CASE LXXXVII.
January 31st. Mr. T——, of A——, Æt. 81. Great difficulty of breathing, so that he had not lain in bed for the last six weeks, and some swelling in his legs. These complaints were subsequent to a very severe cold, and he had still a troublesome cough. He told me that at his age he did not look for a cure, but should be glad of relief, if it could be obtained without taking much medicine. I directed an Infusion of Digitalis, a dram to eight ounces, one spoonful to be taken every morning, and two at night. He only took this quantity; for in four days he could lie down, and soon afterwards quitted his chamber. In a month he had a return of his complaints, and was relieved as before.
CASE LXXXVIII.
January 31st. Mrs. J——, of S——, Æt. 67. A lusty woman, of a florid complexion, large belly, and very thick legs. She had been kept alive for some years by the discharge from ulcers in her legs; but the sores now put on a very disagreeable livid appearance, her belly grew still larger, her breath short, her pulse feeble, and she could not take nourishment. Several medicines having been given in vain, the Digitalis was tried, but with no better effect; and in about a month she died.
CASE LXXXIX.
February 2d. Mr. B——, Æt. 73. An universal dropsy. He took various medicines, and Digitalis in small doses, but without any good effect.
CASE XC.
February 24th. Master M——, of W——, Æt. 10. An epilepsy of some years continuance, which had never been interrupted by any of the various methods tried for his relief. The Digitalis was given for a few days, but as he lived at a distance, so that I could not attend to its effects, he only took one half pint infusion, which made no alteration in his complaint.
CASE XCI.
March 6th. Mr. H——, Æt. 62. A very hard drinker, and had twice had attacks of apoplexy. He had now an ascites, was anasarcous, and had every appearance of a diseased liver. Small doses of calomel, Dover's powder, infusum amarum, and sal sodæ palliated his symptoms for a while; these failing; blisters, squills, and cordials were given without effect. A weak Infusion of Digitalis, well aromatised, was then directed to be given in small doses. It rather seemed to check than to increase the secretion of urine, and soon produced sickness. Failing in its usual effect, the medicine was no longer continued; but every thing that was tried proved equally inefficacious, and he did not long survive.