he debility of age and dropsical
legs had long oppressed him. A few weeks before his death his
breathing became very short, he could not lie down in bed, and his
urine was small in quantity. A wine glass of a weak Infusion of
Digitalis, warmed with aromatics, was ordered to be taken twice a day.
It afforded a temporary relief, but he did not long survive.

CASE LXXXV.

_January_ 28th. Mr. D----, AEt. 35. A publican and a hard drinker.
Ascites, anasarca, diseased viscera, and slight attacks of haemoptoe.
A dram of Fol. Digital. sicc. in a half pint infusion, of which one
ounce was given night and morning, proved diuretic and removed his
dropsy. He then took medicines calculated to relieve his other
complaints. The dropsy did not return during my attendance upon him,
which was three or four weeks. A quack then undertook to cure him with
blue vitriol vomits, but as I am informed, he presently sunk under
that rough treatment.

CASE LXXXVI.

_January_ 29th. Mrs. O----, of D----, AEt. 53. A constant and
distressing palpitation of her heart, with great debility. From a
degree of anasarca in her legs I was led to suspect effusion in the
Pericardium, and therefore directed Digitalis, but it produced no
benefit. She then took various other medicines with the same want of
success, and about ten months afterwards died suddenly.

CASE LXXXVII.

_January_ 31st. Mr. T----, of A----, AEt. 81. Great difficulty of
breathing, so that he had not lain in bed for the last six weeks, and
some swelling in his legs. These complaints were subsequent to a very
severe cold, and he had still a troublesome cough. He told me that at
his age he did not look for a cure, but should be glad of relief, if
it could be obtained without taking much medicine. I directed an
Infusion of Digitalis, a dram to eight ounces, one spoonful to be
taken every morning, and two at night. He only took this quantity; for
in four days he could lie down, and soon afterwards quitted his
chamber. In a month he had a return of his complaints, and was
relieved as before.

CASE LXXXVIII.

_January_ 31st. Mrs. J----, of S----, AEt. 67. A lusty woman, of a
florid complexion, large belly, and very thick legs. She had been kept
alive for some years by the discharge from ulcers in her legs; but the
sores now put on a very disagreeable livid appearance,