flow of urine, without sickness or any other
disturbance. The medicine was discontinued; and the next day the urine
continuing to be secreted very plentifully, he lost his most
distressing complaints, was in great spirits, and ate a pretty good
dinner. In the evening, as he was conversing chearfully with some
friends, he stooped forwards, fell from his chair, and died instantly.
Had he been in bed, I think there is reason to believe this fatal
syncope, if such it was, would not have happened.
CASE XXIX.
_February_ 6th. Mr. H----, AEt. 63. A corpulent man; had suffered much
from gout, which for the last year or two had formed very imperfectly.
He had now symptoms of water in his chest, his belly and his legs. An
infusion of Digitalis removed these complaints, and after being
confined for the greater part of the winter, he was well enough to get
abroad again. In the course of a month the dropsical symptoms
returned, and were again removed by the same medicine. Bitters and
tonics were now occasionally prescribed, but his debility gradually
increased, and he died some time afterwards; but the dropsy never
returned.
CASE XXX.
_February_ 17th. Mr. D----, AEt. 50. Ascites and anasarca, with
symptoms of phthisis. He had been a very hard drinker. The infusum
Digitalis removed his dropsical symptoms, and he was sufficiently
recovered to take a journey; but as the spring advanced, the
consumptive symptoms increased, and he died soon afterwards, perfectly
emaciated.
CASE XXXI.
_March_ 5th. I was desired to visit Mrs. H----, a very delicate woman,
who after a severe lying-in, had her legs and thighs swollen to a very
great degree; pale and semi-transparent. I found her extremely faint,
her pulse very small and slow; vomiting violently, and frequently
purging. She was attended by a gentleman who had seen me give the
Digitalis in a similar case of swelled legs after a lying-in (see Case
XXVI.) about six months before. He had not considered that this
patient was delicate, the other robust; nor had he attended to stop
the exhibition of the medicine when its effects began to take place.
The great distress of her situation was evidently owing to the
imprudent and unlimited use of the Digitalis. I was very apprehensive
for her safety; ordered her cordials and volatiles; a free supply of
wine, chamomile tea with brandy for common
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