Page:Of the Gout - Stukeley - 1734.djvu/69

Rh, as the cortex peruvianus is for agues and fevers; or any other the most specific remedy in all Medicin. This I may with confidence affirm, from innumerable experiments. But a person of true judgment, in the animal œconomy, in philosophy and the operation of medicines, cannot but see, that if the gout be a poyson, this active and penetrative oyl is incomparably well adapted for its antidote: and so we find by experience. As soon as ever 'tis introduc'd upon the matter of the distemper, it kills and extinguishes it. It so invelops and blunts those pungent, fiery salts, that for ever after they are perfectly harmless. It immediately curbs that outrageous swelling, and pain; and restores very expeditiously the limb to its pristine shape and office. That contagious quality that would draw in a great quantity of humors to partake of its own nature and diffuse itself thro' the whole constitution (as one grain of gunpowder inflam'd fires all the circumjacent heap,) soon disappears, as if it had never been. And surprizes the patient that has been us'd to these fiery, tryals; like a prisoner who beyond his hope escapes a capital sentence; this I can speak very truly, because very feelingly. I shall give the reader my observation upon a week's tryal.

When nature is in a disposition to separate this humor from the blood, which we call