eumatic Pains of her Legs and Arms,
and a Swelling of her right Knee. Free Evacuations, and the
Use of cooling Medicines, and mild Diaphoretics, removed all
her other Complaints, except the Swelling of the Knee, by the
Middle of _February_, when I ordered a Blister to be applied
to it; after which the Swelling gradually decreased, and she
was discharged, cured, the 20th of _March_.--_Rachael Hyde_,
a Woman twenty-four Years of Age, was admitted into _St.
George_'s Hospital the 9th of _May_, 1759, for similar
Complaints, which were removed by the same Means, all except
the Swelling of the Knee. A Blister was applied, and most of
the Swelling went away, but returned soon after: It was at
last removed by the Use of the warm Pump three Times a Week,
and drinking a Pint of the Guaiac Decoction daily.

[67] I have sometimes ordered Leetches to be applied to such
Swellings (as recommended by Dr. _Pringle_), and found them
to be of Service; and, at other Times, I have applied
emollient Fomentations and Poultices, which have given great
Ease to the Patient.--I have seen Setons or Issues, made near
the Part affected, afford considerable Relief.

Rheumatic Cases of this Kind are often very obstinate, and require a
considerable Length of Time before they are got the better of; and
frequently more or less of the Swelling, especially of the Wrists and
Joints of the Fingers, remains ever after; and Patients, who have once
had the Rheumatism in this violent Degree, are always subject to
Relapses; as are even those who have had the Rheumatism but slightly.

Mercury[68] has been recommended in the Cure of Rheumatisms; but I
never found it do any Service by itself, except in Cases complicated
with venereal Symptoms; though I have often given it, and even
sometimes gone so far as to raise a Salivation, where the Pains were
most severe in the Night; and the Patient, at the same Time, thought
he had some Reason to suspect a venereal Taint, though no external
Symptom appeared. However, many good Practitioners have recommended
small Doses of Calomel to be given at Nights, and next Morning a
Purge; in which Way, I think, I have observed good Effects from its
Use.

[68] Dr. _Musgrave_, in his Treatise _de Arthritide
Symptomat._ p. 30, cap. ii. sect. 10, says, he has known a
Salivation, raised by Mercury, cure the Rheumatism.

The Bark was frequently of