Page:Of the Gout - Stukeley - 1734.djvu/43

Hence when the gout falls upon people in years, it proves very wevere, for want of a necessary quantity of that oleaginous matter to extinguish it. And instead of a week or a fortnight for its period, takes some months; and makes quick returns again. So that a fitt of the gout is most undoubtedly a crisis, and a just and useful crisis for a while. But after a few fitts, it ceases to be so. And 'tis hard to say whether we are to blame nature or the patient's own conduct, who scarce hitherto has had it in his power to assist her, for want of knowing what was the real nature of the distemper, Thus I shall explain my meaning. There are thousands of people, who live the most irregular, luxurious and debauch'd lives imaginable and yet enjoy a good state of health for many years, and escape the gout. As many people are obnoxious to it, who lead pretty regular lives, at least many degrees more so than the foremention'd, and yet are plagu'd with the gout; and apparently deserve not so severe a remedy. Ought we not then to change the common sentiments which we have got of this distemper; and call it a false crisis, when it's notorious that in the foremention'd people she finds out a better manner of relieving herself, from time to time, and with less real harm to the animal œconorny, than by that sharp and fearful medicin, and con-

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