e mustard draws it out so much more speedily and
powerfully that the deep-seated roots of the nerves are reached and
cooled down to their normal action. The pain ceases, and the poor
sufferer blesses the mustard. We are just describing what actually
occurs.

Sometimes a prejudice arises against heat. If, for example, an inflamed
knee has been strongly heated during the hot stage of the trouble, the
pains and injury will have been greatly increased. But one way or other
that hot stage of the trouble has been got over, and now without heat
it is impossible to cure. The patient, however, and probably the nurse
waiting upon him, are decided against all hot appliances. These do so
much mischief that it is believed to be out of the question to try them
again. It may be that the prejudice is so strong that you simply can do
nothing; it may not be quite so invincible as that. If you are able to
point out that it was only because the heat was applied at a wrong
time, or in far too great strength, and that now, since the
inflammatory power is spent, heat will be sure to have a good effect,
if it is only carefully applied, the prejudice may be removed. We have
seen a patient in this stage, and with both knees bad, wrapped in a
large hot blanket fomentation from the ankles to above the knees; and
he was constrained to exclaim, "That's the right thing, beyond all
doubt." Then there is no more prejudice.

Sufferers should not be disappointed if for a week or two they are not
sensibly better. In some cases the effect is apparent in four or five
days, but generally a fortnight or three weeks pass without much
encouragement. We see great despondency sometimes just before all pain
disappears. Still, as a rule, the new health is seen in the cheek and
eye very soon. Where a _violent_ inflammation is obviously proceeding
in the knee, the TURNIP POULTICE (_see_) is the best remedy. If there
be great heat in all the body, there will be little or no need for
heating any part; judgment must be used for each individual case in
these matters. While resting as much as possible, the patient will find
it best to lie on the back, with the sore knee supported a little
higher than the body. A gently applied bandaging of the whole limb is
also very beneficial, and may be used for all weak limbs, even when the
patient is walking about.

In the treatment of stiffened knees, even where accidental bending of
the joint gives very great pain, it is a grave