INFLAMMATIONS. 139 



large use of them may have an opposite effect ; and they should 

 therefore be given only in compliance with former habits, or for 

 palliating present symptoms. 



When the stomach happens to be liable to indigestion, gentle 

 vomits may be frequently given ; and proper laxatives should be 

 always employed to obviate, or to remove costiveness. 



DLXXVIII. In the atonic gout, or in persons liable to it, 

 to guard against cold is especially necessary ; and the most cer- 

 tain means of doing this is, by repairing to a warm climate dur- 

 ing the winter season. " I make a separate title of the avoiding 

 of cold, because it not only comprehends avoiding every thing 

 that checks the perspiration, but having recourse to every thing 

 that may promote it, viz. flannel, warm stockings, and particu- 

 larly a warm climate. Warm bathing may dispose, by even the 

 degree of relaxation, to a proportional sinking of the perspira- 

 tion, especially if not practised in a warm climate, and with 

 precaution against the future application of cold. I cannot help 

 repeating, that this has been one of the external applications 

 (DLXIV DLXIX) which I mentioned before as being inju- 

 rious." 



DLXXIX. In the more violent cases of the atonic gout, 

 blistering the lower extremities may be useful ; but that remedy 

 should be avoided when any pain threatens the extremities. " I 

 have known blisters employed to no purpose ; but I have known 

 them hurtful by preventing the inflammation which would other- 

 wise have come on in the adjoining parts, which is the only ef- 

 ficacious means of relieving the atonic gout." In persons liable 

 to the atonic gout, issues may be established in the extremities, 

 as, in some measure, a supplement to the disease. 



DLXXX. A second case of the irregular gout, is that which 

 I have named the Retrocedent. When this affects the stom- 

 ach and intestines, relief is to be instantly attempted by the 

 free use of strong wines joined with aromatics, and given warm ; 

 or if these shall not prove powerful enough, ardent spirits must 

 be employed, and are to be given in a large dose. In mod- 

 erate attacks, ardent spirits impregnated with garlic, or with asa-. 

 fcetida may be employed ; or, even without the ardent spirits, a 

 solution of asafretida with the volatile alkali may answer the pur- 

 pose. Opiates are often an effectual remedy, and may be join- 



