Page:Of the Gout - Stukeley - 1734.djvu/14

Rh want of proper objects, it reverts upon the stomach, brain and noble parts, and compleats the fatal tragedy. Hence in time, it the ends of the bones devoid of periosteum into nodes and chalkstones, or fills up the tubular vessels there with  matter. Hence walking will bring on a fitt of the gout, without any other predisposition, for want of sufficient. The action heats the joints, and sollicits the lurking humor out of the blood, before its time. Hence it emaciates the limbs and burns up all their fat, as a sacrifice to its rage. And at best the, when in health, is but a criple, the joints being defrauded of due unction. Hence the cure of the gout, by our artificial oyls, analogous and to the natural.

Use legs and have legs is a common proverb, and no doubt it holds good of those limbs as well as of all other, which become firmer and stronger by exercise; the muscular fibres in action gathering strength, as well as the glands of the joints pouring out their juices more plentifully, the more they are irritated. Just as the glands of the mouth throw out spittle in smoaking and chewing. But podagrics find by experience, this proverb holds not good in their case, much walking is prejudicial, a sure sign that the joint-glands have