more full and more regular, and
the swellings of her legs subsided.

26th. Our patient being thus snatched from impending destruction, Dr.
Darwin proposed to give her a decoction of pareira brava and guiacum
shavings, with pills of myrrh and white vitriol; and, if costive, a
pill with calomel and aloes. To these propositions I gave a ready
assent.

30th. This day Dr. Darwin saw her, and directed a continuation of the
medicines last prescribed.

_August_ 1st. I found the patient perfectly free from every appearance
of dropsy, her breath quite easy, her appetite much improved, but
still very weak. Having some suspicion of a diseased liver, I directed
pills of soap, rhubarb, tartar of vitriol, and calomel to be taken
twice a day, with a neutral saline draught.

9th. We visited our patient together, and repeated the draughts
directed on the 26th of _June_, with the addition of tincture of bark,
and also ordered pills of aloes, guiacum, and sal martis to be taken
if costive.

_September_ 10th. From this time the management of the case fell
entirely under my direction, and perceiving symptoms of effusion going
forwards, I desired that a solution of merc. subl. corr. might be
given twice a day.

19th. The increase of the dropsical symptoms now made it necessary to
repeat the Digitalis. The dried leaves were used in infusion, and the
water was presently evacuated, as before.

It is now almost nine years since the Digitalis was first prescribed
for this lady, and notwithstanding I have tried every preventive
method I could devise, the dropsy still continues to recur at times;
but is never allowed to increase so as to cause much distress, for she
occasionally takes the infusion and relieves herself whenever she
chooses. Since the first exhibition of that medicine, very small doses
have been always found sufficient to promote the flow of urine.

I have been more particular in the narrative of this case, partly
because Dr. Darwin has related it rather imperfectly in the notes to
his son's posthumous publication, trusting, I imagine, to memory, and
partly because it was a case which gave rise to a very general use of
the medicine in that part of Shropshire.

CASE V.

_December_ 10th. Mr. L----, AEt. 35. Ascites and anasarca, the
consequence of very intemperate living. After trying squill and other
medicines to no purpose, I directed a decoction of the Fol. Digital.
recent. six drams t