Stourbridge,
May 17, 1785.
The three following Hospital Cases, which Dr. Stokes had an opportunity of observing, are related as instances of bad practice, and tend to demonstrate how necessary it is when one physician adopts the medicine of another, that he should also at first rigidly adopt his method.
CASE I.
Esther K——, Æt. 33. General anasarca, ascites, and dyspnœa, of seven months duration.
Decoct. c Digit. ʒiv. c. aq. ℔i. coquend. ad ℔ss. cap. ℥i. 2dis. horis. 1st Day. 4th dose made her sick. 2d Day. The first dose she took to-day produced vomiting.
3d Day. Minuatur dosis ad ℥ss. This stayed upon her stomach, but produced an almost constant sickness. Stools more frequent, water scarce sensibly increased; and her swellings not at all reduced.
4th Day. Cap. Calomel. gambog. scill. &c.
Obs. Sufficient time was not allowed to observe its effects, neither was the patient enjoined the free use of diluents. The disease terminated fatally.
CASE II.
William T——, Æt. 42. Ascites, with cough and dyspnœa. Abdomen very much distended. The rest of his body highly emaciated. Urine thick, high coloured, and in very small quantity.