Conquest of the gout

With students such as Hippocrates, Galen, Paracelsus, Sydenham, Herberden, Harvey, Cheyne, Boerhaave and Paŕe, the history of "The Gout" (L. gutta-drop), more than any other disorder, parallels the history of Western medicine. It also played important parts in modifying American and European culture and history. Such was the fear and honor it commanded in the last 3,000 years, that over a score of saints and holy men are credited with its cure. Long stated to be a disease of the upper class, at one time, it was considered so stylish that it was said that the only thing worse than having it was to be cured.