Judging the Use of Cassia had been continued long enough, I advised Marsh-mallows Suffumigations to be taken twice a Day, and a soft Pultis of the Quatre Farines to be applied to her Temples. These were used for a whole Month, at the latter End of which the Scale was reduced to Twenty-two Inches; that is, the Patient could tell the Hour by the same Watch at Twenty-two Inches Distance.
As her Humours appeared well diluted, in order to remove the Obstruction of the ocular Muscles, and promote the reducing of their Bulk, I desired to have some Sparks drawn from the Canthi of her Eyes, but was opposed by her Mother, who having imbibed a strong Prejudice against such Remedy, never would consent to it. Here I took Leave of my Patient.
Ten Days after I was sent for by her Father, who, after a short Apology, told me, “if I was still of Opinion that Electrization would be of any Service to his Daughter, my Advice should be followed.” I answered in the Affirmative.
The next Morning a few Sparks were drawn accordingly. However, to estimate the Effect of the electrical Fluid in this Case, I previously repeated the Observation with the Watch, and found no Alteration in my Patient’s Sight, since I had discontinued to attend her.
In the Evening a few Sparks likewise were drawn. The same was repeated for many a Day, having Care, at every Time, to increase the Number of Sparks.
She advanced but slowly towards her Recovery; for at the Beginning of the fourth Week the Scale was reduced only to 18 Inches.
Astonished at so inconsiderable a Progress, I allowed some Intermission to my Patient. During that Time, enquiring into what could have checked the Efficacy of a Remedy I so much relied upon, I made the following Reflection:—That since electrical Sparks acted only as stimulating, they possibly could neither deobstruct nor reduce swelled Parts, as long as there was a Redundancy of Blood. To diminish its Mass, I therefore had Recourse to Bleeding, and the next Day Electrization was re-assumed.
The Event justified my Expectation; for drawing Sparks had not been continued eight Days, but the Scale was reduced to 13 Inches.
I had then a Mind to repeat Bleeding, but was obliged to postpone it, on Account of the Weakness of my Patient.
Having been bled a second Time, a Plaister of Tacamahaca was applied to both her Temples, and Electrization continued. A few Days after the Scale was reduced to Nine Inches.