434 THE NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HERB DOCTOR. 
become chronic, operations are often resorted to but seldom 
effect any good. It is only through the blood and good local 
remedies that we can hope for a cure. 
GOUT (PopDAGRA). 
It is commonly supposed that the rich, or those who live- 
on the fat of the land, are the only subjects of this malady. 
While this is the rule, there are exceptions which we have met. 
with, although they are few. ‘The cause is usually high 
living, wine-drinking, and want of exercise, which produce’ 
the exciting cause, namely, a retention of waste products in 
the blood, which deposit about the joints, excite the nerves, 
and cause the excruciating pain, so common a symptom. 
This, with swelling, stiffness, and loss of power in the joints, are 
the symptoms ofthe disease. Treatment: We think the advice 
of the celebrated Dr. Abernethy to the rich old gourmand who 
consulted him for this disease would cure the most of 
sufferers with gout, viz.: earn a shilling a day and live on it. 
Our first advice, though not in the same words, is much the 
same. Abandon luxuries, take exercise in the open air, attend 
to the laws of health, take a course of medicine once or 
twice a week, and the following medicine :— 
Queen of the Meadow Root .......... One ounce. 
Burdack 20Gb, vs. as sana tien heovka an One ounce. 
Bittersweet Root.....eeeeceeseeeevesese One ounce. 
Bruise, and simmer in two quarts of water half an hour, then 
stir in— 
Senna Cos 8 “Sot 248 a8 O28 ak -.@ 6 8.6 35.4.5. Beat i 2.8 6 Be.8 s One ounce. 
(SH VERS” ols le low wig aie a octets oot a ed ts ee) Le OnCe: 
Wald Pansy. 15 white a ee, One ounce. 
Take off the fire, let cool, strain, and take a wineglassful 
four times a day; apply the anodyne or liniment cum opit 
(page 213.) At bedtime make a strong decoction of mugwort 
and poppyheads, bathe the parts while it is hot, then mix up an 
elm poultice, put and keep on all night. There are many 
reputed cures. Cold water immersion repeatedly through the 
