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



Vised me to, and from which I reaped great benefit; nevertheless 

 On the 29th of December I had a slight attack in comparison of 

 some that I had before experienced, and from that time I was 

 free from gout, and enjoyed my health perfectly Well till the 

 fourth week in October 1791; from that till the third Week in 

 October 1792; from that till the third week in October 1793; 

 and from that till June 1794. From what happened for the last 

 three years I dreaded the month of October; but I escaped then, 

 and have enjoyed my health most perfectly ever since till within 

 the last week, that I have had a slight attack in one knee, which 

 is nearly gone, without any symptom to lead me to suppose that it 

 will go further. 



" I adhered to your advice most scrupulously for the first year; 

 and in regard to the not drinking malt liquor, and taking only 

 the two glasses of wine with water, I have never deviated but 

 two days; and then the first day I only drank one glass of ale 

 and one glass of champaigne; on the second only one glass of 

 champaigne. With regard to the warm bath, I only use it now 

 when I have gouty symptoms upon me, and in such situations I 

 find it of infinite service; and in other respects I continue to live 

 according to your direction. 



u Many persons have laughed at the idea of my persevefarice 

 in a system, which has not been able 'to cure the gout after five 

 years trial; but such persons are either ignorant of what I be- 

 fore suffered, or totally unacquainted with the nature of the dis- 

 order. Under the blessing of Providence, by an adherence to 

 your advice, I am reaping all the benefit you flattered me I 

 might expect from it, viz. my attacks less frequent, my suffer- 

 ings less acute, and an improvement in the general state of my 

 health. 



" I have been particular in this account of myself at your re* 

 quest, and am, Sir, &c. 



" Morley near Derby , " ROBERT WiLMof.^ 



Feb. 10th, 1795." 



There are situations nevertheless, in which a paroxysm of gout 

 has been believed to be desirable, as relieving the patient from 

 other disagreeable diseases, or debilities or sensations. Thus 

 when the liver is torpid, a perpetual uneasiness and depression 

 of spirits occur; which a fit of gout is supposed to cure by a 

 metastasis of the disease. Others have acquired epileptic fits, 

 probably from the disagreeable sensation of a chronically inflam- 

 ed liver; which they suppose the pain and inflammation of gout 

 would relieve. When gouty patients become much debilitated 

 by the progress of the disease, they are liable to dropsy 



VOL. n, 3 to 



