INCIDENCE OF GOUTY STIGMATA IN VARIOUS TYPES OF FIBROSITIS Out of 343 instances of fibrositis of the _joints_ such stigmata of gout were present in 118 males and nine females. Of _muscular_ types, taking as our example _lumbago_, we find that out of twenty-seven examples no less than ten displayed definite evidences of a gouty taint. Similarly, out of thirty-eight cases of lumbago complicated by other manifestations of fibrositis eleven males and one female were of gouty habit. Also in twenty-three cases of lumbago associated with arthritic fibrositis six males, but no females, displayed the same proclivity. Lastly, out of thirty-eight cases of lumbago complicated by right or left sciatica ten were of the same diathesis. Passing in turn to consider this same factor in relation to _sciatica_, we note that out of 142 examples twenty-four men and three women were gouty. Occasionally, too, apart from _glycosuria_, it appears to be responsible for bilateral sciatic pains, for in three examples of this nature gout was present. James Taylor is also very definite on this point, that, glycosuria aside, affections of individual peripheral nerves occur frequently in the gouty. There is little doubt, he says, that sciatica is “frequently present in the gouty and is sometimes directly due to that state.” While admitting that in many, if not most, cases of sciatica there are associated arthritic changes in the _hip joint_, he yet affirms his belief that “there are some in which the neuritis is a primary condition.” With this statement my own experience accords, but with a reservation, viz., that the _sciatic neuritis_ is apparently _secondary_ to a lumbar or _gluteal fibrositis_, with sequential involvement of the _sciatic nerve sheath_ and extension to the nerve trunk. Taylor holds also that _anterior crural_ and _brachial neuritis_ may be directly due to _gout_. As to brachial neuritis, he says: “I have known it occur apart from any recognisable arthritic change in a patient who was the subject of gout.” Having regard to the flippant manner in which the term “neuritis” is but too frequently bandied about, it is refreshing to note that in all Dr. Taylor’s cases “the existence of the neuritis” was shown “by the tenderness of the nerve trunks, the spontaneous, often severe, pain, and atrophic changes both in the skin and the muscles—the glossy skin and atrophied muscles.” As for the involvement of other nerves, trigeminal neuralgia is held to be the most common; but, for myself, I have never felt justified in claiming any such example as gouty. Nor am I satisfied that persons of gouty habit are more prone than others to attacks of migraine. Lastly, I cannot confirm out of my own experience Duckworth’s statement that “_herpetic_ attacks in all varieties of ‘gout’ are common.” Nor have I seen _shingles_ co-exist with acute gout, neither have I come across any examples of so-called _gouty spinal meningitis_! In conclusion, I would submit that:—