Manual of British Rural Sports

TREATMENT OF ACCIDENTS. 457 with muscular rheumatism.It is generally Inthose muscles which are moreparticu- larlv called into play bythe nature of the exercise that rheumatism shows itself, and every time exercise is taken the rheumatic condition only goes off during use, to return with increased activity after a rest In ail these cases prevention is better than cure, and all unnecessary exposure of the bodyshould be avoided,especially if in cold or wet weather. Flannel should be worn next the skin during the day, and after stripping, as in rowing or running, the coat should be put on again without delay. As a local remedy, someone of the toliowing may be tried, andI give them in the order oftheir severity, beginningwith themost mild. First, takeof tincture of capsicum halfan ounce, spirits of camphor one ounce, tincture of arnica one drachm; mix: on using it add an equal quantity of hot brandy, and rub the part affected for a quarter of an hour. Secondly, take of liquor ammonise, spirits of turpentine, laudanum and neat's-footoil, equal parts; mix, and rub in before a good fire twice a-day. Thirdly, take of tincture of can- tharides two drachms, flour of mustard half an ounce, vinegar four ounces; mix : this also ought to be rubbed in warm, and it should be used with care, as it sometimes blisters the skin whenthinner than usual. Its effect ought to be to cause considerable pain and redness without any blister, or at all events a very slight one. These reme­ dies will often allay any muscular rheu­ matism which may occurin training, and I have even known rheumatism, when attacking the joints, subside on the useof the last-mentioned application. As I before said, more severe remedies are incompati­ blewith training. WO- V AEICOSE V EINS . — By this term is meant an enlargement of the veins,gone- rally of the leg, accompanied by a breaking down or insufficiency of the valveswhich are situatedat shortintervals along their course, so that the veins bulge out in places, and become much more tortuous than usual. The diseaseappears to depend upon some natural, or rather congenital, weakness in the structureof the coatsof the veins;at all events we know no other cause.Many families are quite exempt, whilst others, again, are almost in every case predisposed to their occurrence. A radical cure may often be effected by the surgeon, but itis not unattended with danger. Still, few of those who suffer rom them are capable of going through severe work while afflicted in this way, and therefore, in most cases, either the operation must be done, or all severe training must be abandoned. As a palliative measure, the elastic stocking may be tried, but the heat of the part is so much increased by their use that few people wear them without suffering material incon­ venience. In spite of the pain anddanger of the operation, I confess that were I subject to varicose veins, I should incur both without a moment's hesitation. In some cases a thin slip of elastic band, about a quarter of an inch wide, may be worn with effect. It shouldbe applied spirally from the top to the bottom of the leg at about two inches interval.This isnot so hot asthe stocking, and in mild cases acts equally well. 310. C HAPPED H ANDS . — In cold weather rowers are sometimes t rribly annoyed by their hands and arms becoming chapped, often to such a degree as tocause them to bleed; and pedestrians often suffer inthe same way about he hands,wrists, anus, and behind the knees. For this state th fol­ lowing ointment is an excellent remedy; it should be applied after washing night and morningTake of the ointment of nitrate of mercury, one drachm; zinc ointment, one ou ce; essence of lemon, three drops: mix.