It is a kind of Dropsy, which in like manner causeth a Tumour or Swelling in the lower Belly, with this difference, that a great deal of Wind is mixt with the Water, which renders the Tumour transparent, and sounding, as it were a Drum; whence this Disease hath taken its Name.
What is the Dropsy call'd Leucophlegmatia?
It is a Tumour, or, to speak more properly; a general Swelling or Bloating of all the other Parts of the Body, as well as of the lower Belly. It is produc'd by a viscous and mucilaginous sort of Phlegm; whence it happens that the Print of the Fingers remains in those places that have been press'd.
What are the particular kinds of Dropsies?
They are those that are incident to different Parts, of which they bear the Names; as the Hydrocephalus, which is the Dropsy of the Head; the Exomphalus, of the Navel, and the Hydrocele of the Scrotum. There is also a Dropsy of the Breast, and that of the Matrix.
What are the Remedies proper for all these sorts of Tumours or Dropsies?
They are in general all those that are agreeable to the Oedema, which are variously us'd, as Liniments, Fomentations, Cataplasms, and Plaisters: Internal Medicines ought also to be much consider'd, as Diaphoreticks, Sudorificks, and Purgatives, when they are assisted by a regular Diet.
A Decoction of the Roots of Briony with Cinnamon and Liquorish, provokes Urine very much; as well as a Decoction of Turneps and Carrets, and an Infusion of Sage in White-Wine.