Advice to the Gouty

               ADVICE to the GOUTY:
THE gout acknowledges for its predisposing use,
either hereditary taint, luxury, or irregularity. Of
the first of those, I shall say nothing, as every one knows
palliation to be the only relief hereditary diseases can ad-
mit of : But the two last are objects worthy the regard
of invalids affected in this way.
    Luxury, more immediately and more severely, irregula-
rity (which always included intemperance, and is in fact,
occasional luxury, as luxury is habitual intemperance,
and repeated irregularity) more gradually, and though
less severely, yet not less certainly, produces gout ; and
all, in a modus operandi, not much differing from each
other. This, sufferers from podagrical paroxysms know
too well, either to doubt or deny, however averse they
may be from acknowledging it.
    From this conviction, when severity of pain urges to a
remedy affecting the general conduct, one is at hand,
founded on very illogical data ; namely a meagre diet,
grounded on the principles of this very fallacious syllogism.
    If intemperance, luxury, or irregularity, be the cause
of gout, their reverse must be the cure.
    Irregularity, &c. is the cause--therefore, low living
must be the cure. 
    But this is as wise reasoning as to say, that “I am full
of blood--bleeding is my remedy--therefore I must ruin
my constitution by an excess of phlebotomy !” But the
sober truth is this -- Intemperence, luxury and irregularity,
induce, what physicians call, indirect ability, or, in plain-
er words, produce general weakness, by means of over-
loading nature, as in the case of luxury and intemperance :
or over-stretching her, by violent and ill timed exertions,
as in the case of irregularity. Now, in this case, what
does a regular course of low living do for the patient ?
Why, over and above the force put on the constitution
by the sudden transition, it adds direct to indirect debility ;
disables the body from throwing off its load, by depriv-
ing it of the strength sufficient to effect a salutary and
critical paroxysm ; and so only disposes, by an inade-
quate effort, to cast it upon the vital parts ; and so destroy
the patient!
    But the medium lies here ; it consists in destroying the
cause indirect debility ; without inducing a worse, that
which is direct.
    I. Let luxury, intemperance, and irregularity, be cut
off-- by a regular, moderate, nutritious, easily digested diet ;
with proper portions of exercise and rest ; equally avoid-
ing fatigue and indolence : and by regulating the pas-
sions.
    II. Let acquired constitutional injury, be repaired by
the warm, bracing, stomachic medicines ; among which
nothing exceeds the following: Steep two ounces of dri-
ed Seville orange-peel, and one ounce of best rhubarb,
in a quart of brandy for four days, shaking the bottle
every day. Let a large spoonful of the tincture be taken
with three of pepper-mint water, two hours before and
after dinner.
                                                                              M.