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"The victim of gout may show remarkable mental and
even bodily vigor. Certain of the most distinguished members of our profession
have been terrible sufferers from this disease, notably the elder Scaliger,
Jerome Cardan, and Sydenham, whose statement that 'more wise men than fools
are victims of the affection' still holds good."
Notes:
- In the 8th edition of Principles and Practice (1912), Osler reversed himself,
saying: "Among distinguished members of our profession who have been terrible
sufferers were the elder Scaliger, Jerome Cardan and Sydenham. The statement
of the latter, however, that 'more wise men than fools are victims' of the
affection, does not hold good to-day."
- H. E. MacDermot cited the following speculation as to why Osler made this
change: "Dr. Malloch thinks that the change was made because Sir William had
come to realize that he himself was experiencing the 'lispings,' reference
to which is made in all the editions…" (MacDermot HE. Notes on the early editions
of Osler's textbook of medicine. Ann Med Hist 6:224-240, 1934.)
- "A common gouty manifestation, upon which Duckworth has laid stress, is
the occurrence of hot or itching feet at night. Plutarch mentions that Strabo
called this symptom 'the lisping of the gout.'" (Principles and Practice of
Medicine, 4th edition.)
- Sydenham, Thomas