136 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



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practised with safety, to moderate and shorten paroxysms ; but 



how far it may be carried we have not had experience enough to 

 determine. 



" From the opportunity which I have had of seeing vomiting 

 frequently practised in the case of the gout, I know, that in the 

 beginning of the fit it is generally of service, as the atony 

 which has prevailed, and the indigestion which has preceded it, 

 are liable to continue more or less ; and some fits of the gout are 

 attended with a constant nausea and sickness at stomach, and 

 nothing gives such relief in their case as moderate vomiting."" 



DLXIV. Besides blood-letting and the antiphlogistic re- 

 gimen, it has been proposed to employ remedies for moderating 

 the inflammatory spasm of the part affected, such as warm- 

 bathing and emollient poultices. These have sometimes been 

 employed with advantage and safety ; but at other times have 

 been found to give occasion to a retrocession of the gout. 



DLXV. Blistering is a very effectual means of relieving and 

 discussing a paroxysm of the gout ; but has also frequently had 

 the effect of rendering it retrocedent. 



DLXVI. The stinging with nettles I consider as analogous 

 to blistering ; and I think it probable that it would be attended 

 with the same danger. 



DLXVI I. The burning with moxa, or other substances, I 

 consider as a remedy of the same kind. I have had, indeed, 

 no evidence of this proving hurtful ; but neither have I had 

 any proper evidence of its having proved a radical cure. 



DLXVIII. Camphire, and some aromatic oils, have the 

 power of allaying the pain, and of removing the inflammation 

 from the part affected : but these remedies commonly make the 

 inflammation only shift from one part to another, and therefore 

 with the hazard of its falling upon a part where it may be more 

 dangerous ; and they have sometimes rendered the gout retro- 

 cedent. 



DLXIX. From these reflections (DLXIV. et. seq.) it will 

 appear, that some danger must attend every external applica- 

 tion to the parts affected during a paroxysm ; and that there- 

 fore the common practice of committing . the person to patience 

 and flannel alone, is established upon the best foundation. 



DLXX. Opiates give the most certain relief from pain ; but, 



