Page:Of the Gout - Stukeley - 1734.djvu/9

Rh the next fitt. Still it must be confest, that the returns of fitts accelerate in a proportion cruel and uncomfortable, as years advance: and safely we may pronounce, as a great author of the faculty does on another occasion, than when we have got a fitt over, we escape ὡς διὰ πυρὸς. And the fitts, especially when they begin to return frequently, so incapacitate our limbs for action and necessary exercise, that the health and habit of the body and constitution suffer extremely, and grow every year worse and worse: they bring one joints, as well as gravel, stone and other diseases, the consequents of Inactivity, that at best we maybe said, only to labor under a continual disease, which kills us by a more unkindly blow, because protracted.

Hence I cannot excuse my self from endeavouring to serve the publick; in notifying after this manner, what I have hitherto observ'd, in a remedy lately try'd with us at Stamford, and in all appearance with great success, and without any ill consequences, which are so much dreaded in the case.

Dr. Rogers an eminent apothecary and licensed practitioner in physick at Stamford, has for above two years last past, used a warm oyly composition, which he prepares, to anoint the part affected with the