One in every seven people suffers from some kind of arthritis or rheumatic disease, and some of the sufferers are only in their teens or twenties. These conditions are so common, particularly among the elderly, that they are regarded as an almost inevitable part of growing old. This book not only outlines the causes and effects of rheumatic disease in a straightforward way, but also provides a guide to the safest, gentlest and most effective treatments - both orthodox and complementary - especially those which avoid drugs with unpleasant side-effects. Case histories and useful addresses are included.