Kitap 2
12
ARTHRITIS is a general pain of all the joints; that of the feet we call Podagra; that of the hip-joint, Schiatica; that of the hand, Chiragra. The pain then is either sudden, arising from some temporary cause; or the disease lies concealed for a long time, when the pain and the disease are kindled up by any slight cause. It is, in short, an affection of all the nerves, if the ailment being increased extend to all; the first affected are the nerves which are the ligaments of the joints, and such as have their origin and insertion in the bones. There is a great wonder in regard to them; there is not the slightest pain in them, although you should cut or squeeze them; but if pained of themselves, no other pain is stronger than this, not iron screws, nor cords, not the wound of a sword, nor burning fire, for these are often had recourse to as cures for still greater pains; and if one cut them when they are pained, the smaller pain of the incision is obscured by the greater; and, if it prevail, they experience pleasure in forgetting their former sufferings. The teeth and bones are affected thus.
