_November_ 2d. Mr. S----, of B----h----, AEt. 61. Hydrothorax and
swelled legs. Squills were given for a week in very full doses, and
other modes of relief attempted; but his breathing became so bad, his
countenance so livid, his pulse so feeble, and his extremities so
cold, that I was apprehensive upon my second visit that he had not
twenty-four hours to live. In this situation I gave him the Infusum
Digitalis stronger than usual, viz. two drams to eight ounces. Finding
himself relieved by this, he continued to take it, contrary to the
directions given, after the diuretic effects had appeared.
The sickness which followed was truly alarming; it continued at
intervals for many days, his pulse sunk down to forty in a minute,
every object appeared green to his eyes, and between the exertions of
reaching he lay in a state approaching to syncope. The strongest
cordials, volatiles, and repeated blisters barely supported him. At
length, however, he did begin to emerge out of the extreme danger into
which his folly had plunged him; and by generous living and tonics, in
about two months he came to enjoy a perfect state of health.