1. Introduction

"Rheumatism" is derived from the Greek word rheumatismos, that designated mucus (catarrh) as an evil humor that was thought to flow from the brain to the joints and other portions of the body, producing pain. Studies have shown that an alteration of an important constituent of the joint mucin (the mucopolysaccharide: hyaluronic acid) occurs in some of the "rheumatic diseases." The rheumatic diseases are those conditions where pain and stiffness of some portion of the musculoskeletal system are prominent. These include diseases of connective tissue. The connective tissue diseases exist because of unhealthful living habits. Toxic matter that was not eliminated by the body is often stored in these tissues.

Arthritis is the general term used when the joints themselves become inflamed. Sufferers of arthritis experience pain, stiffness, and swelling in their joints. Many people become crippled. In the United States, more than 31 million persons of all ages and backgrounds suffer from this disease.

Many, different forms of joint diseases are distinguished. Physicians say that some forms of arthritis are caused by known agents, others from unknown factors. All disease is abnormal. A healthy person does not suddenly become stricken with arthritis or any other disease. The factors behind all forms of rheumatic diseases are known. That is, there must be an underlying toxicosis before the symptoms of arthritis appear. Many forms of acute arthritis pass into a subacute or chronic state because of drug therapy and continued unhealthful lifestyle.

Most physicians categorize arthritis into one of five major groups:

1. Infections caused by a specific microorganism.
   
2. Cases that are possibly infectious but of unproved etiology.
   
3. Cases representing degenerative forms of joint diesease (sometimes termed arthroses).
   
4. Cases in which the arthritis results from direct trauma to the joint (chondromalacia).
   
5. Cases of metabolic arthritis (e.g., gout).

The above five groups will be discussed in this lesson and refuted. They are all based on erroneous concepts concerning the nature of disease.