute rheumatic fever is a
complication of streptococcal infection, such as strep
throat, scarlet fever or erysipelas. It sometimes develops after infections so
mild as to pass unnoticed. Rheumatic fever begins either insidiously or
abruptly after a latent period of two to six weeks following the streptococcal
infection. Aside from fever, malaise and migratory arthritis, patients may
develop nodules under the skin, skin rashes, abdominal pain, pleurisy and
chorea. The most serious aspect of the disease however is the involvement of
the heart.
Treatment involves the use of
penicillin to eradicate streptococci that may still be present, bed rest and
administration of salicylates or corticosteroids. It
may take many weeks or months before the attack runs its course. Rheumatic
fever has become relatively rare, probably due at least in part to the
widespread use of antibiotics.
Sebastian Kneipp 1821 – 1897 
He was a pastor in 
translated into several languages.
He founded a clinic in Wörrishofen where water therapy was practiced. The therapy
is called Kneipp-Kur
today. He is the inventor of hydrotherapy.
Hot and Cold Baths
Several kinds of therapeutic bath
produce results through the selected temperature of the water aided in some
instances by the stimulation produced by a jet such as a needle shower or a
whirlpool. Baths at skin temperature about 37°C are relaxing and sedative;
those hotter or colder are stimulating. Baths may be given by submersion in water
or in the form of wet packs by wrapping the body in wet sheets or towels. All
of the body may be submerged or only a particular part may be bathed as for
example in the arm bath or foot bath or the sitz bath
for the pelvic region.
The hot bath stimulates, relieves
pain (particularly of cramps and sometimes of arthritis), controls convulsions
and induces sleep. Quickening the pulse and respiration, it also increases
perspiration, thereby relieving the kidneys of part of their work and
temporarily decreasing weight. Hot packs is good for
muscular disorders. The cold bath is helpful in reducing high fever and
limiting inflammation.
Stimulating baths are generally of
short duration to avoid the patient's becoming
exhausted; sedative warm baths may be continued for hours or in the treatment
of certain nervous diseases, for days. Kinotherapeutic
baths, in which a routine of exercise is carried on while the individual is
submerged, were successful in restoring the use of muscles damaged by
poliomyelitis when that disease was still widespread. They are used today in
the treatment of some bone diseases and fractures.
Medicated Baths
When any substance intended to
effect or assist in the cure of disease is added to the bath medium the bath is
said to be medicated. Soap, bath salts, bath oil and similar detergents are so
common that they 
are not usually considered
medicines. Alcohol sponge baths are cooling and 
are useful in the prevention of
bedsores. A hot bath with mustard added was a traditional remedy for infant
convulsions and alkaline baths have been used extensively in the treatment of
rheumatic conditions. Medicated vapors both natural and artificial are used in
steam baths; the vapors are often allowed to fill a closed room in which the
patient can walk about exposing both skin and lungs to their effects. Steam
cabinets, which enclose the body from the neck down, are also used to give
vapor baths. Carbonated waters are sometimes used as are brines although their
value is uncertain.
Mineral Baths
Among the most popular medicated
baths are those in which the waters of natural warm mineral springs are used.
Thousands of people suffering from a wide variety of ailments frequent mineral
baths in search of the cures attributed to local waters and muds,
although their medical value is generally doubted by doctors. Resorts sometimes
called spas have grown up near such springs.
