When the gout attacks the kidneys, and imitates gravel-pains, the patient ought to drink freely of a decoction of marsh-mallows, and to have the parts fomented with warm water. An emollient clyster ought likewise to be given, and afterwards an opiate. If the pain be very violent, twenty or thirty drops of laudanum may be taken in a cup of the decoction. Persons who have had the gout should be very attentive to any complaints that may happen to them about the time when they have reason to expect a return of the fit. The gout imitates many other disorders, and by being mistaken for them, and treated improperly, is often diverted from its regular course, to the great danger of the patient’s life. Those who never had the gout, but who, from their constitution or manner of living, have reason to expect it, ought likewise to be very circumspect with regard to its first approach. If the disease, by wrong conduct or improper medicines, be diverted from its proper course, the miserable patient has a chance to be ever after tormented with head-achs, coughs, pains of the stomach and intestines; and to fall at last a victim to its attack upon some of the more noble parts. OF THE RHEUMATISM. This disease has often a resemblance to the gout. It generally attacks the joints with exquisite pain, and is sometimes attended with inflammation and swelling. It is most common in the spring, and towards the end of autumn. It is usually distinguished into acute and chronic; or the rheumatism with and without a fever. CAUSES.——The causes of a rheumatism are frequently the same as those of an inflammatory fever, _viz._ an obstructed perspiration, the immoderate use of strong liquors, and the like. Sudden changes of the weather, and all quick transitions from heat to cold, are very apt to occasion the rheumatism. The most extraordinary case of a rheumatism that I ever saw, where almost every joint of the body was distorted, was a man who used to work one part of the day by the fire, and the other part of it in the water. Very obstinate rheumatisms have likewise been brought on by persons not accustomed to it, allowing their feet to continue long wet. The same effects are often produced by wet clothes, damp beds, sitting or lying on the damp ground, travelling in the night, &c. The rheumatism may likewise be occasioned by excessive evacuations, or the stoppage of customary discharges. It is often the effect of chronic diseases, which vitiate the humours; as the scurvy, the _lues venerea_, obstinate autumnal agues, &c. The rheumatism prevails in cold, damp, marshy countries. It is most common among the poorer sort of peasants, who are ill clothed, live in low damp houses, and eat coarse unwholesome food, which contains but little nourishment, and is not easily digested.