Gout May Not Be a Contraindication
Some authorities believe that, since sun-baths raise the calcium content of the blood and since this condition already exists in gout, gout is a contraindication to the use of sunlight as a therapeutic agent. This opinion is not unanimous, and too few cases of genuine gout are met with these days for physicians to know definitely what the influence of sunlight would be. If the baths were given with much caution but persistently, they would, no doubt, be very helpful; but in such conditions considerable care must be taken not to give very cold or very prolonged cool applications after the bath. The water at first should be between 75 and 85 degrees, and should be applied for only twenty to sixty seconds; then from day to day the temperature should be gradually lowered until it is from 65 to 60 degrees. If the cold or cool water is applied directly to the affected joints, the pain will be in- creased; hence this should be avoided. The tepid sponge, shower, fan douche, or broken horizontal jet will be the most suitable form of application in these cases.