Figure 32.13 Gout. (A) Gout, “the king of diseases and the disease of kings,” has been recognized as a malady since antiquity. Gout was believed to result from excessive food and drink consumption, excesses available only to the rich. Because of the pain in his inflamed leg, the corpulent musician feels as if he is being tortured by the devil. (B) Micrograph of sodium urate crystals. The accumulation of these crystals damages joints and kidneys.