I have/had gout. It's a form of arthritis that results from excessive purines in the diet. Controlling the purines reduces the formation of uric acid which attacks the joints and causes the excruciating pain. Alas, I've had to give up a lot of my favorite foods because of their excessive purine content -- beef, pork, shellfish and certain other fish and turkey. No venison allowed either. It's a very restricted diet, but as long as I follow it, I'm not in pain. Trust me folks -- gout is one affliction you never want to have.
Gout has been around for centuries, principally among royalty and nobility. Henry VIII is said to have suffered from gout as did many in his court. Old Henry used to have enormous feasts lasting hours at which plenty of red meat, venison and such were served and consumed. Being grossly obese as Henry was in his later years probably didn't help his gout either. I suppose that's why gout is considered a disease of the rich. Centuries ago, the poor couldn't afford to gorge themselves as the upper crust could.
