_March_ 16th. Mr. D----, AEt. 70. A paralytic stroke had for some weeks
past impaired the use of his left side, and he complained much of his
breath, and of a straitness across his stomach; at length, an anasarca
and ascites appearing, I had no doubt as to the cause of the former
symptoms; but, upon account of his advanced age, and the paralytic
affection, I hesitated to give the Digitalis, and therefore tried the
other usual modes of practice, until at length his breath would not
permit him to lie down in bed, and his other symptoms increased so
rapidly as to threaten a speedy dissolution. In this dilemma I
ventured to prescribe an infusion of the Fol. siccat. Digital. which
presently excited a copious flow of urine, and made him very sick; a
strong infusion of chamomile flowers, with brandy, relieved the
sickness, but the diuretic effects of the Digitalis continuing, his
dropsy was removed, and his breathing became easy. The palsy remained
nearly in the same state. He lived until _August_ 1782, and without
any return of the dropsy.