_September_ 12th. Miss C---- of T----, AEt 48. An ovarium dropsy, and
anasarcous legs and thighs. For three months in the beginning of this
year she had been under the care of Dr. Darwin, who at different times
had given her blue vitriol, elaterium, and calomel; decoction of
pareira brava, and guiacum wood, with tincture of cantharides; oxymel
of squills, decoction of parsley roots, &c. Finding no relief, she
discontinued the use of medicines, until the urgency of her symptoms
induced her to ask my advice about the end of _August_. She was
greatly emaciated, and had almost a total loss of appetite. I first
tried small doses of Merc. sublim. corr. in solution, with decoction
of burdock roots, and blisters to the thighs. No advantage attending
the use of this plan, I directed a decoction of Fol. Digit. a dram and
half to a pint; one ounce to be taken twice a day. It presently
reduced the anasarcous swellings, but made no alteration in the
distension of the abdomen.