That this Distemper comes by Fits, appears owing to this, that upon
the Approach of a Fit much of the morbifick Matter is thrown upon the
Glands by the Blood, so that the Blood thus freed from sharp and viscid
Particles, moves easier and freer, till such Time as a sufficient
Quantity of morbifick Matter is again generated in the Blood; which
by separating again, a viscid and sharp Mucilage, the Symptoms of
the Gout, are repeated in another Fit. The feverish Chilliness and
Shivering that attends the Gout, is to be accounted for from the
irregular Motion of the Blood, occasioned by the Salt and viscid
Particles; and it is very likely that those very Salts themselves,
irritating the Nerves, and occasioning inordinate and violent Motions
of the animal Spirits, contribute to such a Fever; this Sharpness of
the Blood, while the Salts are thrown forth by Urine or Sweat, remits
till the Blood be again infected. We observe that the Gout often
prevents other Distempers; for by this Expulsion of the corrupted
Parts from the Blood, Distempers which might have arisen from them are
prevented.