The same Author explains the Reason why the Hands and Feet are most
subject to this Disorder. In the Hands, as was shewn before, there not
only are considerable Glands in all their Joints, but the Tendons which
are there inserted, especially those of the _Musculi perforantes_,
have their mucilaginous Glands, so that Nature hath a convenience in
these Parts to depurate the Mass of Blood, and they must receive the
morbifick Matter, when the Blood in its Circulation obtrudes it upon
them, and the Glands are disposed to separate it. The same Thing may be
observed of the Shoulder and of the Knees. But of all the Parts none
are so frequently afflicted with this Disease as the Feet, and it is
plain why they are so. For besides, that they have many mucilaginous
Glands in their Joints, and others about the Tendons which are inserted
into their Bones, as the great Chord or Tendon of the Muscles which
extend the Foot, and those of the _Perforantes_; I say besides this,
they are the inferior and pendulous Parts, so that as their Glands make
them capable of entertaining, so their Situation does conspire with
the Effort of Nature, to bring down the morbifick Matter into them.
Thus far Dr. _Havers_, whom I have chosen to quote, because he hath
exceeded all Authors in treating of the Nature of this Distemper. It
is not necessary to add any more upon this Head. What I have omitted
for Brevity’s Sake, the Reader may find in my _Encyclopædia Medica_,
where I have treated of the Cause of this Distemper, and evidently
shewed how from the Glands and Lymphatick Ducts about the Membranes
and nervous Parts of the Joints, a large Quantity of sharp _Serum_ and
other lixivial and acid Particles or other morbid Matter thickning and
corrupting the Lymph, is secreted and deposited upon the Joints, where
they corrode and vellicate the nervous Fibres. Upon the Addition of
Particles more than ordinary acid, the Pains become more durable and
fixed; insomuch as Salts of different Natures become jumbled together,
and from the Agitation and Conflict of the Particles, the Membranes
are vellicated and distended in a very painful Manner; neither doth
the Pain abate till the Particles get forth of the Glands, or their
Conflict being over, leave the Spirits at rest.