every attempt at relief, I have been aiming, for
some time past, to make such a change in the constitution of the
patient, as might give a chance of success to the Digitalis.

By blood-letting, by neutral salts, by chrystals of tartar, squills,
and occasional purging, I have succeeded, though imperfectly. Next to
the use of the lancet, I think nothing lowers the tone of the system
more effectually than the squill, and consequently it will always be
proper, in such cases, to use the squill; for if that fail in its
desired effect, it is one of the best preparatives to the adoption of
the Digitalis.

A tendency to paralytic affections, or a stroke of the palsy having
actually taken place, is no objection to the use of the Digitalis;
neither does a stone existing in the bladder forbid its use.
Theoretical ideas of sedative effects in the former, and apprehensions
of its excitement of the urinary organs in the latter case, might
operate so as to make us with-hold relief from the patient; but
experience tells me, that such apprehensions are groundless.

INFERENCES.

To prevent any improper influence, which the above recitals of the
efficacy of the medicine, aided by the novelty of the subject, may
have upon the minds of the younger part of my readers, in raising
their expectations to too high a pitch, I beg leave to deduce a few
inferences, which I apprehend the facts will fairly support.

I. That the Digitalis will not universally act as a diuretic.

II. That it does do so more generally than any other medicine.

III. That it will often produce this effect after every other probable
method has been fruitlessly tried.

IV. That if this fails, there is but little chance of any other
medicine succeeding.

V. That in proper doses, and under the management now pointed out, it
is mild in its operation, and gives less disturbance to the system,
than squill, or almost any other active medicine.

VI. That when dropsy is attended by palsy, unsound viscera, great
debility, or other complication of disease, neither the Digitalis, nor
any other diuretic can do more than obtain a truce to the urgency of
the symptoms; unless by gaining time, it may afford opportunity for
other medicines to combat and subdue the original disease.

VII. That the Digitalis may be used with advantage in every species of
dropsy, except the encysted.

VIII. That it may be made subservient to the cure of disease