atives. An infusion of senna and rhubarb in proof
spirits, made still stronger by aromatics, has always seemed to me to
answer the purpose best, and this should be taken of a temperature
rather above blood warm; for instance, about 100 degrees. This is
particularly necessary, when the gout attacks the stomach, and I have
several times seen a severe attack of it removed in half an hour, by
a tincture of this kind. Indeed, the most violent attacks of the
stomach may be relieved; and are only to be relieved by spirits,
ether, and opium.

It is on this organ, that the hurtful powers have produced their
greatest effect; for to it they are immediately applied. It is by no
means surprising, that the constant application of highly seasoned
foods, with fermented and spirituous liquors, should at last wear out
the vital principle of this organ. Indeed it is often so far
exhausted, that the most terrible cramps and convulsions take place,
which would soon end in its total extinction, unless it were roused
to somewhat like a proper action by the most powerful stimulants.
Still, however, their effect is but temporary.

With respect to a regular fit, after the inflammation of the
extremities has been subdued by the means I have mentioned, a
generous, but not full diet should be used. A person who has been for
a long time accustomed to wine, cannot easily be deprived of it at
once; but he should drink Madeira, and those wines, which neither
contain much carbonic acid, nor deposite much tartar. His food should
be of the plainest kind, and generally boiled, instead of roast. The
great thing is to keep the spirits and excitement rather under par,
but not to let the patient sink too low. In this way, the exhausted
excitability will gradually accumulate, and the healthy state be
reestablished. When this is once effected, the gout may be prevented
in future with the greatest certainty, if the patient will have
resolution. The whole secret consists in abstaining, in toto, from
alcohol, in every form, however disguised, or however diluted. He
must not take it, either in the form of liqueurs, cordials, wine, or
even small beer.

I believe there never was an instance of a person having the gout,
who totally abstained from every form of alcohol, however he might
live in other respects: and I doubt very much, if ever the gout
returned after a person had abstained from fermented or spirituous
liquors for two years.

Temperance in eating, and