Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 November 1900 — Subtleness of Rheumatism. [ARTICLE]

Subtleness of Rheumatism.

It has lieen known for many years that the most fertile cause of heart disease is rheumatism. Only recently has It been realized, however, that many (.uses of rheumatism which give rise to heart complications really run so mild a course that they are not suspected of being serious and are neglected. This is especially tme in eases which attack the very young. In children rheumatism often masquerades under tbe name of “growing pains.” In infants it often fails completely of recognition. It has become the custom to a lamentable degree to give for it the coal tar derivatives, the various antipyretic drugs, anti -pyriue, pbenacetine and the like, besides various derivatives of salicylic ateid. Those drugs alleviate the rheumatic pain by benumbing the nerves: they also lessen fever. The result of their use is that patients are enabled to move about much sooner tbau they otherwise would, and this throws extra work on the heart, and leads to post -rheumatic heart complications Which may cripple the organ for life. The recent increase in the number of refusals of risks by life insurance companies is thought to l»c due to this cause. Doctors here from many parts of the world depieeate the present excessive use of these drugs. Pain is aatnre's demand for rest. To allay It without reaching Its cause is to drug the sentinel who watches over the citadel of health because bis footsteps disturb our sleep. —New Y'ork Post.