that they may be extinguish'd by a plentiful affusion of oyl, out of the glands there, which are to lubricate the joints. And we find this is most effectually done in a week or a fortnight's time, in young people, whilst these glands are vigorous. Here nature acts wisely, and loudly calls out to the patient, to take care for the future to avoid her method of life which produces this distemper.
I am thro'ly persuaded, the humor of the gout is much more impetuous and fiery in young people, than in those advanc'd in years, cœteris paribus. And that 'tis a vulgar error to say, the distemper grows worse and worse upon us, in its own nature: unless we grow worse and worse in our way of living, which is not commonly the case. People should become wiser and more temperate with advancing years; if they have been guilty of extravagance in youth. And podagrics generally are more careful in their regimen than other people. But the distemper grows worse upon us, only because the oyl-glands are spoil'd and can't as usual restrain its fury: besides the inconveniences accruing to a constitution weakned from so many tedious months of inactivity, which necessarily follow frequent returns of fitts. Further, the joint-glands themselves grow rigid, and secern less of their proper humour.
