Gout and goutiness : and their treatment / by William Ewart.

  • William Ewart
Date:
1896
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Gout and goutiness : and their treatment / by William Ewart. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    592/612 (page 576)
    Neither physiology nor common experience warrant us in regarding mental activity and vigorous cerebral work in any other light than that of a tonic and vitalizing influence. Amongst the most active and assiduous brain- workers we find numerous cases of longevity, and com- monly the most healthy lives. These are almost in- variably instances of men who have known how to vary their labours. We may repeat that the best rest for brain fatigue is muscular exertion. Within the limits of individual strength both functions are conducive to health and longevity, and both are beneficial from the point of view of gout: but they must be wisely combined. If the essential requirement of muscular activity is not neglected, we agree with the late Professor Cantani's opinion, that mental work, free from worry, is good hygiene, even for those who may be gouty or predisposed to gout. REST AND SLEEP IN THE DAY. The last of our duties is one of primary importance. It is, together with food, the foundation of the hygienic treatment of gout by exercise. Rest in the horizontal position is, in all states of debility, and especially at the gouty age, the indispensable adjunct of active muscular exertion. The latter can only do good on the condition that the cardiac energy is economized. The heart will gain power in proportion to the additional rest to which it is entitled by hard work. The allowance of rest must be at first liberal, and the amount of exertion very gradually increased. When the heart and the muscles have been trained to efficiency by careful manage- ment, a few minutes' reclining at full length will often suffice to restore the feeling of freshness which indicates a return of full systolic adequacy.