A Podagric Foment.
Take Ground Pine, Southernwood, each 4 handfuls; boil in Water 3 quarts to 2 quarts; in the strain'd dissolve (168, 169) Salt of Tarter, and Salt Armoniac, each 2 ounces.
It maintains and roborates the Tone of the part, appeases the irritation and excandescence of the Spirits resining in the Fibrillae, and either fastens upon the Arthritic Salts, draws them out, of else precipitates and hinders them from dolorific Effervecencies. And (which makes it safe) in the mean time repelleth not at all, for Repellents in the Gout are sometimes most exceeding dangerous, because they may drive the Morbific matter to the Stomach or Brain.
Thomas Fuller
Pharmacopeia Extemporanea 1710