ine in the same dose until the 20th of _September_, discharging
from six to eight pints of water each day for the first week, and
which quantity gradually diminished as she became empty. During this
period she complained not of any sickness, except from the lixivium,
which was after the first dose reduced to 20 drops; and her appetite
and strength increased daily, though it was evident that no bile had
yet flowed into the bowels, nor was the digestion at all improved. The
anasarcous appearances being then removed, the Digitalis was omitted,
and pills, composed of mercur. cinereus, aloes, and sal tartari
directed twice a day, with [Symbol: dram]i. of vin. chalybeat. in
infus. amar. simpl.
Her amendment in other respects proceeded slowly, but regularly, from
that time until the 9th of October; when the state of plethora again
recurring, with its usual attendant symptoms, [Symbol: ounce]iv. of
blood were taken from the arm; and this was upon the same occasion,
repeated in the following month, with manifest good consequences;
though in both instances the colour of the blood, as flowing from the
vein could hardly be called red, and the coagulum was as weak in its
cohesion as possible. The state of the stomach and bowels was by this
time greatly improved, in common with other parts of the system; but
no intromission of bile had yet happened: the hardness about the
hypogastric region, though less, continued in a considerable degree,
and you ordered pills of mercury rubbed down, and rust of iron, to be
taken twice a day, with a decoction of dandelion and sal sodae.
A cataplasm of linseed was applied every night over the stomach and
right side; and, with little deviation from this plan, she continued
to the end of the year, improving in her general health, but the
hepatic affection yet remaining. It was then determined to try the
effects of electricity, and gentle shocks were passed through the body
daily, and as nearly as could be through the liver, in various
directions.
On the fifth day there was reason to think that some gall had been
secreted and poured out, and this became every day more evident; but
it flowed only in small quantity, and irregularly into the bowels, as
appeared from the faeces being partially tinged by it.
In _February_ the lady left this neighbourhood, and though
convalescent, yet so nearly well as to promise us the satisfaction of
seeing her perfectly restored.
_June_ 29. The bile is now secre
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