Gout. 231 



occurrence of the disease in birds of prey kept in captivity and having 

 insufficient exercise, favors the view that muscular activity lowers the 

 disposition, or, in other words, uric acid is destroyed in the working 

 muscles. The difference, not merely in diet, but in the possibility of 

 destruction of uric acid in the muscles, liver, kidneys and spleen are 

 probably reasons for the rare occurrence of gout in mammals and the 

 fact that it is never seen in herbivora. 



[In man the affection, characterized not only by the joint changes, but 

 also by widespread sclerotic lesions, especially of the arterial system, is 

 referred to uric acid and certain precursors of this substance, the purin 

 bodies. These are particularly the products of metabolism of nucleo- 

 albumens, and much' importance is ascribed to diet rich in these albumi- 

 nates, young meats,' pancreas, liver, etc. Other factors, as insufficient 

 exercise, etc., are also deemed important.] 



