CIASS IV. 1. 2. 15. OF ASSOCIATION. 383 



attack of gout; that fit was very severe, and of many weeks con- 

 tinuance. I now determined upon a more abstemious method 

 of living, in respect to wine; and indeed the society, in which 

 I had before been accustomed to live, being considerably chang- 

 ed, I had less frequent temptations to excess. From this time I 

 enjoyed the most perfect good state of health till August 1784, 

 when I had my second attack of gout. I never perfectly reco- 

 vered from this attack through the succeeding winter; and in 

 March 1785, was advised to try the Bath waters, and drank 

 them under the direction of one of the faculty of that place. 

 I was there soon seized with a fever, and a slight attack of gout 

 in one knee. I should observe, that when I set out from home, 

 I was in a weak and low state, and unequal to much fatigue; as 

 appeared by my having a fainting fit one day on the road, after 

 having travelled only about fifty miles; in the course of the 

 summer I had two or three more slight attacks of gout of less 

 consequence, till the month of October; when I was afflicted 

 with it all over me in such a manner, as to be without the possi- 

 bility of the least degree of removal for some days; and was 

 about two months without being able to get into the air. This 

 was the severest attack I had then experienced; though I have 

 since had several equally severe. In the course of this summer 

 I had a fall with my horse; and soon after it, having discovered 

 an enlargement on one elbow, I concluded I had hurt it at that 

 time; but in the course of this last attack having a similar en- 

 largement on the other elbow, I found my mistake, and that 

 they were collections of gouty matter; these increased to the 

 size of pullet's eggs, and continue in that state. I had soon af- 

 ter similar enlargements on my heels; the right heel being se- 

 verely bruised, I was under the necessity of having it lanced, and 

 a large quantity of chalky matter was discharged from it; and 

 have since that time frequently had chalky matter taken from 

 it, and sometimus small bits of apparently perfect chalk. My 

 right hand was soon afflicted in the same way, and I have scarce- 

 ly a joint on those fingers now in a natural state. My left hand 

 has escaped tolerably well. After this last attack (viz. October 

 1185) I had two or three slight attacks before the month of June 

 1787, when I had a very severe intermittent fever; from that 

 time I continued very well till the latter end of the year, when I 

 began to feel the gout about me very much, but was not confin- 

 ed by it. I was in this state advised to try what is called the 

 American Recipe (gum guaiacum and nitre dissolved in spirits;) 

 it had apparently been of essential service to a friend of mine, 

 who, from the inability to walk a mile for some years, was be- 

 lieved to be restored by the use of this medicine to a good state 



