_December_ 8th. A man about fifty years of age, who had formerly been
a builder, but was now much reduced in his circumstances, complained
to me of an asthma which first attacked him about the latter end of
autumn. His breath was very short, his countenance was sunken, his
belly large; and, upon examination, a fluctuation in it was very
perceptible. His urine for some time past had been small in quantity.
I directed a decoction of Fol. Digital. recent. which made him very
sick, the sickness recurring at intervals for several days, during
which time he made a large quantity of water. His breath gradually
drew easier, his belly subsided, and in about ten days he began to
eat with a keen appetite. He afterwards took steel and bitters.
1776.