The Glorification of Gout: When Pain Was Seen as Prestige
Dr. Kumar’s Take
This fascinating historical study reveals how gout was once seen not as a disease to be feared, but as something to be admired. From the 16th to 18th centuries, gout was glorified as a mark of wealth, a protector against other illnesses, and even a booster of sexual vitality. While we now know gout is a painful and dangerous form of arthritis caused by uric acid crystals, it is striking to see how culture once reframed suffering into a symbol of status and strength.