But these disorders, however they may first originate, consist in an active morbid process of one kind or another; and the surest way of counteracting this process, or of diverting it into a right direction, is by the employment of one of the Catalytic medicines contained in this order. Some stages of these diseases are attended with a want in the blood of some of its ordinary constituents; which condition may be relieved by the supply of a Restorative remedy.
Thus in this group of disorders three kinds of medicines may be employed, which tend in various ways to improve the condition of the blood.
Acids and Alkalies are sometimes needed, and act on the Restorative principle. The true Antiarthritics are those medicines which are employed on the Catalytic plan, to meet and neutralize the morbid material or process in the blood. And sometimes Eliminatives are made use of, which seem, by acting on the secretions of the skin, kidneys, or bowels, to be able to rid the blood of an unnatural product. Thus Guaiacum and Salines are employed in Rheumatism, and Purgatives in Gout.
These two joint affections are most characteristically under the influence of Catalytic remedies. Diabetes and Lithiasis are more under the control of Restoratives than the others.
The medicines composing this fourth order of Catalytics have been already enumerated.
That Colchicum tends in some way to neutralize in the blood the poison of Gout, and to a less degree that of Rheumatism also, is generally admitted, although various theories have been adopted to explain this action. (_Vide Chap. IV. Art. Colchicum._)
In Oxaluria, the employment of Nitric acid as a remedy was first recommended by Dr. Prout. Dr. Golding Bird advised the substitution of Nitro-hydrochloric acid, which has proved to be a most valuable remedy, not only in this disorder, but also in some cases of lithic deposit. The Oxalate of Lime rarely occurs alone in the urine; there is generally along with it some Urate of Ammonia. The causes of the two deposits appear to be in some way connected. So also are the remedies similar. Dr. G. Bird has found Colchicum to be of signal service in cases of lithic deposit in the urine; and has proved the same medicine to be efficacious in Oxaluria.