two of the
infusion.

CASE XXI.

_January_ 5th. Mrs. M----, AEt. 69. Hydrothorax, (called asthma)
ascites and anasarca. I directed an infusion of Fol. Digital. siccat.
three drams to a pint; a small wine glass to be taken every third or
fourth hour. It made her violently sick, acted powerfully as a
diuretic, set her breath perfectly at liberty, and carried off the
swelling of her legs; when she was nearly emptied, she became so
languid, that I thought it necessary to order cordials, and a large
blister to her back. Mr. Ward, who attended as her apothecary, tells
me she had some return of her asthma in _June_ and _October_
following, which was each time removed by the same medicine.

CASE XXII.

_January_ 11th. Mr. H----, AEt. 59. Ascites and general anasarca. A
large corpulent man, and a hard drinker: he had repeatedly suffered
under complaints of this kind, but had been always relieved by the
judicious assistance of Dr. Ash. In the present instance, however, not
finding relief as usual from the prescriptions of my worthy friend, he
sent for me; after examining into his situation, and informing myself
what had been done to relieve him, I was satisfied that the Digitalis
was the only medicine from which I had any thing to hope. It was
therefore directed; but another patient requiring my assistance at a
distance from town, I desired he would not begin the medicine before I
returned, which would be early on the third day; for I was well aware
of the difficulties before me, and that he would inevitably sink under
too rapid an evacuation of the water. On my return I was informed,
that the preceding evening, as he sat on his chair, his head sunk upon
his breast, and he died.

This case, as well as case VI. is mentioned with a view to demonstrate
to younger practitioners, how sudden and unexpected the deaths of
dropsical patients sometimes happen, and how cautious we should be in
assigning causes for effects.

CASE XXIII.

_August_ 31st. Mr. C----, AEt. 57. Diseased viscera, jaundice, ascites
and anasarca. After trying calomel, saline draughts, jallap purges,
chrystals of tartar, pills of gum ammoniac, squills, and soap, sal
succini, eleterium, &c. infusion of Digitalis was directed, which
removed all his urgent symptoms, and he recovered a pretty good state
of health.

CASE XXIV.

_Sep