On Rheumatism in Its Various Forms, and on the Affections of Internal Organs, More Especially the Heart and Brain, to Which It Gives Rise

by Roderick Macleod

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1842 ... the joint becomes permanently, though not very considerably, increased, the disease assuming an entirely chronic character; and in several such cases, where I have examined the joints after death, I have found little or nothing which could be called disease, with the exception of a preternatural quantity of synovia. In others, the synovia, which, during the acuter attacks, had become increased in quantity, is again absorbed as these subside; but about such joints, particularly after repeated attacks, some degree of thickening remains. This is most remarkable in the small joints, particularly those of the fingers and toes, which are often considerably distorted by it; and when, as sometimes happens, it extends to the larger joints also, it is difficult to imagine any thing more helpless than the subject of such disease ultimately becomes. Fortunately it has almost invariably a chronic character, and is attended with comparatively little pain. This is what Dr. Haygarth described, many years ago, as nodosities of the joints, but apparently without fully understanding its nature. Another appearance which sometimes presents itself is the surface of the cartilages of the joint seems as if sprinkled over, in spots of greater or less extent, with a white powder, or smoothly painted of the same colour. When we try to scrape this off, we perceive that it is not merely superficial, but pervades the substance of the cartilage. The form of this deposit is thus considerably different from that which takes place in acute and well-marked gout, wherein it usually exists in small, irregular, detached portions, or as a kind of exudation which may even escape externally. But another difference, and one which would be very important if it were general, has been pointe...

36 pages, Paperback

First published September 27, 2015