Page:Of the Gout - Stukeley - 1734.djvu/81

Rh parts. The practise of physick dictates to us, that we are not to oppose nature, but assist her; and in that consists the excellency as well as safety of our remedy; It is exterminating the morbific matter in nature's own way; not opposing but assisting her. 'Tis not to be call'd tampering, there will be no after reckonings, the cure is compleat, nature leads the way her self; and therefore 'tis perfectly safe.

If insensible perspiration would have done the feat, a cure would have been found out ages ago; from the 10000 warm administrations both internal and external, which have been found intirely useless; Sydenham says himself, immediately after the. forecited passage, that a diaphoresis or sweat has been altogether unprofitable, and so I have experien'd it.

I have this to add, as a great confirmation of the certainty and safety of our cure; that whereas we find by experience, that even a gentle purge given towards the end of an ordinary fitt of the gout, is so far from being useful, as may be thought, in carrying off the dregs of the distemper; that it generally brings a new fitt not at all milder than the full. Whereas after the use of the oyls, a gentle purge is very profitable and accelerates your recovery, Rh