Page:Of the Gout - Stukeley - 1734.djvu/78

prehended, of the gouty humor falling upon the noble parts. The very warmth of the oyls attracts that humor to them, as well as deadens it when attracted; they are the proper pabulum. Just as any salt is slrongly attracted by the water which dissolves it. And nature determins it to them, for the same reason as she sends it to the oyl-glands. And this all experience confirms. In the case of rheumatisms where they have been the most violent and inflammatory that is possible, we have follow'd the pain with unction thro' every joint of the body from the neck to the toe ends. The consequence is a most certain and speedy cure, without any translation of matter inwardly and upon noble parts, or any ill consequences whatever. And thus a fitt of this distemper which would otherwise have tortured the patient for 2 or 3 months or more, has been happily and gently solved in a fortnight. I forbear naming particular instances. The fact is notorious with us at Stamford: and the like in the Sciatica. I have seen instances where thro' extreme weakness of nature and furiousness of the distemper, when the morbific matter during a long fitt has reverted upon the noble parts and a hickup with the like violent symptoms of evil prognostic has prevail'd: in this deplorable circumstance,

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