James Gillray: The Gout (1799) [1]
'The very name GOUT! has a ferocious ferine sound,
like the growl of some remorseless monster ready to fasten upon its prey.' [2]
I.
I published a post recently in which I mentioned having a swollen and painful big toe, linking my own misfortune to the work of Georges Bataille and Jacque-Andre Boiffard: click here.
And since one or two readers have been kind enough to enquire how I'm now doing, I thought I'd post this update ...
II.
Having had several X-rays taken of the toe in question, it seems that there is no fracture. And as I have no symptoms of an infection (fever, fatigue, nausea), that's been ruled out too.
What hasn't been ruled out, however - and can't be until I have a test to check the level of uric acid in my blood - and what seems, in fact, to be the likely cause of my suffering, is the so-called disease of kings - i.e., gout ...!
III.
Gout, for those who may not know, is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterised by sudden (and often recurrent) attacks of acute pain, redness, and swelling in the joints, most commonly the big toe. The condition is caused by an increased level of uric acid in the bloodstream, which results in the formation of urate crystals in and around the joints.
Historically, it was associated with the wealthy due to the fact that only they could afford to regularly consume rich foods and alcohol and lead (depending on how you view the matter) either shamefully idle or beautifully sedate lifestyles; all recognised risk factors for gout.
However, anyone, it seems, can develop gout, regardless of class or status; although it seems to be a metabolic disorder that mostly afflicts men of a certain age, particularly if the condition runs in the family, as they say; i.e., there's a genetic component. Thus, it's not all about lack of exercise and eating too much red meat or seafood (things rich in purine).
IV.
Anyway, because this is the UK and I can't afford private health care, I have to wait now for 11 days before I can see my GP and he arranges a blood test (why they couldn't have done such at the UTC of my local hospital when I was there for the X-ray yesterday, I don't know).
So it's going to be a while before I know my fate ...
In the meantime, I'm going to keep humming 'Enery the Eighth' [3] and read as many studies on the topic as I can, including George H. Ellwanger's famous meditation (quoted from above) which is notable for its unique approach to the topic (particularly when it comes to potential treatments) and Benjamin Franklin's humorous 'Dialogue Between Franklin and the Gout' (1780), an essay written after waking up one autumn night with an attack of this inflammatory (and most moralistic) condition [4].
Notes
[1] The British caricaturist and printmaker James Gillray (1756-1815) is a fascinating figure, most famous for his etched political and social satires (many of which can be found in the National Portrait Gallery if interested).
Sadly, failing eyesight in his later years meant he was unable to produce work to his usual high standard, producing his last significant print in 1809. Depressed about this, he started drinking heavily; and this undoubtedly played a part in the severity of the gout he was prone to - as well as the madness he fell into.
In July 1811, he unsuccessfully attempted to kill himself by jumping out of a window above the shop on St James's Street owned by Hannah Humphrey, a leading London print seller who published much of Gillray's work, and who cared for him until his death in June 1815. He is buried in St James's churchyard, Piccadilly, should anyone wish to go and pay their respects.
[2] George H. Ellwanger, Meditations on Gout: With A Consideration of its Cure Through the Use of Wine (Dodd Mead & Co., 1897).
[3] 'I'm Henry the VIII, I Am' is a British music hall song by Fred Murray and R. P. Weston, written in 1910. It became a signature song of the music hall star Harry Champion: click here. Joe Brown included a version of the song on his first album A Picture of You in 1962 and, three years later, it became a huge hit for Herman's Hermits: click here to watch them perform it on The Ed Sullivan Show (6 June, 1965).
I'm humming it because Henry VIII is perhaps the first figure who comes to mind - in the UK at least - when one thinks of someone suffering with gout.
[4] Despite exploring the subject with a certain good humour, Franklin experienced frequent and painful attacks of gout that impacted his mobility
and daily life; so no joke really. The essay can be read online by clicking here.
