need not absolutely forbid with Dr. Sydenham, the use of those liquors, which to such people as have been accustomed to them, sounds as harsh as bidding them not live. But the prejudice wine brings in particular to gouty constitutions, is well illustrated by Dr. Haver's experiments upon the mucilage of the joints (Osteolog. p. 219) for they coagulate it strongly like to a jelly.
Arthritics are slow of making water, and can sit long in company a drinking without that evacuation: which shows an unaptitude in the salts of the blood to separate; and indicates diuretics to be used
A proper administration of physick now and then will be extremely serviceable by way of prevention. Wherein 'tis most advisable to consult the professors of that art, who can accommodate it to particular constitutions and circumstances. I take an emetic to be very profitable; once of twice a year, never to be omitted. For the biliose salts help forward the distemper. Hence Hippocrates de passion. intern. attributes the gout to the bile and dryness of the joints, i.e. the want of oyl: the injury of the oyl-glands in our modern way of speaking. Sylvius § 155. says, he has cur'd a fitt by one vomit only. I have experienc'd the like in my practise in Lon
