•276

GOUT.

be no danger in following such a course. It is well known, thatthe whole habit may be so altered by a proper regimen, as quiteto eradicate this disease ; and those only who have sufficient reso-lution to persist in such a course have reason to expect a cure.

The course which we would recommend for preventing the gout,is as follows :— In the first place, universal temperance. In thenext place, sufficient exercise.* By this we do not mean saunter-ing about in an indolent manner, but labour, sweat, and toil.These only can render the humours wholesome, and keep them so.Going early to bed, and rising betimes, are also of great import-ance. It is likewise proper to avoid night studies, and intensethinking. The supper should be light and taken early. The useof milk, gradually increased, till it becomes the principal partof diet, is particularly recommended. All strong liquors, especial-ly generous wines and sour punch, are to be avoided.

We would likewise recommend some doses of magnesia alba andrhubarb to be taken every spring and autumn; and afterwards acourse of stomachic bitters,t as tanzy or water-trefoil tea, an infu-sion of gentian and camomile flowers, or a decoction of burdock-root, &c. Any of these, or an infusion of any wholesome bitterthat is more agreeable to the patient, may be drank for two or threeweeks in March and October twice a-day. An issue or perpetualblister has a great tendency to prevent the gout. If these weremore generally used in the decline of life, they would not onlyoften prevent the gout, but also other chronic maladies. Such ascan afford to go to Bath, will find great benefit from bathing" anddrinking the water. It both promotes digestion, and invigoratesthe habit.

Though there is little room for medicine daring a regular fit ofthe gout, yet when it leaves the extremities, and falls on some ofthe internal parts, proper applications to recal and fix it becomeabsolutely necessary. When the gout affects the head, the pain ofthe joint ceases, and the swelling disappears, while either severehead-ach, drowsiness, trembling, giddiness, convulsions, or deliriumcome on. When it seizes the lungs, great oppression, with coughand difficulty of breathing ensue. If it attacks the stomach, ex-treme sickness, vomiting, anxiety, pain in the epigastric region,and total loss of strength will succeed.

When the gout attacks the head or lungs, every method must betaken to fix it in the feet. They must be frequently bathed inwarm water, and acrid cataplasms applied to the soles. Blisteringplasters ought likewise to be applied to the ancles or calves of thelegs. Bleeding in the feet or ancles is also necessary, and warm

* Some make a secret of curing the gout by muscular exercise. This secret, how-ever, is as old as Celsus, who strongly recommends that mode of cure; and whoeverwill submit to it in the fullest extent, may expect to reap solid and permanent advan-tages.

t Take Infusion of Calumba Root, 4 oz. or

Compound Tincture of P. Bark, Take Subcarbonate of Iron, 2 drachms.

Tincture of Cardamoms, Powder of P. Bark, 1 ounce.

of each, £ ounce. --------- ofCinnamoji, 1^ drachm.

Make a mixture ; of which two table- Syrup of Orange Peel, a sufficiency to

spoonsful are to be taken two or three form an electuary ; of which the bulk

titnss a-day. of a nutmeg may be taken twice a-day.