MDDM Ch. 75 The Gout

[Dave Monroe]

   "'I pray that thou suffer no further from the
Gout.'" (M&D, Ch. 75, p. 733)

Perhaps the oldest known type of arthritis, gout or
gouty arthritis has been described since Hippocrates
in the 5th century B.C. At one time, the term “gout”
was used to describe all types of arthritis. Known as
the “Disease of Kings” due to its association with
rich foods and alcohol consumption, colorful
depictions of gout can be found in art and literature
often with commentary on the moral character of the
gout sufferer.

The association of gout and uric acid has been known
since the 19th century, but it is our understanding of
the biochemistry of uric acid production by the body
in the 1960’s that has led to effective therapy for
gout. Today, gout remains one of the most treatable
forms of arthritis.
 
http://www.hopkins-arthritis.com/other/gout.html#history

“The Gout” by James Gilray, 1799. Gout depicted as an
evil demon attacking a toe.

http://www.hopkins-arthritis.com/other/images/gout_fig1.gif

“By Royal Authority” by George Cruickshank. A gout
sufferer helped onto his horse.

http://www.hopkins-arthritis.com/other/images/gout_fig2.gif

A recent article in the Daily Telegraph London
recounted that two centuries ago gout was associated
with "high living and superior social status" and
"longevity". Prominent men including Benjamin Franklin
and Thomas Jefferson were gout sufferers. Through
misconstrued logic, gout was accordingly related to
class distinction. The association of gout with
longevity arose from the fact that in 18th century
England the average life expectancy was around 30
years old. Gout, which is 10 times more prevalent over
the age of 45, appeared related to long life.

http://arthritis.about.com/library/weekly/aa101498.htm

http://arthritis.about.com/cs/gout/

http://www.rheumatology.org/patients/factsheet/gout.html

http://www.podiatrychannel.com/gout/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/goutandpseudogout.html

http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/gout/gout.htm

http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/gout.asp

http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section5/chapter55/55a.htm

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on
teevee, much less on the Pynchon-List, so ...




__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes
http://finance.yahoo.com