For centuries, gout was known as the disease of kings. The affliction is triggered by a diet rich in meat and wine plus a sedentary lifestyle, and until the 20th century, most gout sufferers were wealthy, if not royalty. King Charles V of Spain suffered from gout, as did Alexander the Great, Charlemagne, and Benjamin Franklin. In a desperate attempt to follow orders, doctors invented some out-of-the-box cures.

One physician recommended eating roast kitten to cure gout. Another suggested transferring the disease to a tree, preferably an oak or poplar. Founding Father Benjamin Rush suggested heavy bloodletting to cure the disease, while a reverend suggested raisins soaked in brandy. In the 19th century, physicians realized that gout was caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. But that medical advance didn't necessarily lead to better treatments. In fact, one medical text suggested radioactive water and X-rays as possible treatments - both of which could prove to be worse than gout.