If you've read a Regency book or two (or a few hundred), you've probably come across a gentleman suffering from gout. Well, there's a good reason for that. A physician from that time stated most Georgian England gentleman would have gout by the age of 50.
But what is gout?
If you're anything like me, I first imagined it was a gut disease. Gout/Gut, they are kinda close. Yeah, okay... Moving on.
Further reading gave me the impression it had something to do with the knee or foot. And I think we've probably had enough of my guessing by now!
Gout is actually a type of arthritis. It can be any joint that is inflamed, but most commonly the big toe. The attacks are sudden and severe (ouch!). Symptoms fade away in a few days to weeks (this last bit really surprised me).
People still get gout today, although modern cases are generally due to genetics (I've recently had a few suffers share their experience with me, and I deeply appreciate their input). In Georgian England time, the biggest contributing factors were lack of exercise and a diet rich in meats, seafood, and alcohol. Not the romantic side of regency period for sure.
So, now we know what gout is, but how did they try to get rid of it way back when?
Three Treatments for Gout from Georgian England
There was the ever-popular cure-all 'taking the waters' at Bath like the Admiral tries in Persuasion (his walk with Anne probably did him more good than sipping the mineral waters of Bath).
Swimming in the ocean was also popular. That probably would have helped since it was exercise.
One of Jane Austen's brothers tried to treat his gout with electrocution. Lucy Worsley in her book Jane Austen at Home quoted Jane as saying she was 'expecting no advantage from it.' I'm inclined to agree with her, but then, I'm not an expert.
I'm sure there were probably a lot more treatments. If you know any, pop it in the comments!
Hearts Unknown
Cover Reveal Coming August 24th!
When the heart longs for what it cannot have, toes aren't safe on the ballroom floors of this 1763 Georgian England romance!
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