There were several old cures for rheumatism. Two of these involved celery. In one remedy, the celery was cut into pieces and boiled in water until it was soft. It was then drunk with water. Another cure involved warming a mixture of boiled celery with milk, nutmeg and a little flour. This was then served with potatoes and pieces of toast.
A drink made from celery was also used as a remedy for rheumatism. Celery seed was boiled in water, reduced, strained, bottled and sealed. This liquid was then taken twice a day for two weeks.
Another cure for rheumatism was based on hot rum. The rum had nutmeg and pepper added to it. This was then drunk by those who were suffering from rheumatic pains.
Wool was used in an external remedy for rheumatism. The wool was heated by holding it against a can containing very hot water as heating it in front of a fire was considered dangerous. This was then applied to the affected joints.
Sometimes a layer of dry, hot wool was wrapped round a painful joint and then the wool was covered with oiled silk. This induced perspiration, and the wool became saturated and had to be changed frequently. This was meant to bring great relief both in rheumatism and gout.
Linseed oil was also used as the basis of a remedy for rheumatism. A lotion was made from linseed oil and oil of turpentine and some spirits of camphor was added. The mixture was then shaken well and the lotion applied to the painful joints.
Garlic, crushed and added to an oil, was applied to painful joints. Raw potato juice and the hot water that potatoes had been boiled in were both also used as external applications. A poultice made from turnip was also used.
Parsley tea, taken internally an hour before meals, was thought to have the power to stimulate kidney activity and to bring relief to sufferers from rheumatism. Cinnamon taken internally was also thought to relieve the pain of rheumatism, as was watercress or mustard taken internally.
An infusion of burdock was taken to relieve rheumatism. An alternative remedy was an infusion of dock. Meadow-sweet was considered to have an anti-inflammatory action that brought relief to joints made painful by rheumatism.
Diuretics are considered effective in the treatment of rheumatism. In folk medicine, lemon juice and an infusion of dandelion leaves, both being thought to be efficient diuretics, were used as remedies for rheumatism. An infusion of thyme, also thought to be a diuretic, was used too.
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