Gout is a disease renowned for affecting the wealthy, and has often been linked to a meat-heavy or “rich man’s” diet. According to the NHS, the condition is a form of arthritis which causes "sudden, severe" joint pain
Gout occurs when crystals of sodium urate form inside and around joints, causing sudden attacks of severe pain and swelling. An attack of gout usually lasts 5 to 7 days, then heals.
Back in Victorian times, gout was extremely common in wealthy people, who lived off diets rich in meat and unhealthy foods. Such foods included alcohol, red meat, organ foods, and seafood, all of which were considered luxuries.
